Yes; the original metals used P7-era tricks to get a metallic look; I used just the PhysicalSurface root (no other nodes). The metal shields on the shins and forearms should be dark, however. I'll correct that for future use. The only bit I spent time on was the targeting eyepiece. The original was opaque and reflective; I made it transparent and luminous.

Very nice. I looked up that set. I had to go to Poser Addicts to find it. I just copied the promo pics. I want to make something similar.

Well, I'll be - it's still available! Until June, anyway. I looked at the page on Poser Addicts; the promo shots do look helpful. You might also want to do an internet image search using Appleseed Ex Machina and Deunan Knute as search terms.

I'll do that. Thanks.

"I see white shores ahead!" - Mulberry (by Sarsa) for Aiko 3. Elven grey ship is nearly done (still adjusting material settings for the sea, the bow wave, and the wake).

Another one with Brielle, wearing Lei Fang dress (Forender) a V4 dress altered to A3.

WOW! SO I am not the only geek who feels Aiko 3 is NOT "DeadNBury'ed" !! Even today in the midst of all the fantastic Figures we all have at our fingertips; We still turn to little Aiko for some great looks. You have all posted some wonderful images with just "AIKO!" as the subject. I am smiling, and almost in tears. For happiness. Mind if I share one? Aiko3, and Wistfully Yours dress by Ryverthorn and Lobo75 circa 2007. Still one of the most elegant and beautiful outfits available in our world. Stands well against the best done in the MFD! Dozens of add-on textures help its longevity! Oh all right I'll post a body shot of A3 next.

As promised, a simple body shot of Aiko 3. The character is DINA, by Christel-B, Freja and Alicelefay, circa 2007. I like the whole Goth look of this character, but the sweetness of her just shines right through. I spent time cleaning the full belly tattoo off for a separate skin. It's fine for some things, but not all. l hope you enjoy this! McG. The makeup is Dina's. That is BC Mega Pak outfit, the A3 version by Shadownet & lwperkins circa 2009.

Love the mood and decor of that interior scene McGrandpa, almost as if Lady Dimitrescu is somewhere nearby...

That set was DM's Eclectica.
https://www.renderosity.com/rr/mod/bcs/?ViewProduct=107866 Their contemporary styled sets are every bit as fascinating as their Sci-Fi/Fantasy sets. I doubt there is room enough to pile everything that comes in that set into one scene. Looks like I tried in that one though, ha!

I like to spin some Aiko4 into realism ... or is it the other way around?

::::: Opera :::::

Words are Power! Words are Freedom! Word Up!

Question for those still using Aiko 3: what is the difference between the Aiko Catsuit and the CatsuitPM? I gather they have different mapping? Do either of them share mapping with other DAZ bodysuits?

The PM version stands for "planar mapping", meaning it's a straight projection along the "Z" (front/back) axis. The other is more akin to a reverse "bearskin" layout.

Sincerely,

Bill

Thanks. I suppose it was to make it easier for texturists. Interesting that they did that back then. Maybe it's no longer necessary, with the 3D painting apps available now.

randym77 posted at 10:50AM Wed, 08 September 2021 - #4426943

Thanks. I suppose it was to make it easier for texturists. Interesting that they did that back then. Maybe it's no longer necessary, with the 3D painting apps available now.

Yeah, tools like that are available...not all end users have them.

Not too long ago I used the "planar mapped" version of the A3 suit to depict a "Major Matt Mason" (bendy action figure of the late 1960s) styled spacesuit. The straight on projection made it easier to create the "joint pleats" without having to meticulously follow curved surfaces. So items like that still have their uses.

Sincerely,

Bill

You can see how the knee, upper thigh, elbow and shoulder sections employ a displacement by simply using a texture that is really nothing more than a series of thin horizontal lines. Obviously, this kind of UV layout would not be good intricate patterns position along the edges of the torso and limbs as they would get stretched. But for this kind of thing, it makes texturing far easier.

Sincerely,

Bill

Aw, nice render. Very cute! Is that Dodger's Martian?

Do either of Aiko's catsuits share mapping with other DAZ catsuits? It's been so long, I can't remember.

I did a render with Dodger's Marvin, but this image uses the "Blank Boi" (from "you know where") and the helmet, skirt and tennis shoes are from a figure I exported from XNALara. You can tell because the accessories here have sharply designed edges while Dodger modeled very "soft" surfaces, a stylistic choice I imagine.

As for the shared mapping? I can't remember. I'd need to find the UV templates for each product or open them in UV Mapper to compare.

Sincerely,

Bill

 .

NICE!

Beautiful images folks!

That Marvin is just TOO cute!

Thanks!

Aiko3 from WAY back in the day. (2006) 

McGrandpa posted at 10:02 PM Tue, 5 October 2021 - #4428578

That Marvin is just TOO cute!

Dodger's "Marvin" has the benefit of eyes that can convey expression and "look" around), but the arms and legs are considerably longer than Chuck Jones' "model sheets".  If "shrunk", they "ripple" and "warp".  I could have "frankensteined" the two figures, using the head of Dodger's freebie upon the shoulders of the "Blank Boi", but I didn't think of it when I composed this silly composition.

A friend upon a different forum thought Mzzkiti" was holding a miniature rocket, taunting Marvin.  The accidental alignment of her left hand does kinda' suggest that, but it's supposed to be her transport, Coflek-Gnorg's pill shaped saucer being Marvin's.

DAZ is having a "everyone's a PC+ member" promotion today. The Melody for A3 and Micah for H3 bundle is $2.99.

I am not sure but I think that I still haven't shown part of my Aiko3 collection here. So, from left to right:

1. Eva (Lobo75)
2. Brielle (Thorne & Sarsa)
3. Liana (HandspanStudios)
4. Sydni (Thorne & Sarsa)
5. Alleycat (renapd)
6. Miette (Thorne & Sarsa)
7. Mila (Thorne & Sarsa)
8. Neelam (Syltermermaid)
9. Nya (Rhiannon)
10. Salome (Thorne & Sarsa)
11. Zoraide (Syltermermaid)

For those of you who own Plebeian for Aiko3, this is a great add-on costing $ 2.32 / 2.90 just for today. HERE

"Hail, hail, the gang's all here"

Nice. I swear Poser clothing used to be a lot more elaborate than it is now.

Been playing with Aiko/Melody, and I have a question about Oshikai's retro skirt for Aiko 3 (once sold at RDNA, now free at his DeviantArt). He has Star Trek textures for it at ShareCG, but they don't look right. The cloth texture is weirdly dark and shiny (easy enough to fix). I can't get the combadges or cuff rank to show up. The MAT files seem to work, but don't render at all. I assume something's changed in Firefly since these files were created.

On examining the texture maps, it looks like the badge and the cuff ranks don't match the uniform UV.

If you look where the conforming Retro Dress is located, there is a folder called AikoTrek that contains the badge and cuff ranks.  Apply those first then you can render the complete uniform.

Thanks! How odd. The dress has material zones for the rank and badge, that are changed when you apply the MAT files, but they don't render. Seems like they wouldn't be needed at all, if there are separate conformers.

Caitian Melody. Too bad the digitigrade feet are no longer available. It's Oshikai's uniform, which is a lot tighter and shorter than the PoserWorld Aiko 3 uniform.

BTW, do any of the Aiko 3 textures have cat pads on the palms, like Little Dragon's Mia?

BTW, do any of the Aiko 3 textures have cat pads on the palms, like Little Dragon's Mia?

Thanks! That looks pretty cool.

Thanks! That looks pretty cool.

Halloween edit.

Nicely spooky! What hair is that?

Nicely spooky! What hair is that?

@ethin reminds me of Tangella from Creature Features.

randym77 posted at 5:42 PM Thu, 28 October 2021 - #4429512

Nicely spooky! What hair is that?

PH Catwalk hair with some of Tequila Hair's bangs.

randym77 posted at 5:42 PM Thu, 28 October 2021 - #4429512

Check your Rendo' site mail if you would be so kind.

@ethin reminds me of Tangella from Creature Features.

I do see a resemblances.

More spooky!

Tomb Maiden.

Lets brighten the day a bit with Aiko 3