Forum: DAZ|Studio


Subject: Need Help making tattoo glow

DemonMage opened this issue on Jun 12, 2010 · 10 posts


DemonMage posted Sat, 12 June 2010 at 9:41 PM

Ok, so I add some tattoo images I found on the net to V4 and I'd like them to appear to be glowing.
Would this be easier to do in post or is there an easy way to do this in DS3A?

I vaguely remember seeing something like this once, but I'm not sure if it was even for this or one of the "big boy toys"...

Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks.


Avros posted Sat, 12 June 2010 at 11:07 PM

I would imagine it would be simpler to load the body texture into a paint program then add your tattoo as a layer, adjust the level slider to brighten or enhance  the layer to how you want it. Merge the two layers and save as a copy {not replace the original} as you may want to change the rotation or placement of the tattoo later.


DemonMage posted Mon, 14 June 2010 at 3:44 AM

Yeah, I already did that. My question is on how to make it appear to glow after the render is finished, thanks for your reply.


Avros posted Mon, 14 June 2010 at 8:03 AM

Go to your surfaces tab and select the skin textures, then slide the glossiness bar to around 80%. Also try the Ambient bar, by changing the default colour black to something of a dark grey. This should do the trick. You will need to experiment til you get what you want.

If you are still finding it difficult to get the result. Show me the skin texture and tattoo you are working with, so as I can find the right solution for you.


DarwinsMishap posted Mon, 14 June 2010 at 8:06 AM

Or you can make the tat in another layer on a black background.  Paint the color of glow you want on it and save it.  Use THAT map over the skin maps in the ambient section of your surfaces tabs and choose another color on the bar that nearly matches what you painted-you can work the settings on how bright it is there, and play with it in test renders to see if it works.

I pulled apart another figure-Giacomo-on the glow tat section, that's about how I see it done.


Avros posted Mon, 14 June 2010 at 8:10 AM

That's a much better way. Thanks, I didn't think of it. Thanks for the tip DarwinsMishap.


DarwinsMishap posted Mon, 14 June 2010 at 2:07 PM

Quote - That's a much better way. Thanks, I didn't think of it. Thanks for the tip DarwinsMishap.

No problem, I hope it works.  I thought about trying (again) it myself, but there's so much going on now I haven't had time.


DemonMage posted Mon, 14 June 2010 at 3:21 PM

Thank you both. Sorry if my second post came off a little "brisk", was having family trouble at the time :- /

I'll give it a try after work. Thanks for your help.


DemonMage posted Wed, 16 June 2010 at 8:40 PM

Got it after only 4 hours of trail and error... not bad at all. True, it required some post work to look just right, but that was a simple matter. Just wanted to let you know I got it.

Thanks again.


DarwinsMishap posted Wed, 16 June 2010 at 9:27 PM

Quote - Got it after only 4 hours of trail and error... not bad at all. True, it required some post work to look just right, but that was a simple matter. Just wanted to let you know I got it.

Thanks again.

Four hours isn't so long, really!  I've worked some twenty on just getting bump/disp maps for one of my characters-and I'm still not done.  Glad to know we could help!!