Right.

The new Poser has weight maps.

What exactly is a weight map and why is it better than the previous rigging? I tried Ryan2, assuming he had this new thing as he was a new figure.. but I can't tell any difference. The bends are like they've always been from what I can tell, and as I'd understood it, bending (amrs, knees ect) should benefit from this weight mapping. _Yet.. Either I'm doing something wrong (absolutely a possibility) or.. this isn't what they do?

Also.. There's been a lot of new things going on in the Material Room. With the new SSS and some new slots. What are they meant for? (yea custom nodes presumably, but.. examples please!)

I'll settle for a link to a previous thread where I'm sure this has all been explained at length if you're all so sick of explaining it. But I'm pretty sure I'm missing out on a lot of new features in PP2012, because with the exception of the faster render speed.. I haven't seen all the improvements that other people are cheering about ...

a weight map is like a texture map except it specifies what degree of influence the joint has.   when bending.

One advantage to weight mapping is that you can create extreme morphs for a figure without worrying about going outside the influence of the falloff zones. Another advantage is that you can specify the vertices that are affected and the percentage of effect without needing to fit the influenced area into a sphere or capsule envelope.

There are threads about weightmapping and SSS in the RuntimeDNA forums.

Here is one about SSS on human skin: http://www.runtimedna.com/forum/showthread.php?63200-SSS-on-Human-Figures

There is a lot of information over at Runtime DNA. A lot more that you will find here. That is Smith Micro's official Poser 9 PP2012 info outlet. And there are some nice people over there ;-) .

Before you read what I say please be aware that I am speculating and have not ever once loaded the new figures. Weight mapping has the potential to do better than zones. However, it is possible to reimplement what the zones do via weight mapping, with no improvements. This is a one click operation. If SM actually converted the figures to weight mapping, and did no more than just the conversion, then you will see the exact same bends as before. Did they advertise better bending, or just say that the figures are now weight mapped? inquiring minds want to know.

Quote - Before you read what I say please be aware that I am speculating and have not ever once loaded the new figures. Weight mapping has the potential to do better than zones. However, it is possible to reimplement what the zones do via weight mapping, with no improvements. This is a one click operation. If SM actually converted the figures to weight mapping, and did no more than just the conversion, then you will see the exact same bends as before. Did they advertise better bending, or just say that the figures are now weight mapped? inquiring minds want to know.

I'm thinking that's exactly what they did judging by another Alyson thread. The joints looked just as bad as before..lol.

Laurie

I was thinking the same thing when I was watching EClark's extreme posing threads.

But then, if you read Diogene's (Phantom3D's) threads on RDNA, weightmapping is the latest-greatest since sliced bread. Of course, he's talking about Brad and Antonia which bend like dreams anyway, but yeah.

I believe those with Poser Pro 2012 have the capacity to correct the joint issues. Smith Micro has given us the tools. It is up to us as to how we use them. Or don't. From what I've seen, most content providers take the easy road. Let's see, how many V4 outfits do I have in my runtime? I'm a newbie, so this above my skill level at this point. Maybe someday.

Quote - I believe those with Poser Pro 2012 have the capacity to correct the joint issues. Smith Micro has given us the tools. It is up to us as to how we use them. Or don't. From what I've seen, most content providers take the easy road. Let's see, how many V4 outfits do I have in my runtime? I'm a newbie, so this above my skill level at this point. Maybe someday.

But you shouldn't need to FIX new figures that are made with weight maps.. Or else I'm missing the whole point of improving things...

Then again, I don't actually know IF Alyson2 and Ryan2 are weightmapped. I mean.. how can you tell on a loaded figure if it's one or the other?!

The lack of weight mapping was the LEAST of "Alison& Ryan's " problems.

Cheers

Quote - The lack of weight mapping was the LEAST of "Alison& Ryan's " problems.

Cheers

How very true. But as someone who is intimately familiar with human anatomy, don't get me started on any 3D character. ;-)

Some people are calling Alyson2 and Ryan2 "Brand New" figures. I don't buy it.

I'm curious too about what weight mapping is?  Does it work with the new DAZ Genesis figures?  I have Poser Pro 2012 and want to get the most out of it but it's got a huge learning curve and don't know where to start.

You know these have been answered with threads running to over a hundred posts by people who know, including SM employees, at RDNA. Ask here whatever you like but you won't get as much info as is already there.

Quote - I'm curious too about what weight mapping is?  Does it work with the new DAZ Genesis figures?  I have Poser Pro 2012 and want to get the most out of it but it's got a huge learning curve and don't know where to start.

Have a read of thread on Genesis on here via the search mechanism. People have beaten this theme to death. It's really informative. I'm using search more now - it's not a perfect science (AT ALL!!!) but you get a lot of information that way on any topic you can think of.

At which point, you'll have more qualified questions... impresses the heck out of people.

Uhm BB.. I did put a "I'll settle for a link" in my question. Because, of course all this has been answered before. But as I'm not a regular at RDNA and don't want to spend all my time searching all across the internet, I'd be so happy if someone could point me in the right direction.

Which you did, well at least nudged me :)

So.. I'll leave Rosity on a quest for answers over at RCNA then. I wonder if I can still remember my password at that site L

Sorry for bothering you guys here with questions...

Yeah we don't answer questions here anymore. Everything Poser related is at RDNA now. We're just waiting for the doors to close here. 

TG, I was referring more to the additional wrinkle about Genesis, brought up right before my post by ProudApache.

Hey Steve!