I've spent a few good hours searching for a good Poser ready Vader. I found one, but the "inside" of the helmet seems to be transparent, allowing the background to show where it shouldn't. Same for the mouth right under the breathing mechanism. (For reference, the model I was using was the one from the free stuff file Luke vs. Vader) I did a search through the forums, but most of the links were dead (some of the posts went back to 01). Okay, long story short, does anyone know where to find a good Poser ready Vader? I've found one for MAX (by Nick Pappas) that's excellent - only thing is the joints aren't connected and it's not ready for animation (which is what I want it for). begs on knees for help Does anyone know where Vader's hiding these days? I mean, I know he's probably a bit miffed about the whole Prequel thing, but... ;) Thanks for anyone's help in advance... Damsel in distress signing out...

I haven't downloaded the one from 3D Gladiators and don't know if it's the same one you already have. Try their files section under Star Wars... http://www.3dgladiators.com/ Hope you find Vader! :) Lee

Hi Lee! Yup. The one from 3dgladiators seems to be the same as the one in the Luke vs. Vader file on "Free Stuff" (at least as far as I can tell. If the helmet didn't show up as transparent in the back, it'd be great, but I can't seem to solve that problem. :) Thanks!

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It might show thru the backfaces when in preview mode, but it should render o.k. Too bad Poser doesn't have a "Smart Backfaces" command like some other 3D apps. One trick to handle backfaces is to add thickness to the surfaces in your 3D modeller.

No, it doesn't render okay. There is no backplate for WarriorDL's helmet, just the front mask and the samurai hood-thingy.

I'd recommend visiting Sci-Fi 3D and downloading one of the many fine Vader figures available there in .3ds format, in order to salvage the helmet, but some assembly would be required.

All of the Vader files import into Poser with the mask portion of the helmet offset to the left. However, you could use the grouping tool to select and spawn new props for both helmet and mask, then move the pieces into alignment.

You could use the grouping tool and reverse the normals on the helmet. That would work as well.

Thanks everyone for replying!

Indeed, the model that I was admiring in .3ds format was the one from Sci-Fi 3d. It's perfect and I did import it as a .3ds file and it was just exactly as you specified, Little Dragon. :)

I took the model into the setup room and saw that it had imported as one large object instead of the broken pieces as it was originally. So, here's my question because this is the first time I've ever had to work with bones in the Setup room - how do I break the object up once I am in the setup room?

Also, if I ever get this working, John, I'll definitely be checking out your sabres. :)

Thanks you guys for all the help! :D

You use the grouping tool. Once you've set up your bones, open the grouping tool and click the AutoGroup button. This will create new groups for the mesh, automatically assigning mesh elements to the nearest bones. Unfortunately, it's far from perfect, and you'll likely spend a great deal of time reassigning polys from one group to another.

Remember to use the weld function on each body part after you've finished grouping.

Pretty neat, but how do you animate that then, lol. (Numanoid wanders off thinking of cool way to make laser blase in Poser that can be animated and look exactly like that. As though he doesn't have enough to do already.)

PS: The texture and trans didn't fade for the end tip but you get the idea.

Nope, I have a better idea, give me a few days. I'll make a really cool light saber that works. Really works. Hmmmm..........

Well after a statement like that you had better. :)

show me the tip of your sabre. I want to see how the end came out.

Sorry, I didn't realize the tip wasn't showing, was in a big rush. This is a very simple low res version of the idea I have got. I made it out of primitives, a half ball and a morphing cylinder. I need to make a proper "sheath" that has thickening at the bottom and tapers towards the tip, so that the glow is uniform throughout the blade section.

When I finish the Aliens stuff I will make a decent hi-res version of it and tweak it a bit to fit any lightsabre and to make the colours easily changable from red, to blue, to purple or whatever. The only advantage my way has got is for animations, the lengthening looks a better better in an animation than if you use the transmap and texture method, and the colours are easier to change than having to redo a texture map. For still renders I still prefer the method you showed above, it has the blurring effect I can't achieve by this method, but for animations I prefer this method. By setting the motion blur you can get some really nice Star Wars type light arcs.

I will get back to this. I have two weeks to finish all the Aliens stuff and I don't think I will get it finished, so I have no time to do this properly now.

Very nice effect and Ouch! :) I'm assuming Dork is insured for loss of limbs? Hehehe....

Bookmarking some of my old tutorials

AKtutorialbookmark

EllPro has made a gorgeous Darth Vader character. It's available at raunchyminds dot com (warning, that is an adult site)

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