Okay - I'm sort of thinking either like a wordpress or drupal dialogue thing, with updates and comments as an option, then also a downloads section and gallery. Based on what KobaltKween has done with drupal, I'm guessing it'll be a lot more conducive to what we need in terms of format (and more flexible) than WP. I'm going to get hold of her, but also go ahead and set it up with the name Pose2Lux as domain name.

Okay with you?

Sounds good to me :-)

Will the format you're proposing accommodate tutorials easily too?

Both Laurie and I are thinking of doing some. Others might too.

Otherwise I guess we could do the tutorials here at Rendo and provide PDF versions for download at your site?

Okay, we have a domain name registered with BlueHost called Pose2Lux.com ... when I get home tonight from work, I'll set up Drupal as well. I went with inexpensive: $4.95/month, paid in advance. All done.

I'll keep you posted and give the three of you (if you are so inclined) admin access once I've got things set up a bit more.

Sound alright? Yay! I'm contributing! :biggrin:

Quote - Will the format you're proposing accommodate tutorials easily too? Both Laurie and I are thinking of doing some. Others might too.

Otherwise I guess we could do the tutorials here at Rendo and provide PDF versions for download at your site?

It should do, yeah, but let me check with my Drupal guru how best to approach it.

Quick update: the site is roughed in. I'm not totally set on colour scheme - I tend to agree with LaurieA about darker backgrounds to make images stand out better, but for the most part it seems to be working.

Now comes the fun part: bringing over the most pertinent information from these threads that I can. Oh, and I still need to set up the gallery, and then decide what we want to do about a forum, if anything. Laurie's already got one, plus people tend to want to hang out here, so it might be a moot point.

Please give me feedback about what you like and don't like and what you think isn't working, and I'll try to get on it as quickly as I can.

So: http://www.pose2lux.com

Thanks, all

That looks pretty fine to me Robyn - you've done a great job there!

I'll send you some entries for the FAQ in a bit because there are a few questions I've been asked quite often.

On the downloads page I think it'd be good if people could just download the bits they want. The zip file contains all sorts of things which don't need to be redownloaded every time there's an update to the script.

I'd suggest the manual is a separate download, and the example XML libraries could be too. Most people will also want just the P6 version or the regular version, not both. The only thing that really needs to be bundled with the actual scripts is the MIT licence. Of course, there's no reason not to have the complete zip file available as a download for first timers who need the whole shebang.

I'd also like to see a place where we can post useful links. Obvious links are to the Luxrender site (Home page, Wiki, Scene file fomat and forum are the obvious ones)

Oh, and perhaps a glossary of terms. These things can be a bit daunting to the newcomer who isn't familiar with all the jargon we take for granted!

This is starting to get quite exciting - we have a script, a manual and a website! It's almost like it's a proper program :-)

Anyway, if there's anything else besides the FAQ that you'd like from me, just holler!

As for the forum, I guess it needs a bit of thought. I'll continue to post to and monitor the Rendo threads here, but it would be nice for Pose2Lux to have its very own forum too. I don't mind whether it's on the Pose2Lux website (which does seem the obvious place) or the Peanut Gallery (where Pose2Lux grew up in the nurturing environment provided so generously by Laurie), but it's probably best to have it in just one place to avoid confusion.

Thank you so much!

Oh, I definitely think Pose2Lux forums should be on the Pose2Lux website. Seems silly to have them visit the site for everything else and then leave it to go to a forum ;). I like the idea of breaking the downloads up too.

And thanks everyone for the nice words, but truthfully, if it hadn't been for MagnusGreel this would have gotten off to a much slower start - he did all of the inital testing while I nursed the flu..lol.

Laurie

Bookmarked.

Looking really good Robyn, I am guessing that you are slowly beating Drupal into submission.

Everyone who has worked on this deserves a cookie (okay depending on personal preferences a drink), I doubt anyone thought the  exporter would have gone from the alpha to v 1 in less than two months. 

Now, back to playing with materials, trying for something suede-ish today.

Quote - That looks pretty fine to me Robyn - you've done a great job there!

Thank you! Couldn't have done it without KobaltKween's guidance: Drupal - the cms the site is based on - is not WP: this is a very full-on system with lots of possibilities...complexities...stuff/concepts to learn.

Quote - I'll send you some entries for the FAQ in a bit because there are a few questions I've been asked quite often.

That would be excellent: the more qualified content, the better, and the less I have to scrounge through these threads, much as I enjoy that (time constraints :blink: )

Quote - On the downloads page I think it'd be good if people could just download the bits they want. The zip file contains all sorts of things which don't need to be redownloaded every time there's an update to the script. I'd suggest the manual is a separate download, and the example XML libraries could be too. Most people will also want just the P6 version or the regular version, not both. The only thing that really needs to be bundled with the actual scripts is the MIT licence. Of course, there's no reason not to have the complete zip file available as a download for first timers who need the whole shebang.

No dramas... I'll go ahead and split it all up as you suggest and have separate sections.

Quote - I'd also like to see a place where we can post useful links. Obvious links are to the Luxrender site (Home page, Wiki, Scene file fomat and forum are the obvious ones)

Yes, links was going to be my next project. In Drupal, all of this sort of thing is sort-of like its own little entity of sorts, so it's not just a matter of putting a URL up: it's much cleaner and more manageable than that.

Quote - Oh, and perhaps a glossary of terms. These things can be a bit daunting to the newcomer who isn't familiar with all the jargon we take for granted!

I will definitely need help with that... in terms of the actual... err... terms. All a bit grey area for me, and since you all are the experts...

This is starting to get quite exciting - we have a script, a manual and a website! It's almost like it's a proper program :-)

Quote - Anyway, if there's anything else besides the FAQ that you'd like from me, just holler!

So, yeah, the glossary and perhaps the manual in .doc or text format so I can put it on the site as a Book. That would save me having to find something to extract pdf stuff...

Quote - As for the forum, I guess it needs a bit of thought. I'll continue to post to and monitor the Rendo threads here, but it would be nice for Pose2Lux to have its very own forum too. I don't mind whether it's on the Pose2Lux website (which does seem the obvious place) or the Peanut Gallery (where Pose2Lux grew up in the nurturing environment provided so generously by Laurie), but it's probably best to have it in just one place to avoid confusion.

Well, (just read Laurie's addendum to this) and whilst I'm happy to do the forum on the site, it will probably be a bit: it's not trivial to set up and during the week my time on here is fairly minimal. So, if it's okay with everyone, I'll focus on getting the site right first, and then have a play with the forum.

Is that good with everyone?

@Rhionon: yeah, finally - was really stuck there for quite a while, as in near-tears stuck, but KobaltKween rescued me so I'm all good now... things basically work and stay working, which is nice. :biggrin:

Here is a FAQ to get things going. No doubt we'll need to expand on it over time.

As for the manual source files, you'll need to liaise with Laurie to get those.

I'm very happy for you to prioritise the development of the new site as you see fit. You clearly have a good idea of what needs to be done and the best way to go about it, so I'm quite happy that it's all in safe hands!

And there's certainly no rush for anything so just take it at whatever pace suits you!

I'm pretty impressed that you managed to get a site together so quickly, let alone one based on CMS!

Robyn, no tears over a website lovey!  When in doubt walk away and ignore it for a few hours, it won't kill anyone to wait that bit longer.

Forum is not a high priority as it seems the discussion and technical help end of things are running smoothly here for now.  It would be good to get it set up and the basics laid in though when time allows.

If you need help with the forum end of it, I am available, heck I can even be around for 'Aussie time' since I am a chronic insomniac.  Sometimes sleep deprivation has its merits.  LOL.

Sidebar, has anyone put anything up over at Daz yet about P2L?  Or is it 'competition' for Reality?  Just curious.

grin I signed up today!

Well the Great White North is accounted for then.  I signed up this morning when I saw it was there.  LOL

smirk I'm a transplant to the Great White North. Originally from the Lone Star State of Texas!

Shhhh!  I won't tell.  Anyway you are in a place that has an awesome dessert named after it, can't go wrong there. :p

What do we have here?  Ummm ummm... The CFL's worst football team, who we still support?  Yay for being from Hamilton!

Quote - Sidebar, has anyone put anything up over at Daz yet about P2L?  Or is it 'competition' for Reality?  Just curious.

I'd thought of it, but wasn't in the mood to cause a possible commotion...lol. I figured I'd just post an image to the PC gallery "made with...." sort of thing ;). I guess it can be construed as competition to Reality, except that Reality will only work in DS. The only competition I can see is that some DS users also have Poser ;).

All this of course would be assuming any image of this nature that I post would even be chosen...lol.

Laurie

Not to start a furor - oh, okay, I'll start a wee one :tt2: - but the competition seems to me at least to be on price, really... similar products AFAIK, essentially, so:

Daz Studio: free ... Reality: $80.

Poser 7: $39.99 ... Pose2Lux: free

<>

Robyn you bad, bad girl....lol.

The way I see it, there are enough Daz forum regulars that also hang out here. The word will get around, especially once Snarly's exporter is posted on the Luxrender website as a valid exporter ;).

remind self....notify the Luxrender folks

Laurie

Oooooooo good plan, Laurie! Maybe we might do a LinkShare with LuxRender... I do like the way you think!

Only when you say it's okay to do so, though, Snarly... don't wanna be jumping the gun. Any of that kind-of stuff: like to get your clearance first.

Laurie

Quote - Here is a FAQ to get things going. No doubt we'll need to expand on it over time. As for the manual source files, you'll need to liaise with Laurie to get those.

I'm very happy for you to prioritise the development of the new site as you see fit. You clearly have a good idea of what needs to be done and the best way to go about it, so I'm quite happy that it's all in safe hands!

And there's certainly no rush for anything so just take it at whatever pace suits you!

I'm pretty impressed that you managed to get a site together so quickly, let alone one based on CMS!

Thanks, SG ... get on it first chance I get! And Laurie's got her stuff to me, so I'd better get cracking!

Quote - Okay Robyn...here is the manual in .doc format. It's just raw text. Keep that in mind...lol Laurie

Perfect, Laurie... I'll go ahead and get it all set up in Drupal Book format - need to figure that out next! - and then, we'll maybe look at illustrations.

Well it is competition of a sort.  Not direct but it gives people who really don't like DS an alternative (I am in that category even though I had and used DS first, never could find a darned thing quickly in the library)

Price is really what you want to make of it, if you wanted the closest comparison you would still need to look at DSA not the free DS3. ;)

So with P2L being free and Poser 7 being under $40... hmmm... Heck, Poser 8 only set me back $150.  With P2L being free, I come out ahead.  :p

I do think posting an image done with this exporter and submitting it to the PC gallery is a good idea.  Might also get 'passed over' as it is done with a free competitor for a Daz product. 

Getting word out in other Poser communities couldn't hurt either.  Maybe a P2L group for those who are on dA?  I know there is a Reality group there already.

I'm happy for people to do whatever they want. I'd love to see some more great pics made using Pose2Lux, no matter where they might be posted. I'm sure Robyn will be wanting some contributions soon too :-)

Personally, I have no great aspiration to promote Pose2Lux, but I'm happy if others want to. As it's not a commercial product it makes little difference to me how many people end up using it. So long as those that do use it enjoy doing so, and get to make some cool pics they might otherwise have been unable to, then that's me happy, even if its just a handful of people. Of course, it'd be nice if hundreds of people were having fun with it too, but I'd rather spend my time making Pose2Lux better than trying to 'advertise' it.

But if anybody does feel that Pose2Lux is good enough that it's worth spreading the word then that's fine with me - somebody out there must just be glad you did!

I vote we invite Rhionon to be the official Pose2Lux publicity agent :-)

LOL! I make a pretty good cheerleader when I want to.

Aspirations or not, it is a useful, already viable add on to the Poser user's toolbox, which with what has already been said is looking to only become more so.

Do I think everyone will want it?  No.  I know there are those people who simply don't have the patience to wait through a possibly multi-day render (heck my current Lux render is looking to take 5-6 days okay it is 2400x3000. :p )

Do I think there are those who have been waiting for something that will allow them to go that next step in their work who would appreciate it?  Oh heck yeah.   Even with realism not being my forte normally I can see easily how it can be worked into my existing workflow.  A something extra that was what I was pushing for with postwork.

I know also that aside from freebie hunting and content buying here there are a great many who never set foot into other parts of the site.  Like the forums.  So it is possible that an entire group of potentially interested people are missing out.

Once the website is up and the basics are all in place, I am happy to do what I can to 'spread the word' about P2L.  It deserves love just as much as Reality.  And with an active supportive community it can only get better as people contribute their bit, be it art or materials or even some advice when problems do crop up to new users.

Aside time again (blame my sleep deprived brain), is there any plan to incorporate the volumetric stuff I have seen on the Luxrender forums?  Fog and dusty air would be awesome.  Don't ask me to recall the proper name right now, my brain only work so much on two hours sleep.  Hehe.

I was just wishing for fog this very morning...lmao. I don't know enough about materials yet to implement it via .xml though because it depends greatly on depth of an object, which will of course vary from object to object.

Laurie

Quote - I was just wishing for fog this very morning...lmao. I don't know enough about materials yet to implement it via .xml though because it depends greatly on depth of an object, which will of course vary from object to object. Laurie

Just had a look at Blender's use of Lux, and they do have renders/scenes of volumetric lighting, so it should be possible.

Apparently a fog material is also available in Reality, so it is there to be used if the how can be figured out.  Just curiosity, I get the basics of all this, the actual implentation of it to make it readily usable not a clue.  I dared delve into the .xml files, for me, that was scary enough.

I'm sure if it's possible, Snarly will find a way to make it happen when he has time.

Laurie

No rush, I have no issues postworking fog and such as needed.  Just slowly been reading my way through stuff as thoughts occur to me.  Since volumetric fog and such are not really core functionality I figure they will come a ways down the list.  Just a wish listy thing if it can be done.

Now, a quick question.  I found a free HDRI pano of a church with the stained glass and all, any ideas on if it would be possible to get the light to look like it was coming through the windows?  Since there are no window objects to drop a portal in front of it is leaving me scratching my head.  It was sort of what sparked my looking for the volumetric stuff too. 

Fog is coming to Pose2Lux in the next day or so.

You'll have to find someone cleverer than me to answer the church window question though!

does a happy dance Yay my undead things will be able to creep around in the foggy dark!

oooh volumetric lighting...

Quote - Sidebar, has anyone put anything up over at Daz yet about P2L?  Or is it 'competition' for Reality?  Just curious.

Someone started a thread about Pose2Lux about a month ago in the Commons.

Just out of curiosity, why Pose2Lux instead of Poser2Lux?

I think it's great that Poser users are finally getting a bridge to LuxRender, the images you can get out of it are simply astounding!

Coldrake

Quote - I think it's great that Poser users are finally getting a bridge to LuxRender, the images you can get out of it are simply astounding!  

 

Coldrake

Now, if I could only make one that's astounding! LOL

:)

Laurie

Quote -  

Just out of curiosity, why Pose2Lux instead of Poser2Lux?

Coldrake

no reason.. just the first one that came to mind..

It's a lot better than it's original name!

For the first few incarnations of the script it was called 'Plop'

(Poser's Luxrender Output Program)

Which says exactly how often I get over to Daz.  LOL.  I think it was mid-February the last time I was aside from taking a quick look at the March Madness stuff.  Not much yet to wow me.  Keeping my fingers crossed for some M4 stuff that isn't casual wear or armor.

Yeah, I would have a hard time cheering on Plop without giggling everytime I had to type it. 

Glad to hear that fog is forthcoming, it is one of the things holding up a Victorian-esque street scene I am working on, it needs some fog along the ground.

Also has anyone trying to tackle fabrics yet who is building materials?  I might since suede and I are not getting along right now.  Pressed self destruct, will start fresh in the morning.  Would be nice to have a bunch of predone fabric materials that could be loaded onto clothing either with or without the texture maps.

One more thing, does anyone have a copy of the various skin materials included in P2L in .xml so I can have a look at them?  I seem to be having an issue with my undead girls turning pink on me...  Thinking I might need to adjust the material some to keep their deathly pallor :p  I have tried various CRF's to try to compensate, but well, they look alive (and in one case decidedly sunburned).

Just think about when you would have had to announce 'Plop Pro'  :ohmy:

It was rather fun in the beginning ;). All I did all day long was "PLOP" ;).

Laurie