I just ran across mention of this item while looking at the DAZ freebies. It looks an interesting product Can anyone let me know if they've used it ? Does it work with Poser 4 ?

It was made for Poser 4. With a little tweaking of the material settings, it should work fine in Poser 5, also. Poser 3 is out of the question, however; the Cyclorama makes use of transmaps, a feature that Poser 3 lacks.

I was wondering about this product too. The freebie this week doesn't work unless you get the full product. I wondered if people with Bryce and Vue would have any benefit purchasing this, especially since Vue imports full Poser figures.

I have it and use it a lot, but there would be no advantage that I can see to taking it into either Vue or Bryce. It's a set that lets you set up a 3D scene in Poser. I can pose a character behind a tree or bush and have her peek our or walk out from behind it. Haven't used the new scene yet. Marque

Is this in any way similar to the Infinity Cove or Cyclo-Drop over at DNA?

It is similar but bigger and more complex. It's not hard to use, though. I imported a scene containing the Cyclorama into Vue 4 and it came in fine. However, you'd have to do some tweaking with the material settings to make it look right. Something I didn't have the time or inclination to do. Freyfaxi, to answer your original question, it works very well, is simple to use, and renders nicely in Poser 4. Haven't tried it in 5 yet. You can make your own textures for it to create different backgrounds, although you have to figure out how for yourself. There are no instructions on how to do it.

The freebie is just a pair of images, with a ground texture in the lower part and the actual background in the upper, so you should be able to cut them apart in an image editor and apply to the ground and to the cyclodrop, or just a backing rectangle.

You can actually go behind objects???? The others..nerds backdrop, and the RDNA one oar just backplanes...flat..

Yes you can walk behind the trees, rocks and other planes Marque

What is the name of the file that you download from Daz for the multiplane cyclorama? I just changed systems and I can't find that file on my other computer. Thanks, Marque

Is the cyclorama at all similar to Ricardi's Poser Studio (http://market.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=10512) in how it works? I've gotten that and andix's 3dmodelz Foreground Tool (http://market.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=13895). I haven't tried either in Poser 5. The Daz freebie's file is called: cyclobackgrounds. I don't have the cyclorama just yet but I am interested in whether or not it has additional features that make it a good addition to what I already have (which includes Nerd's backdrop).

the file is called cyclorama.exe

well blow me away...with layering and transparency ???

I can't find it, guess I need to send a copy of my receipt to Daz and download it again. Marque

I have all the aforementioned props, so I'll risk boring those-who-know with descriptions of how they differ. Nerd's backdrop and the RDNA Infinity Cove are backdrops, like hanging theatrical scrims, on which properly proportioned images can be projected as "texture." The advantage is that the props curve forward at ground level so that figures' shadows will show in the scene. It's a cool solution, but has limitations. I use the Cove extensively for abstract backgrounds. I've found it difficult to calibrate my own digital photos to work with Nerd's tool, although there are now lots of textures for it that work. The DAZ Cyclorama offers what I feel is a superior solution. There is a truly level "ground" which is textured to match the background prop, which is a semicircular scrim. It comes with moveable transmaps for additional elements (rocks, trees, bushes) for each of the default scenes (beach, field, and forest, all of which are quite nice.) The Cyclorama works well in animations, due to the fact that there are elements at different depths. Have you ever seen one of the very early black/white "Popeye" cartoons? The animators used similar tricks to simulate depth. The new freebie environments work pretty well, although they don't come with additional trans-scrims or light sets, no biggie. Only prob I see is that the curvature on the brick wall is too obvious in an animation, although it does make a beautiful backdrop for still images. The RDNA CycloDrop is similar, although the available textures are more abstract. I haven't seen one yet that simulates an actual realistic environment, although the recently released skies pack includes some beautiful images. The thing I don't think people realize about the Cyclodrop is that it comes with several layers of transparent scrim in front of the main, solid drop. They can be moved individually, furthermore, different images can be applied to each. You can get some very cool effects by playing around. I'll post an image or two that show some effects I've been able to achieve with the free props. I strongly recommend getting the two free background props from RDNA and experimenting. I've been very happy with the DAZ Cyclorama as well.

looks like the dunes on Cape Cod, Anton :) Thanks xoconostle for that runndown...I've played around with the RDNA cyclodrop a bit...7 layers I believe in that baby....its possible to make some pretty cool backgrounds.... but seeing these images, especially the "real" scenes makes one realize how much potential there really is in these props...and much that hasn't been done with them, yet.

Are these renders using Poser 4 or 5 ??? Is it difficult to achieve the same effects in 5 with the materials room? I would think not, but 5 seems to do some funny stuff with transparencies

I used Poser4. LOL Those are the Dunes on Cape Cod.

Dave, In my pic each item (the two rocks, tree stump, and girl) is a separate backdrop tool. I just sized them and assigned the different textures and transparencies. It's very easy if you're familiar with alpha channels and any bitmap editor that supports them.

Coool. I love that one. I like playing with it because it sort of feels like adding "Video Game" quality.

You know this prop is very under-rated. I have been pondering the various possible texture schemes. Rock cliffs with boulders, city alley with trashcans, dumpsters, etc. Scifi scenes with all sorts of control units ,hatchways, corridors etc. Fantasy interior and exteriors. The sky is the limit in the hands of a good texture maker :-) I'm really surprised not to see a ton of textures out there already. Ron Cartier

Anton, hearing that there are more Cyclorama scenes coming is GREAT news! The Cape Cod one in your render, above, is fantastic. I sincerely hope that DAZ will continue to release scenes for the prop, and agree that it seems underappreciated. It would be really nice if DAZ could put out a ReadMe or tutorial (perhaps at Arcana?) on how to make one's own Cyclorama scenes. I suppose I could figure it out with some work, but some pointers would be much appreciated. By the way, I believe that someone has posted a couple of scenes for the Cyclorama to PoserPros. Sorry, can't remember his name or what the pictures were of, but I'm sure a search over there would turn them up.

Very impressive...both the tool and the resulting graphics. I'm going to have to think about adding it...it looks well worth what I recall was a reasonable price. Thank you for all the samples and the great explanation.

How hard is it to create your own scenes. I'm fuzzy on this. I think I'll go buy it to try to understand it. :)

Anton...been to the cape couple of times...that's a great place to go :) heart attack city now that I'm sitting too much on this computer :)

This reminds me compositing 3d models with 2d picture objects in Bryce, or in Poser. If you can map a plane and create a transmap for Poser or alpha channel for Bryce, it sure cuts down on polygons in a scene allowing for more figures.

Are these shrubs in the foreground two dimensional images mapped on a flat plane with transparency mask to hide the plane's edges? Cardboard cutouts so to speak?

diana, yes they are 2d images with a trans map on a flat plane which has a curved section at the bottom of it, kind of like a mini nerds backdrop tool. this allows the base of the plane to blend in better with the ground plane texture. A pretty good idea that works to good effect :-) Basically the whole cyclorama is a very simple prop. A curved backdrop, a ground plane and a few of those mini-backdrops. What makes it look real though is the hires maps/trans maps. It can be very realistic with good global lighting :-) I dont see why the same setup or something silmilar shouldn't work with Bryce.

Thanks for the info RonGC.

Thank you all for your prompt responses to my question - I seem to have started something. Due to your responses, I'm definately going to purchase this tool . Glad it's designed for Poser 4...as thats what I have.

The possibilities some great and its so reasonably priced!

My question was not to import it into Bryce or Vue, but that since Vue will import Poser figures is it worth getting since Vue has more capabilities. Does Cyclorama have full 360 degree rotation in a scene or just three sides? I'll probably end up getting it since I buy most of the DAZ original products.

No the cyclorama isn't full 360 degree rotation it is meant as a backdrop which you can rotate a certain amount. To get a 360 degree scene you have to buy something like the 3d worlds kit sold at Daz. this gives you a ground, terrains, waters, mountains , lights, cameras and a sky dome. With this you can place your cameras all around your subject. For a much more substantial price, i purchased this kit as well as the addons and it works quite well.

But really in terrain generating programs like Vue, you have a lot of versatility to create original worlds. These other scene props are really designed for Poser 4 although they will work in Vue, Bryce.