I'm new to the 3D world, I can't for the life of me figure out how to make things for DAZ. I'm a graphic artist and have corel, photoshop, illustrator , etc, etc. and very good with these, but I can;t seem to figure out how to start and inport what I create in PS. I'm a computer geek by trade so the technical aspect isn't a problem, it's just that the 3D world has its own language. I figured out how to do textures for existing objects but really don't understand why some items have .jpg files you can see and edit and some (like morphing cloths) can't be edited. Do I need more than just graphic programs and DAZ Studio?

Any pointers where to find help. Lets take something simple

marineguy, Daz|Studio uses 3d objects, which have a .obj extention. You need a program that can either read, if you want to alter for morphs. Or create if you want to make things for D|S to use. You can use another free program like Wings3d or Blender to do that. Creating content is a hobby in and of itself.
Basicly it goes like this:
1: Open your modeling software
2: Create something with modeling software
3: Export Created somthing from modeling software as obj
4: UVmap and create Texture maps for thing you created

Beyond that, I can't help because that's as far as I've gotten so far :P

Hey thanks, that will get me started

I am glad I found this question. I am in kinda the same situation as marineguy. I did have a question though. Can you make your own 3d models like bases in these other programs you mentioned? I wanna be able to create my own models and clothes and props for them so I can use them in signature tags and also look at creating tubes to sell so I can make a little money at something I love doing which is creating things LOL. But again I wanna be able to create everything myself including the model I am using and not have to go buy one like Sadie for instance or even use Victoria that comes with Daz in the free starter kit. I am just starting to try this out and I wanna see if its something I will enjoy doing and might possibly get p7 in the future or a future version of poser if and when I am ready for it.

Thanks everyone,
Kittykat7983

I don't mean to discourage anyone, but I'd like to say this as a bit of a heads up. If you plan on getting into making your own 3D models expect a steep learning curve and start off slow. That being said, there are plenty of free 3D programs available and a lot of tutorials out there if you look. The forums here are also a great place to start as well. I'd also like to add Anim8tor as another very versatile freeware program, plus Rhino has a demo that allows 25 saves as far as i can remember (it's been a while) It also has tutorials that are step by step.

Thanks but I have had some experience working in 3d max before and I actually had to do a tutorial on it myself plus I am a pretty fast learner and can learn pretty quickly something like this and any software that is free to use to try this out is great for me. So any an all suggestions on software that works best please send them my way and if you happen to have any links to where I can get the software or articles on the tutorials that would also help me out alot. I have been extreamly inspired lately by all the stuff I have been seeing and being an artist person I am ready for the challenge or creating my own models. I was also inspired by the lady who created the plushies and I wanna create my own similar to that as well as my own models. I love learning new things and wanna learn all there is about creating 3d art especially being able to create all my own pieces because eventually when  I get good I hope to be able to sell my own creations for other to use in their work. I love art and I am trying to find a way to make a little extra money and think this might be a good way for me to do that but of course I am stubborn and I wanna do it all myself every piece from the body to the clothes to the props and eventually scenery but to start no scenery because I am making these models for use of tubing but I want them to be all mine so I can put my own copyright on them and not have to worry about other artists tous. Thanks for all your help here and sending me in the right direction for the software that will be good for me to use. Also if you know of any that are not too expensive but work well for what I am trying to do something for me to start out with. I have this thing where I love learning new programs and I love getting all and every kind of graphic program there is to do my artwork. I have lots of knowlege already but anything that can help me on my way is great. Again I wanna say thank you.

Kittykat7983
P.S I like to write alot aka talk alot LOL sorry if I end up rambling on a bit sometimes takes me a while to get to my point or I end up getting sidetracked.

Kittykat, if you're at least somewhat familiar with 3D Max, then the programs mentioned here should pose little difficulty beyond learning how each one like to do things.

As to modeling clothing, there are two programs that can do the rigging (bones). One is Poser, and the other is called Greenbriar I believe (at Daz3d). Check the Daz3d sight for their software and what each one can do. Carerra can also do rigging for Poser/Daz I believe but Hexagon can't. So with Hexagon, Anim8tor, Wings, Blender, Rhino, etc, you can make meshes that can be textured and imported into Daz, but you can't set them up with rigging so they will bend. Carerra, can do all the modeling as well as rigging I believe, or you can make your 3D object in, say, Wings, then use either Poser, or Greenbriar to do the rigging. If your making static objects for tubing you don't have to get too fancy. A freeware program will work just fine. There are forums here for Blender, Wings, and Rhino...you might try looking there for information and links. If you can't find any PM me and I'll find links for you...I don't have any in my bookmarks anymore since I rebuilt my pc.

Thank you sooooo much for the info Madbat that is really helpful I will go look for those links. That is really great information for me to know again thank you!!!

Kittykat7983

You're welcome!
Again, if pm me if you have any questions or need some links and I'll see what i can do.

 Say i created a prop in Wings and textures it with UV-Mapper and Photoshop. 
How can I bring it into a Daz-scene OTHER than importing it manually? I mean, I'd like to have it in the library among the other items. How to do that?

Import and save as a scene file will allow you to load it from the Content palette, though from a D|S content folder rather than a Poser content folder.

 Okay.

And is there any way to make smart-props with wings for D|S?

Not directly. You could write a script to load a scene file and then parent it to part of the currently selected figure, but that would require planning on your part (if you go to the Developer Discussions forum at DAZ and look for the thread where maclean asks about showing/hiding parented props there's a little digression on that).