There are alot of factors in how long an animation will take you. Dynamic clothing and strand based hair for example. And also post work.

This is an example of an animation that I did trying to learn motion blurring. It's all done post in GIMP, and I rendered the animation to image file (.png) and did the composite in Virtual Dub.

Soooo... the actual animation took about 10 minutes to do because I simply loaded Walk Designer.

The render took about an hour or maybe a bit more because of my render settings. I render to 1920x1080 for a 16x9 HD resolution.

The post comping took about 5 hours to complete.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEgt3KnhN6Y

There are other animations there if you click on my user name...

I am using Poser 8. I tried to use the morph brush before and couldn't seem to get it to do what I wanted it to do (remove a naval). If that's the only way to do it, I may be in trouble. I'll have to practice at it, I guess, until I figure it out.

I do the same thing. Unless the character needs to interact with it, my backgrounds and props are done post.

I am at a loss, hopefully the gurus will chime in and help you here.

How long did you let it sit at frame 1 before you decided it was freezing there? Depending on how much you have in the scene as far as characters and props, et al, your render could take a very long time to do. I have a very short amimation that I did on youtube that took almost 9 hours to render.

Any suggestions on what I could do better, or a link to a tutorial so I can start on the morphs? The manuals aren't that great...

Here is my final result without morphing out the nipples, naval, fingernails, and ears. I am pretty happy with how this suit looks.

Any suggestions on what I could do better, or a link to a tutorial so I can start on the morphs? The manuals aren't that great...

Quote - > Quote - It says G2 James and I am using Simon. Hopefully, it will work...

 

All of the G2 figures share the same body mesh so G2 James, G2 Simon, G2 Koji & G2 Kelvin can all wear the same clothing.

 

Quote - > Quote - Is there something wrong with MatrixWorkz Dynamic Super Suits for G2 Males? They don't include gloves but you can find G2 gloves at PoserWorld I'm sure!

I couldn't get it to work right. The legs didn't drape, and there were other issues. Oh well, back to the drawing board...

You have to uncheck the box that says Start From Zero Pose and you must apply the starting pose in the pose directory to your figure at frame 1. The starting pose will put the legs in the correct starting position for it to follow. Also, if you have Poser 8 with PhilC's Wardrobe Wizard you can convert it to conforming which may work better for you.

I figured that out, but after I rendered it, I decided I didn't really like the overall look, and went back to working on my second skin. Any idea how to morph out fingernails, navals and nipples?

I am working on the rest of the texture map now. If someone can show me a tutorial on how to morph out the nipples and naval, I will be on my way.

Oh, and I am still looking at using displacement, but since his suit covers 98% of his body, do I really need to displace it to make it look real?

Quote - If you don't know how to make either shader, then you won't know how to make a shader that does both.

You don't have a reasonable skin shader and you don't have a reasonable silk shader. Specular effects are prominent on both although they are very different.

In your original post you asked how to put the shine only in some places not others. I didn't know you should first have asked how to put shine on anything at all. 

Now where to begin and how far to go? Hmmm.

Well - first I'd use a Blinn specular node, white, .35, .4, .4 on the values, for the skin. That would go in the Alternate_Specular channel, with the channel value set to white.

For the silky part, I might use the Anisotropic specular node. But that isn't really going to look  very real unless you do a lot of work. First, the cloth is not all silk - some is lace which is even less shiny than skin. Second, it needs to be 3-dimensional. Otherwise it will look like body paint.

Then to combine, you run a Blender into Alternate_Specular to choose which specular to use.

A line from the movie Untouchables comes to mind - What are you prepared to do?

I like that word - prepared. It applies to you here. It is about what you're willing to do, as well as what you're able to do. You have to learn a lot more than how to use a Blender.

Heheheheeeee! I tried this. Wonderful! Genius! :)

Quote - Is there something wrong with MatrixWorkz Dynamic Super Suits for G2 Males? They don't include gloves but you can find G2 gloves at PoserWorld I'm sure!

I couldn't get it to work right. The legs didn't drape, and there were other issues. Oh well, back to the drawing board...

It says G2 James and I am using Simon. Hopefully, it will work...

Quote - Is there something wrong with MatrixWorkz Dynamic Super Suits for G2 Males? They don't include gloves but you can find G2 gloves at PoserWorld I'm sure!

If I have to purchase it, it's out. I can't buy anything. Made a promise to the wife. See above posts...

Ooops. Should have checked the link before I posted. I am downloading it now to check it out.

Thank you!

Quote - Technically, it's only a mesh. :)  

As others have noted, morphs get rid of nipples, navels and nails.  

Yeah, I know. Let me experiment with it. I know I can get rid of nipples, navels and nails. But how to get rid of the toes is the real problem. There are no boots for SimonG2. And the shoes he has don't look good enough with my textures.

So I guess if I am going to be fussy, I better get crackin' on that Blender thing. Maps and displacement aren't going to give me the result I am looking for.

Quote - > Quote - Hey, the most recent scripts in Cage's threads are here:

http://www.the.cage.page.phantom3d.net/TDMT_Match/other_scripts/various.html

This will allow you download the most recent goods.  The thread is helpful to explain what all of his fine scripts do.  There are some very, VERY, useful goodies there and they are all FREE.

Just seems like learning Blender, a fine and lofty goal, might not be required to complete your costume.  I, as you say, lack skills beyond posing.

Good Luck,
R

Thank you, I'll give that a shot. I am willling to try anything once!

By the way, once I download these things, where do I install them? I am getting into an area I am not familiar with here....