Hey Again,

You guys were really helpful with my last question, so I figured I would ask a few more :)

I am stuck on two things that I can't seem to figure out, or find documentation for. 

1. How can I measure something in Poser? I downloaded a few free models of guns, and swords and such, but I have no idea how to make sure they're the right size for the model. It seems that I can only size things by percentage, but this means nothing and end up guessing.

Are there rulers or something that I can use in Poser?

1. I made a face using the "Face" tab, and got an awesome face, but once I attached it to the body, I no longer have the ability to do expressions. If I select the head and adjust the "sliders" nothing happens at all. I can't edit the model, or make the expressions work.

Any idea how to get this functionality back?

Thanks all!

CLM

Quote - 1. How can I measure something in Poser? I downloaded a few free models of guns, and swords and such, but I have no idea how to make sure they're the right size for the model. It seems that I can only size things by percentage, but this means nothing and end up guessing.

Are there rulers or something that I can use in Poser?

There are rulers, but there are at least 3 disputed scales that should be used.

You actually contradicted yourself, because the Poser Native Unit doesn't represent anything we all agree on. Therefore, you size things by percentage, PRECISELY because that is all that matters. Consider this: If you attach all your props (except your "ruler") to each other and scale them all up together, do they look different with respect to each other? Nope.

If you know that one gun is 10% longer than another, then set the scale of your reference gun to 110%. Scale the other until it is the same length. Then set the first back to 100%. They are now correct with respect to each other.

But I'm sure a bunch of people will come along and suggest rulers, but you'll have to decide which scale to use.

The disputed scales are with regard to the meaning of one Poser Native Unit or PNU, which happens to also be the same as the dimensionless quantities found in OBJ files.

1 PNU can be = 96 inches, 100 inches, or 103.2 inches

You have to choose a scale, then somebody will supply a ruler for it.

Thanks for your reply Baggins.

What you're basically saying is that everything is relative to everything else. Lets say for example however that my character is 5'11" then if I had some kind of ruler I could scale the gun to say, 6" or whatever the actual specs are.

The problem is that I have no idea how big some props are. When I import them at 100% they're either really big, or really small. Just this morning I imported a car, and it was 100%, but looked like a remote control car next to the model. I scaled it up 350% but I that was nothing more than a guess.

If I could put something on the ground that would represent 1 foot, or whatever, then I could scale everything to that measurement.

Sorry, one more quick question if someone knows. How can I change the ground plane so that it extends to the horizon, but doesn't adjust the size of the squares?

Poser changed scales between two versions but few people noticed.
For import the % value is % of standard figure size, and that sometimes goes wrong depending on the width height depth of the item.

Easier to import, adjust by eye , and then scale other things to it.   Dr Geep has a poser ruler if you want one .

Nobody uses any kind of universal standard scale when making models.  You won't know how it is scaled until you import it, that's pretty much that.  On the plus side, once you get it scaled and positioned how you want it, you could re-export it again and the scale/position will be saved into the new OBJ, or you could just save it into the Poser Props library.

Quote - Sorry, one more quick question if someone knows. How can I change the ground plane so that it extends to the horizon, but doesn't adjust the size of the squares?

You can't.

Ahhh, Dr Geep!

Never heard of that website before, but that will work awesome, Thanks!

Now, if I could figure out the other things I'll be set.

I just put the scales from Dr. Geep into poser and that's exactly what I needed. Now I can see that my characters are the height they're supposed to be. Since it has "inches" on it, I am able to scale the guns to the right size.

Ok, so you can't change the ground plane...good to know (and strange that you can't).

I just need to be able to add the ability to edit/express my models face and I am good to go! :D

I really appreciate the help so far guys!

You can change the ground plane, you just can't do what you're asking for (make it infinitely large without changing the size of the squares it's made up of).

Quote - You can change the ground plane, you just can't do what you're asking for (make it infinitely large without changing the size of the squares it's made up of).

And it really shouldn't matter that you can't, AFAICT... my textures for ground are all shader-based, so it doesn't have anything to do with the size of each square.

It matters a lot if you're using a texture that doesn't tile...

Attached Link: http://www.drgeep.com/p6/scale/scale.htm

Here's a tut about Scale that you might find helpful ... or not. :biggrin:

I have another 3D Scale prop that only has FEET and no inches but it is 20 feet long.
Interested ??? ... Let me know. ... ;=]

Here is a link for the FREE Imperial and Metric Scale props for use in Poser.

Use 'em in good health. ... and questions are always welcome.

cheers,
dr geep
;=]

Thanks Dr. Geep!

It worked perfectly for my needs. The ONLY gripe I had with them is that they're invisible from the back. It's not a huge deal, it just means I had to duplicate the prop, then flip it around so they were back to back.

I would be interested in a 20 footer if you have a link to one. I'm certain that would come in very useful.

... or just use yRotate, yes? :biggrin:

Yes, it's not like a huge deal or anything. I was just pointing out when you're flying around an image looking for the rulers it can be a little difficult to find them if you happen to be looking at them from the back.

They're working really good for me though, I just need to get that last question solved, so if anyone has any ideas I would really appreciate it.

Attached Link: Scale of Models in Poser

Nicely assembled Sir Robert.

Thank you for the link.

cheers,
dr geep
;=]

 As a rule of thumb I import most props at 12% Body Scale if they are not scaled for Poser... this makes them about head sized... I then fine tune the scale and "memorize" before saving them to the prop library. I use Geep's measuring tools and a low resolution Geep "Magic Box" scaled to one Geep foot scale and set to wireframe preview as cubic measure... for say eight feet I use this cube scaled to 800% etc. I scale down most Poser figures to 95% and scale their heads up to 105% and their hands and feet too. I usually scale down their thighs and shoulders to about 95% also.

Quote - Nicely assembled Sir Robert.

You're welcome, Sir, er... Robert.

Glad you liked it, especially since I took your name therein. But not in vain, I hope. :-)

Not at tall, my friend, not at tall. :biggrin:

cheers,
dr geep
;=]

Well, whatever the discussions about scale and percentages, dr. Geep's precious feet/metre scales are just priceless if you're building to your own scene/props according to external sources!

As an example, I'm trying to recreate various tombs of Egypt's Valley of the Kings, and I want to be as precise as possible, using building materials from dozens of sources and charts and maps drawn on paper. Until now I had to use the Ground plane and Top camera position to measure a square, and then build around it using a cube as standard measure. And that's a crazy job, believe me, as Poser has no vertical plane and no movable guidelines, like in most 2D and some other 3D programs. Also, forget precision; you have to figure out by eye anything between, let's say 1foot 3 inches or 1 metre 39 centimeters. Yes, once you've established a precise scale then someting else may be rolled in by percentages, but it's still not precise, and it's the first measurement that decides your precision.

So, yes, dr. Geep, I've already sneaked in a statue (of Thoth) into Horemheb's tomb in your honour ;-)

And a final note. As this is a project with various people involved, we're sending our objects and props all over the world. Now - thanks to dr. Geep's generous free scales, we're always sending a scale with it, so my tomb-robbing partners knows how to build and adjust.

I can't measure the scale of happiness to-day ;-)
velijn

Attached Link: Inside Poser's Display Units - by Dr Geep

@ velijn

I am humbled by your praise and I thank you.

You might, perhaps, be interested in the current class class now in progress ...
*(for Poser 8, but usable in P4, 5, 6, and 7, also)
... * about how to build a "WorkingBox" (such as one finds in Cararra) using only Poser.
No other programs are required.

As usual, feedback is always welcome.

Happy measuring and ... Have a scaled day.

cheers,
dr geep
;=]

When I started to create my first morph, Amy for Victoria 3, I questioned about that.  In fact, I don't think there is an universal answer.  I noticed DAZ is based on 1unit = 8ft as the scale of their products, it is reflected in DAZ Studio.  At that time, I made a metre stick (I'm living in a country using metric system), I used it to measure the height of the characters.  Therefore, I found that Victoria is taller than me, Aiko is shorter than me.  At the end, I created a scale pose for my morph. Amy for Victoria 3/Aiko 3/Victoria 4.2 is 170cm in height.  Then, I found that Dr. Geep has a good tutorial about the scale.  As long as you stick to one scale, you should be fine.  If you get some new props, you can use your own measurement to re-scale it.  For example, when you get the model of the house, you can measure the height of the door and use it as a reference.  Based on the fact that constructions in real world follow some standards, you can figure out how tall is that door should be.  It works for me.  I'm sure that someone has another way. 

Quote - ...   Based on the fact that constructions in real world follow some standards, you can figure out how tall is that door should be. ...

Thanks Amy and you're absolutely correct.

cheers,
dr geep
;=]