After reading some, it seems like the mesh should be fairly low density to avoid some issues with weight mapped vertex collisions-which rules out V4 and the rest of the mil4 family. But...many, many years ago, DAZ sold (or maybe gave away...my brain is fuzzy on the details) reduced resolution versions of their mil two figures vicky and mike. These had all of the morphs that the big ones had, but far fewer polys. 

Would these work as good options for weight mapping? They take all of V1 and V2 (or M1 and M2) textures-many of which were pretty good. And...they wore all of the mil 2 wardrobe. Now, those items are old, and probably not up to modern standards, but there is at least a ton of content to start with....

Attached Link: 3rd Gen Hybrids

The couple of extra polygons they have compared to V2Lo/M2Lo really make a big difference in realism and as they are exactly the same mesh geometry, they are a lot more versatile than their predecessors.  Not to mention that support is massive.

There really is no problem weightmapping a high res figure like V3 or V4, btw.

On the contrary, the 19.000 polygon mesh of Genesis for example is a big disatvantage when you try to create more elaborate sculpts. Also the necessary render-smoothing eats up any performance gain you might get from a low res figure. (Keeping texture resolution at reasonable sizes is much more effective to keep overhead low)

I solved this problem for me years ago by putting the V3RR/M3RR low res heads on a V3/M3 high res body, resulting in a 40.000 polygon "mid-res" figure, that gives me enough polys to do realistic body sculpts but is yet only half the size of the standard figures. The low res head is also great to work with for creating custom expressions.

Anyway, my point is:

M3Lo and V2Lo are great figures, but your time is better spent if you weightmap V3RR and M3RR. (Or standard V3 and M3. Or David or SP3 or Luke/Laura)

Or even better build yourself a hybrid like I did if you want the best of both worlds.

I read that the hi resolution mesh of v4 causes problems with bending as a result of the polygons collapsing onto one another. So, while those full resolution figures can be weightmapped, and will work better than the previous joints, they won't work as well as the other figures. 

And, I was probably thinking of the mil three RR figures. It's been ages-but those were my figure of choice for a long time. And, I was hoping to inspire someone else to weight  map them;)

At the moment, Phantom3D is weight mapping V4 and he's doing a fantastic job. He did mention that the resolution makes it hard, but that he's getting past the problems.

There is a long list of figures that I and everyone else would like to see weight mapped. Our options are: wait until someone else does it, or do it ourselves. And if the latter and you have no idea how...learn how ;). I'm willing to wait until someone else does it to save myself the frustration. But I'm hoping Miki 1 gets wm before any of the Vickies...lolol.

Laurie

edit: Actually Daz sold them and gave them away I believe ;). When V3/M3 were the lastest thang, they sold the RR figures. But they also gave them away when they gave most of the base figures away for free. Not anymore tho. The free figures are all gone but Mike and Vicky 4 I think.

Oh, I didn't realize that Phantom3d was doing that. I knew he was working on his antonia figure-but it's great to hear that someone I have way too much stuff for will get some attention too. 

Quote - Oh, I didn't realize that Phantom3d was doing that. I knew he was working on his antonia figure-but it's great to hear that someone I have way too much stuff for will get some attention too. 

Yep, the best man for the job too ;) And he did do Antonia as well. She's being tested. If you're so inclined you can take a peek at what's going on if you click the big red letters in my sig ;).

Laurie

Um...laurie...I think you need to be more obvious! ;)

OK, clicked, and will read now:)

Quote - Um...laurie...I think you need to be more obvious! ;)

OK, clicked, and will read now:)

I was going for subtle...:P

Laurie

To clarify, Antonia is not Phantom3D's figure except in the sense that he did the rigging. The mesh was done by odf.

And they both did a phenomenal job.

Ah. Sorry for the confusion.

I would be very interested in seeing a weight mapped M2 and V2.  I use both of them a lot.