...Is a third party application required such as Poser or is there a plug-in or technique to set up imported OBJ files to be used as posable props in DAZ Studio? I'm an illustrator (2D) who is currently learning Maya and realize it will be a long while before I am able to make my own human characters so in order to create the scenes I imagine I would like to use DAZ Studio in the interim. I've begun creating props (With hinges) but am not sure how to make them posable in DAZ. All insight is appreciated.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/freestuff.ez?Form.Contrib=mcv&Topsectionid=0

Actually there is no possibility to create bones in DazStudio, but to have some movable props you can build your object in different parts that can be rotated after. A nice example is "Brut Morphing Robot" by MCV that you can download for free here at renderosity. The Robot was created 100% in DazStudio using the primitive plug-in. Some morphs were also added for linear movements. I do not know if this will help for your props but it could be a solution. Jacques

If you have an OBJ file then it is possible to set it up using a text editor but it is laborious and you will find that it is worth the price to just buy Poser.

...It is as I was afraid it is. Looks like I'll be installing my copy of Poser 5 on my new(ish) Mac.

As it is, I've used Poser in the past, I've just always loathed the user interface and found it for me extremely unintuitive to use which is so frustrating when I look around and see so many other artists creating such beautiful art with it.

DAZ on the other hand I've found more inviting, still a little frustrating at times but still as said more inviting.

Anyhow, since DAZ as of this point has no joint or bone editor it looks like I'll just have to just bite my lip and use Maya to design my props, Poser to reconstruct them, and DAZ to utilize them in scenes. Eventually I hope to just do everything in Maya for my own art but still be able to distribute props for Poser and DAZ users. Until then, it will be just one educational step after another.

Thank you again jroulin and bcoleman for your assistance in answering my inquiry.

Message edited on: 01/22/2006 17:00

Message edited on: 01/22/2006 17:00

I don't know if this is any help for you as it is a bit round about, but I have 'Caligari' Truespace. You can make cob files and I think you can save them as obj files and I know I can export them to Bryce to do scenery. Bryce can export things (NOT BOOLEAN OBJECTS!) to Studio, I haven't used Maya so I don't know if it can export to there. Caligari also has Gamespace that is similar. Both have free trial versions although Gamespace is limited to a small export file. Best of luck. jenny

The problem isn't static props, as long as they can be exported in OBJ format, but posable items.

I would take a look at carrara even standard or older version(user friendly). It can model and texture, as well as MANY other things. You can also use silo or hex for modeling then texture elsewhere.

...I believe there has been some sort of misunderstanding. I'm not looking for a 3D modeling application; I have one it is Maya 7 and while I'm far from a pro I am advanced enough to be able to create props which I would like to eventually distribute for Poser and DAZ Studio users. My question here, which has been answered was does DAZ Studio have tools built in or available as a plug-in that make it possible to add flexible joints or bones to a model. Stuff like hinges. I suspected that there wasn't and much to my chagrins I was correct. Thus I will have to use Poser, an application I'm not very fond of to assemble the possible parts of my props which were constructed in Maya so I can make them usable to users of Poser and Daz Studio. Once again I thank those who read my inquiry and answered accordingly. To all others I am happy to see your enthusiasm to assist even if your efforts have been a wee bit off the mark. * * * P.S. I have actually tried using Bryce and Carrara, it was around the same time I was introduced to Poser and unless things have changed radically the same issues I had with the bubbly space wasting user interface of Poser I had with them. Blame Adobe for conditioning me to expect every visible tool and palette to fit neatly together.

Well carrara has changed quite a bit(C5). May still not like it tho. I suggested this because you didn't seem thrilled to use poser. Many poser people are trying carrara and liking it. They use it to design props and clothing. You also indicated that you didn't really want to or feel comfortable using maya(it has quite a curve).Carrara works excellently with poser 6 content w/ easy modeling and super rendering.Sorry if you feel that was off the mark.