Hi gang.
For anyone who has used the Poser 7 collada exporter and Poser figures, a couple of questions if I may:

1. Does Max 9 need anything (plugins) to import these?
2. Does it import the Poser rigging as well, and if so how good is that rigging in Max?
3. Any pitfalls with all of this?

Thanks so much for any feedback.

The D|S doesn't need an additional Plugin.
For Max you will need to download 'collada max' pluging - it's free.

It does import the rigging. I tried it on several figures (V3, V4, GND, Apollo) and rigging didn't need any adjustments. If you're going to Pose or animate the figure, I found that I like using the animation curves and timeline for that the best.

It also imports all of the morphs if you select that option.

I didn't run ito any serious pitfalls. The files it creates are on the large side (with all that info in them), so you'll need a pretty high end machine. Materials will need some minor tweaking if you want a high end render. I haven't tried exporting lights, so I don't know if they come across.

So far, I'm very pleased with it.

Thanks Connie for the feedback. I found the collada plugin for Max.

Are there any special boxes you had to check on export (from Poser) and/or import (to Max 9) to get this to work correctly, and yes, I'm very interested in getting the rigging to transfer over. My beast should handle any file size thrown at it...after all, it's a beast. mwhaaaahahahahaha!

I was experimenting with various export options, and I don't remember any of them not working.
Unfortunately, I don't remember details (and I'm not at a good stopping point to run through the process at the moment... sowwy.)

No biggie, I understand.
If I get in a jam I might message you if that's okay?

What kind of rig skin-weighting results from the COLLADA export-import?  I can't imagine that 3DSMax has comparable bend deformations to Poser's proprietary Joint Parameters.  Are they a good compromise?

is everyone on the same page here?

DarkEdge is asking about POSER Collada export and Connie is reporting on D|S export, I think.

Is the Poser collada export even a released product? I tried the beta once, a long time ago when PoserPro was announced and it crashed Poser bad.**

**Can anyone confirm that Poser colada export is actually functioning?

::::: Opera :::::
 

Where do we find these plugins?

PoserPro beta of collada exporter is on this page:
http://graphics.smithmicro.com/go/poserpro

ColladaMax
http://www.feelingsoftware.com/content/view/65/79

::::: Opera :::::

Quote - Is everyone on the same page here?

There's no such thing as Collada for Poser.
What you need to do to take advantage of Collada is open your Poser scene or poser content in DAZ studio, and then export.  I believe that in DarkEdge's question 'Poser' stood for Poser Content export to Max, rahther then export from Poser (program) itself.  Seemed like an extension of a thead from few days ago... IIRC, DarkEdge participated in that thread as well, so I assumed he already knows it's a Daz Studio thing.

Kuroyume, as for your question about joint parameters/weight maps, I can't say I've analyzed them. However, the bending that you get using inported rigging (it's a set of bones with a skin applied to it) loks fine to me. Bends at least as good as it does in Poser.

Collada comes with Daz Studio 1.8 and higher.
Collada Max can be downloaded here: http://www.feelingsoftware.com/component/option,com_docman/Itemid,80  
(Plead read install instructions thoroughly)

well as i have just linked, there "will be" collada export out of PoserPro and there is a beta to try.

Image above is straight import of V4.1, no adjustments whatsoever, and only few minutes spent on posing, just adding a few basic bends.

I don't know enough about Max rigging to speculate what needs to be adjusted to make the fixes.

Just waiting on the link my self, how long does it take?

Quote - Just waiting on the link my self, how long does it take?

What do you mean?

Actually OperaGuy has my intent correct.
There is a Poser 7 collada exporter here:
graphics.smithmicro.com/go/poser/7/updates/win

If I must use DAZ studio then I will. I have been able to load the collada into Max just fine but everything is invisable, I've scaled up upon import...but still don't see anything.
From what Connie has shown the joints aren't horrific and just need some massaging, at least the bones are there!

Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and lean how to rig in Max. After everything else I've learned to do it can't be impossible. As long as it isn't code...I'm good.
we hates coding (ala smeagol)  

Waiting to get the link to download

DarkEdge I am right with you. As much as I like V4, everything is relative. I like/liked her because all other human models in PoserDazDom were useless as humans.

After my failure with the beta Poser Collada Export,  loaded D|S for the sole purpose of trying its COLLADA export. The export went okay, but things were messy on the import into Max. Textures missing. morphs distorted the mesh, etc.

I did not attempt to 'solve' those issues. Do I really want to be fighting against the tide? Wouldn't I rather have a genuine Max human?

So now that my 3DS Max decision has been made, I need to establish my base human character, out of which all my story characters can emerge. (I have no doubt whatsoever that I will be able to get body and facial diversity in Max from a base mesh.)

So this leads to learning to rig in Max.

By the way, I would have no trouble purchasing my base figure, even if it were hundreds of dollars. For instance Masha.
http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/Index.cfm/ID/248996/

So, since you have used the Poser Collada Export  far more recently than I, are you reporting that it functioned properly and did not crash or corrupt Poser?

::::: Opera :::::

Waiting to get the link to download

What link to what download?

collada importer for Max

1. you could have found it on your own, Google is your friend.
2. I already found it and posted 8 minutes after you asked, and so did Connie.
3. you are actually asking "how long does it take?"

What are you trying to do, live up to your NYC rep?

Sincerely,
::::: Opera :::::

Yeah, all went well...no crashing. But I'm operating on x64 bit and really all 3d functions are much smoother on x64 compared to x32. Poser really smoothed out too. So no crashing just some weird questions about something which might be why I can't see it.

I'm just going to commit and learn how to rig in Max. I've got some jobs that are leaning that way and if it must be done...then so be it.

I am waiting on the ColladaMax registration link

Go for it. DarkEdge.

Quote - Yeah, all went well...no crashing. But I'm operating on x64 bit and really all 3d functions are much smoother on x64 compared to x32. Poser really smoothed out too.

Wait...... I thought there was no 64 bit support for Collada Max?!?!?

Have I missed an update???

I finally did get the registration link!

Now my question is this: Can I export animations with collada?