Daz users looking to head down the animation path check out Reallusion iClone 6. Watch a few tutorials/product promo's. It is a great price in the Reallusion Renderosity store currently so well worth checking out.

You would require the iClone 3DXchange 6 PRO Bundle Minimum (The 3DXchange software will help you get your characters and props exported Daz>iClone) I use it for Bryce, Poser, Hexagon, Carrara and SketchUp too

Don't forget to check the recommended specs against your computer.

Reallusion Store at Renderosity

Support onsite should you require some help

Visit the iClone forum

Yep, I got the iClone Pro bundle last month. It's fun! I'm staging characters and such for a simple story. Here was a basic test video (click the pic). Love the soft-cloth animation capabilities on static items, such as hair! :) ...and it renders super quick!

@3doutlaw That is good to hear and your video looks great. Good job on the skin spec. Even when using it professional it is fun there is no escaping that. Held some pretty crappy jobs in my time and this isn't one of them. I have a lot of particles and gunfire in my effects for iClone built up over time you can get in packs or individual. however If you go google HitFilm3 Express (Free Version) download, install and render MP4 or AVI files(iClone) in HF3 you could do some great post work including the gun flash from the muzzle. You can add packs to that but doubt you would need it as the free version is better than any sub 200 buck editor on the market today. I feel we are a couple of hundred animators shy of the mark here at Renderosity and I want a TV wall so animators can showcase their work, Enough animators we be able to make a Federal case out of it (Safety in numbers) :-). I would be about 5 years in. Running iC5 Pipeline and iC6 Pipeline, Crazy Talk Animator 2 Pipeline with Mocap I have about 1100 of my Daz/Poser props in use with iClone 100-140 Daz characters you might have to tweak a little but easy and gives you a good sized library, The Dreamland Models City Blocks up in the Rendo store slot straight in for example. This is why I raised the topic in Daz if a member has a healthy Daz/Poser library they get off to a flying start with content.

Be sure to keep us updated on your progress with your video. There is a "Showcase your Work" section in the iClone 6 rendo forum swing by and say hello to Realtimer. I put the link in at the start topic of this thread

Thanks JG, off to get the Hitfilm Express and give it a try. :) Thanks for the tip! Yea small vid I made was with Carrara and had fun doing it. Unfortunately, that software is just being abandoned, which is a shame. I liked it. They did have some animators, think they made the Carrarators site. Anyway, I like this software seems in very active development, so more good things to come!

The Reallusion team won't let you down in the active development department so progressive you need to set time aside to teach yourself all the new tricks. Support is there too which I find more important than anything.

If you loiter around the Carrara Cafe occasionally like I do maybe Daz decided to concerntrate on their flagship product but the users/fans won't abandon Carrara for some time yet and as far as I am concerned Daz were at turning point complete update including engine or shelve it. Biz wise perhaps the right decision was made but i shame for sure. Your Carrara will still be a valuable asset as you can build great terrains I find working with mesh good in there too and pop them into your iClone via 3DX6
You will never regret getting HitFilm3 only tip I give is if you really get along with it well then keep the free version and then upgrade to Pro in one hit as it is a fair bit more expensive going the add on route. I think $299 in one hit and $470 odd for the add on as you go. With the Pro you can even import 3D models into your film and particles into your scenes.

Look forward to seeing some of your work