Are these bases upgraded with the past service release fixes, or are they the same old base? I'd rather archive one fixed EXE file than the old base and the SR packs, so I thought I'd ask before adding them to my DAZ account.

Lots of new entrys are added to Daz People Library. Mike and Victoria Sr1 Sr2 and SAE. Seems like the V3 face Morphs are added as well. Not sure about the Mikes.

Seems like the Mikes too. All the !M3 Expressions are there. Bu conicidence. Just before downloading I was trying to make Mikes mouth open and it wouldn't work at all. Even reinstalling the blighter still didn't work - installed the new freebie and it's all fine. Though one question - why give away your top models ?

Message edited on: 01/05/2005 16:32

Message edited on: 01/05/2005 16:32

Hmm...need the head and body morph packages I think...probably redirect he loose, spare change I've been saving to purchese the V3/M3 packages to the morph packages...love that they gave them away.

It appears they've included some head or expression morphs, as in the Vicky 3 SAE update. At any rate, this is great for people who are just getting started, or just couldn't afford to buy Vicky 3 or Mike 3. Hey, I already have them, but I'm more excited on behalf of others than myself!!! Besides, this looks like just part of DAZ's plan for 2005.

Don't get the head/body morph packages just yet... I saw a V3/M3 combined package come up in the "Top Sellers" column, but clicking on it gave a "no such item". Looks like there are more changes still working through the system. I'll look again in a few more days and see if everything's settled down yet.

What is Victoria 3 SAE? That seems to be a new one. It wasn't in my old folder.

Just got a Daz newsletter - for the benefit of those who don't get it...Heres the important bits.... "Michael 3.0 and Victoria 3.0 are available for free (indefinitely). SPECIAL REBATE OFFER: Since V3 and M3 are now available free, everyone who has purchased either the full or upgrade versions of these two figures in the past is eligible for a rebate in the form of a voucher. Everyone who is eligible for any of these rebate vouchers has three months to claim their voucher. These rebate vouchers will be good for 90 days from the date they are issued to your account. Anyone who has purchased any of these items within the past thirty days may request a full refund via the link below, also. For a complete explanation of the rebate vouchers, visit the DAZ Forum, and read this thread: Special Announcement from DAZ for 2005 Get the V3 & M3 Morphs for less! Complete your Victoria 3.0 and Michael 3.0 figures with their full head and body morph packs all together for one low price! You can either order V3's or M3's head & body morphs for only $17.82 (while on sale), or you can get both V3's and M3's full head & body morphs all together for only $29.72, if you're a Platinum Club member. " Al

Thanks everyone for the information... very helpful, especially the pics.

They look so hideous without the facial morphs that it's almost required to buy the expansions...

Well, I guess I am excited for everyone thirsting to get on the V/M stream.....more power to you and to Daz, who are coming out of the 2005 gate with an obviously aggressive marketing plan. You have to admire the establishment of the V/M brand and identity, the great community of support that has grown up around it, and the wealth of vendors developing product into the stream.

And thank you Daz for the voucher for everyone who purchased V and M. I will be taking advantage of that myself.

That having been said, with all sincerity....

Here are the numbers. Under standard pricing, it has taken $210. to get to the ground floor of V/M.

base $40
head morphs $20
body morphs $20
hi-res textures $25

Times two, to get both characters. That's $210.00.
Now, you get the bases free. that saves $80.00, a fundamental roll back of 38%.

And here is my two cents worth contrarian viewpoint, take it or leave it...
Getting to base camp only gets you INTO the V/M world. Then the spending can really begin. I simply have to say that. There is nothing wrong per se with the V/M path, I am just suggesting new people have their eyes open on the way in. The only difference, then versus now, is $80.00 (and yes you may temporarily get the morphs on sale upcoming). All other budgeting to be IN the V/M world has not changed.

Another path is to learn tools. You will get a great education including marketable job skills, get free of the constraints of the Unimesh/V/M stream, save money and get control of your artwork. Remember, the unimesh characters all have deformed shoulders/upper arms and absurd inside elbow creases, and they are a heck of a nuisance (that was euphemistic) to animate because of the high poly count.

Two related threads on this subject, here and here.

::::: Opera :::::

You also get a package deal on the body morphs for both Vicky 3 & Mike 3. The savings keep on coming.

Operaguy, your point is certainly well taken, especially for those wor have an interest in 3D as a career or a very serious avocation, so well said. In terms of how many people that encompasses though, I think it is a tiny minority. It's the equivalent of saying to computer users, "don't get locked into the Microsoft path, grab a C++ compiler and and start learning to write your own operating system." I'd say even if your goal is the latter, this is a great free opportunity to get working examplee of commercial grade models, a benchmark if you will, to guage your own progress. When you can model something better, voila, you've arrived :-)

Good point, well taken. However, I believe more would try the more difficult path if they were encouraged. Also, there is a 'middle way' where you use less expensive base products and what I would call 'middleware' tools. For instance, the purchase of EJ and and few textures, then learn to create distinct characters from those morphs, and learning to make your own clothing. It's not either $500 budget for Daz and it will "do everything" VERSUS 'start learning modeling by writing your own modelling software in C++'. There IS a middle ground. Anyone listening is invited to view those two attached links. ::::: Opera :::::

I agree completely. I think anyone who has an interest should at least dip a toe into modeling with one of the free programs and try doing perhaps simple props and then clothing or figure morphs. People seem to prefer Wingz but Geralday has done some amazing stuff with Anim8tor, including very nice human figures. There's definitely a path that can be as shallow or steep as you want to make it between dial twiddling and figure creation with one very steep hill in the middle, modeling. I think modeling is very much something that you either "get" or you don't. It almost seems to be dependent on how your brain is wired. Even if you have the knack, V3 is pretty tall cotton. I admire anyone who can do a passable Poser 1 female.

question when istalling these new freebies....will they be indepent characters in poser or will they overwrite the v2and m2 i already have?? want to find out before it do it..lol thanks netta

"will they be independent characters" yes

See the illustration above, showing the figures in the DAZ People Library.

And there you have it, Daz's great market plan, get the bases for free and make up for it with buying the morph's. For me, I like the textures the best. Free for good? hmm, sounds to me like they plan on discontinuing these items. I work in retail and this is what a store would do to get rid of out dated items. ;)

base $40 >head morphs $20 >body morphs $20 >hi-res textures $25 >Times two, to get both characters. That's $210.00. >Now, you get the bases free. that saves $80.00, a fundamental roll back of 38%. With the new morph pack sales you can get it even cheaper. If youre a PC member, you can get the both bases, body and head morphs and (standard) textures for both for a total just under $60 which makes it like 70% off.

yes, for the moment. Normally Daz does not put the morphs and textures on sale. They will go back up. And I repeat, what is your actual overall budget for entering the V/M stream, and why is it that this "sudden" sale and markdown makes such a huge difference, since $80.00 is a small portion of what I imagine the typical V/M budget to be, say, over 3 years. ::::: Opera :::::

That's a real $80 right now and it removes a substantial barrier to entry. Once you have the base, you're free to but as much or as little of the other stuff as you choose. It's a bargain, nothing complicated or mysterious about it. Like it or not, the "stream" is one many people wish to partake of Through judicious use of free items and sales, you can spend relatively little or you can go whole hog--you can sip or you can guzzle. People make decisions every day that tie them into a particular brand or company. I don't see Daz as being any worse than the others. I don't think anyone here is blind to the fact that if you want to you can spend a small fortune on something that is a mini-world unto itself and will certainly be "superseded" by the next big thing. That's the mainstream and it's where most folks are at. Sure, you can morph and model your way to "independence" but when you add up the hours at any reasonable $/hour rate, you end up spending much more for maybe an equivalent result. Yes, you've gained invaluable skills but again, that's not where most people want to invest their time. The stream isn't the river Styx, it's the Mississippi. It and it's assorted 3rd party tributaries are the lifeblood of Poser. Feel free to go against the current and carve out your own channel, just don't expect a lot of barge traffic. OK, no more riverine metaphors :-)

The old Gillette strategy: Give 'em the razor, then sell 'em the blades. Clever. Very welcome too I might add.

I thought that was Daz3D's strategy all along! LOL