I can import the geometry (obj) of a poser figure like Dawn or Roxy into Mudbox.  It sculpts beautifully.  However, when I export the the sculped mesh as an obj and try to use it as a morph target, the mesh explodes when dialed.  The vertex order is obviously getting mangled somewhere.  The thing is... this doesn't happen with DS people.  I can morph genesis or DS Dawn in Mudbox, then use DS's morph loader with NO problems.

What would make poser's objs explode, but not DS?  In DS, you have the option to export the base mesh or the hi-res mesh.  Using the base mesh works like a dream.  In poser, you have only one obj to work from.  The reference obj (in the geometries folder) would be the obvious starting point.  Even if you export an obj, you can only do so on a "traditional Poser" skinned figure.  Any other skinning type leads to exporting an obj with no polys. 

The only good news is that, for Dawn and ONLY Dawn, I can export DS Dawn in base mesh format as an object from DS, sculpt in Mudbox, and then addd morphs in DS.  I can then use DS to create a pmd which works in Poser Dawn.  Alas, there is no option like this for Roxie or Rex.  :(

Anyone have any insights?  Suggestions?  Experiences to offer?

Been at this for two days and finally gave up on a direct mudbox-to-poser solution.  I was, however, able to use DS and mudbox to make a very quick elf morph for Dawn. DS allowed me to create a pmd with the character included in it. D3D's Binary Morph Editor allowed me to strip out all other morphs and create inj/rem poses, so I was able to make a quickie "example elf morph" for Dawn in Poser. Thank you, Daz Studio. And, you know, BONUS -- this method will make Dawn morphs that work in both DS and Poser!  And maybe someday Roxie and Rex will get to play, too.

colorcurvature's poser morph loader script (pml) allows you to create Poser morphs in programs like Mudbox that mangle the vertex order. This way you can avoid Daz Studio, which for me is a plus.

This delightful revelation was followed by heartache.  There appears to be no way to purchase it.  I've sent email and sitemail... maybe I'll get lucky and get to purchase a copy.  :(

http://cgscripts.colorcurvature.com/morphloader.html

Hopefully he'll be around. In a perfect world, this script would be purchased by Smith Micro and included in every version of Poser.

I've been talking with a SM employee over at RDNA and I sent him a copy of the manual with the exploded-head Roxie morph obj so he can reproduce my issue.  Perhaps that idea isn't so far from possible...

Found a solution!! 

1. import the BASE MESH (from the geometries folder -- do not export the obj from Poser) into Mudbox.

2. Sculpt.

3. Export obj from Mudbox.

4. Open obj in UV Mapper.  Import UVs.  Save model.

5. Load FBM in Poser and dial it up!! No explosion!! 

I'm very happy.  The SM people really went above and beyond to help me.  :D

what is a mudbox?  sounds like a nifty sculptware.  is it easy to learn?

thanks 

Mudbox is made by Autodesk. It is part of a suite of tools.

It is for painting, sculpting, and retopolgy of 3D meshes.

There is a 30 day demo version of it if you want to try it.

http://www.autodesk.com/products/mudbox/free-trial

It is very easy to learn.  It's biggest drawback is price.  However, if you are a student or teacher (university is okay, too), you can get free or greatly reduced pricing on licenses.

Learn more here:

http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=community_fa

thanks!

MudBox is like zBrush

It is like Z-brush, but I could never wrap my head around the ui for ZBrush.  I find mudbox very intuitive.  Of course, it's also far more expensive.  :P

Quote - It is like Z-brush, but I could never wrap my head around the ui for ZBrush.  I find mudbox very intuitive.  Of course, it's also far more expensive.  :P

I looked on AutoDesk and Google.

How much is a MudBox yearly fee to keep upgraded ?

Ya know where ya give MudBox so much $$$ every year
so soon as a upgrade is released ya get the upgrade .

I saw ya had Max & Maya .If I had the time and $$$ I would get all the CGI App's.

Can ya say which ones geared more towards characters
with rigs "I don't use MoCap".,dynamic hair & cloths etc etc .with out a lot of plugs.
or if there both = that's fine also.

I always kinda favered Maya's UI but ya know if I'll use zBrushes UI I'll use any UI.

Thanks

You think I can afford all those programs??!!  Read back a few posts -- Autodesk has amazing support for students and teachers.  I am a mentor for a FIRST robotics team.  Along with supporting education (K-12 and post-secondary), and educators (same deal), they also support STEM fields.  I get pretty much every Autodesk product at my disposal for free, because I donate my time to help high school kids build robots.  Former physics teacher... so DEFINITELY not wealthy enough to buy those kinds of programs, lol!!

MudBox is $795.00
http://www.autodesk.com/products/mudbox/buy

zBrush is $795.00
http://store.pixologic.com/ZBrush-4R6-Single-User-License/

So far zBrushes upgrades are free.
Not saying I haven't but
I can't remember paying for a zBrush upgrade in 14 years.
who knows about 10 years a go thou.

Looks like MudBox anual fee upgrade $555.00

Blender does it all for free. LOL.

Quote - Blender does it all for free. LOL.

Blender can not do "all" of what zBrush or MudBox does.

Corrrect RorrKonn, but is the difference worth 795? for a hobby?

Quote - Corrrect RorrKonn, but is the difference worth 795? for a hobby?

3D is no different from hobbies such model railroading, R/C cars, etc. You are investing in your craft, whether it be software or hardware upgrades your computer. I worked with a guy last week that flies model helicopters and spent $500 on upgrades to his $200 model because the original parts were cheap.

So if you want the best items for your hobby, then yes, you do eventually have to pay.

Well, I have anim8or from around 1997, Hexagon, and Blender. With a sideslip to Wings from time to time.

Need years to master them all. Ha-ha-; months to look at all "tube-you-me-and us-all" tutorials. LOL. And al that is also valuable "hobby" time.

Zbrush can perhaps do "more" and "more" to be taken with salt and pepper, throw in some mustard. LOL.

But also at the cost of dollars and "more" free hobby time.

Hey, I also fly model airplanes, and a little heli from time to time. LOL.

Zbrush would be great for prof. content creators, agreed.

What I do is set a goal.
Then look for the road "how" to get there.
From what I have seen so far : Mudbox and Zbrush could do it all, but so can all the others.

Quote -
What I do is set a goal.
Then look for the road "how" to get there.
From what I have seen so far : Mudbox and Zbrush could do it all, but so can all the others.

Depends on what you want to do. If I want to do hair,  retopology, or projection paint, the list gets short fairly quickly.

Agreed.