Quote - ...I spend way more at daz because lower prices makes me thing I am spending less...

LOL... :biggrin: same here.

To be honest, when I saw the coupon attached to a $50 minimum purchase, first thing I thought was, "What happened to the $25 minimum??" :blink: Only once in a blue moon have I ever spent that total in one go on 3d content.

This is really odd, dlk30341.  : Vue 7Inf crashed when I did this too; I got both the standard error message and the new bug report window.

Hey, Mari-Anne. I did some tests, and was surprised at how Vue 7 is handling transparency regarding alpha planes. Yet, I can thankfully get it to work... :P

First of all, I used tif files (that include the alpha channel) to create alpha planes. Vue 7 didn't load the transparency, as did Vue 6.

So I switched to the Basic Material Editor. The Transparency function showed nothing, whereas Vue 6 would have automatically shown the alpha map image.... Then I clicked the Alpha map box, clicked Use color map, and clicked the little black and white diamond to reverse the transparency (because Vue 7 loaded the transparency in reverse by default).

I'm mentioning the last bit about the little diamond because if you have transmaps in which the black and white areas are the opposite of how Vue reads transparencies, you don't have to edit them in an image program to reverse the black & white; you only need to click that button and voila! it's done! :p

By the way, when I used jpgs to create an alpha plane (1 color map and 1 transparency map), the process was even easier in Vue 7 than when I used the tif files... I loaded the maps in the appropriate boxes, and they showed immediately.

So at least we can still use alpha planes until e-on fully resolves this issue... I must say, I'm relieved. If this feature was fully broken, I would cry. :p

VERY helpful post, thundering1!! Thank you!

I'm especially interested in this because I am going to have a computer custom-built. : ) From the sound of things, I am probably always going to have an issue with something -- because I want the comp for my 3D apps, but I would also love to be able to play the demanding games on it as well. :d

Ah well, my first choice is deffo gonna be to build a computer capable of maximizing the features of my 3D programs. Thanks again for your info, I never knew the difference between the cards. :D

Quote - Sounds like I should change my habits, eh?!  Actually, the more I thought about it, I realize the real reason I prefer the Object Prop Panel is that the gizmo doohicky disappeared a couple of times and seemed to be outside of the screen.

Hehe.... Funny you should mention it disappearing... I recall that happening a few times with Vue 5.
At the time, I thought my scenes were taxing Vue (never considered my quickly-aging comp's capabilities!) lol!

AnyHOO, you won't have to change your habits entirely, if you don't mind using those little arrow keys or typing in values. : )  Of course, I say this out of my personal bias, because those are the methods I prefer when not using the gizmos.

Quote - When I use the Numerics Panel in the Object Properties Panel to resize an object (rather than the gizmo in the Main Camera View), the size doesn't gradually increase or decrease as you drag on the axis as it does in Vue 6...

Mari-Anne, I use the Numerics Panel as well to resize some objects inside Vue. I just did a quickie test (with a sphere), and I can confirm that I saw no immediate change when dragging on the axes.

The changes only showed right away if I  typed in various values or used the little up &  down arrows to alter the size. Perhaps you might want to create a support ticket for this?

Concerning preference for using the Numerics Panel, as Rutra asked, I hafta say: 
I personally use it because I suck at being able to determine real world distances, spatial relationships, etc. So it's helpful for folks like me who can't really tell that my horse is too short and that my person is a giant. LOL!!

Quote - Hmmm... my AVG 8 anti-virus/anti-spyware doesn't complain about PhotoZoom Pro....

...I don't have Zone Alarm though.

I have ZoneAlarm and had no problems or strange warnings.  : )

Quote - Could you help me out and tell me how I go about exporting a texture map in Vue and convert it to s 2d image?  I can do the rest, just not sure how to find the texture map to export it.

Well, m.behr, I hate to sound like I'm echoing a bit of Rutra's response, but -- depending on the imported shirt, you may already have an existing texture map for it... unless the original texture is entirely procedural.

The only suggestion I can make is to check all the original files that came with the shirt, and see if any image maps came with it. If so, you are easily in business! You will only have to do as Rutra said...

If, on the other hand, it turns out that you are dealing with a single mesh (the straps aren't separate objects), and a single material, and the material is entirely procedural, I would do a quick & dirty trick of hiding the straps via Vue's boolean feature (combining it with something simple, like a primitive that has a completely transparent material)...

AnyHOO, let us know how you fare! If you still have trouble, there are plenty here far more knowledgeable than myself who can help.

Thank you, jc!! After what I read on the product site, I won't be surprised if PhotoZoom is soon a part of my workflow. :p

I must say, I constantly find wonderful things through rendo members. I've been using an image optimizing proggie that cuts down file size enormously with little to no quality loss -- because of a few posts I found at rendo about it.

Keep the recommendations coming! :p

"Does anyone buy on the basis of a product showcase?"
Hell, yeah!! 

Quote - I suppose I am meant to think that "all this will be yours if you buy Vue 7", whereas I'm thinking "You'll never be as good as that, so don't kid yourself".

LOL! You are not alone!  Both viewpoints go through my head when looking through any software's marvellous promo renders! I initially go through my "OOoOooO! Shiny!!" reactions; but then I think, based on my own slow progression, "By the time I get there, we'll be rendering holograms!"

But be encouraged, my friend. With dedication and time, we can only improve!

Quote - Hmmm, Angelsinger, I really hope you are alone at the moment. Would be embarassing being caught dancing around the computer....lol!

Actually, the beau is away right now, so he can't see my shenanigans!!

Ahh, but he's so used to the dances by now: I have my "I hate this software" dance, and my "joy of joys! this proggie rules!!" dance! lolol

He wisely ignores both dances. hahahahahah

Quote - Painting in all views is fabulous!  ...

HEY! it's YOU again!!!    lolol  

How appropriate you should post now, as your constant encouragement kept my spirits up when I couldn't get my download last night! Again, I thank you!

And yah, it's AWESOME to finally be able to work with Vue 7! I think I'm losing it...
Every new thing I discover is amazing me! I can't stop raving, even to myself. LOL

Dudes! Dudettes!!! MAN, I SOooo wish I could justifiably create a new thread JUST to say this:

I LOVE THE NEW ABILITY TO PAINT ECOSYSTEMS FROM ANY ANGLE!!!

YUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my GOSH, I've been WISHING for that!!! What a JOY to be able to do this in the MAIN VIEW!!! Or ANY view!!! I bought Vue 7 before reading all the new features and my mouth dropped when I started playing with this new version!

dances around Vue 7 Ohmygosh, I am in LOVE

Thank you, Jon. : D

Quote - Put on the coffee pot! ...

Hehehehe... Sounds like you know me. :p I zonked out about an hour after posting here last night. lol

Wooooo.... great suggestion, dlk! I'll keep my fingers crossed and try that!

Thankees again!