3D Art Guide

How to Start for Free in DAZ 3D
My guide for those who are interested in trying a free 3D poser art program.

Dear Friends:

Please read through this start-up guide before you start clicking on links or registering anywhere! I have developed this guide because I wanted to be able to share my personal �insider secrets� with folks who want to get into 3D poser art. Why? Number one, I believe art makes our world a better place. Number two, I respect even the stuffiest artist copyrights, and I can now make my very own worry-free goodies. It�s such a great feeling to be able to tell someone �I made this.�

This guide includes all of the things I wish I would have known from day one. With a little investment of your time up front, you will save lots of time, effort and money in the end. Yes, this is a LOT of information to digest at one sitting, but it's well worth the time. Your patience is greatly appreciated as I add or edit parts of this guide to make it more useful. I enjoy DAZ Studio so much that I'm registered with their Affiliate Program. My affiliate link is included here. Thank you for making it the first link you click on after you check system requirements. I hope you'll join me for fun in the wonderful world of DAZ and 3D soon!

Creatively yours,

Cat of Le Chat Designs

DAZ Studio is tell-ware, which means that in return for the free program you promise to tell at least two other people about DAZ who don�t currently use it. Easy, huh? By the way, this is a full-featured program, not a trial version or limited-features download. DAZ Studio has tech support available on site,or telephone toll-free during regular business hours: 1-800-267-5170.

Suggested Start-up List:

BEFORE YOU DOWNLOAD ANYTHING: Click here to make sure your computer meets system requirements!!!!

1. Create your account and free registration(click on the Daz Banner above).
2. Download Main Program: DAZ Studio, Version 1.3.0.1, your choice PC or MAC Version
    � http://www.daz3d.com/program/studio/1_0index.php
3. Free Weekly Models (Wednesday or Thursday for DAZ)
    � Current Freebie Available via DAZ Index Page (must be added to your shopping cart & is only offered for one week as a freebie)
    � DAZ Old Freebie Archive: http://freebackend.daz3d.com/free_weekly/archive_list.php
4. Free Main Figures
    � Aiko 3, Japanese-style Anime Girl Character (Free thru June 30th, 2007)
    � MICHAEL 3 Realistic Style Male Figure (Free thru June 30th, 2007)
5. Freepozitory Forum Features Member and Artist Created Freebie items (may have to place the content folders in the right spots with these, file placement tutorials available in Forum)
6. Members Only Forum Special Features and Freebies for DAZ Platinum Club Members
7. DAZ Platinum Club Membership Primary Features and Benefits:
    � If after you try DAZ Studio, you decide you'd like to try out the Platinum Club, I recommend starting with the $29.95 One Month Membership for two reasons: 1) 30-day money back guarantee 2) You don't have a long-term commitment; you can renew your membership at $7.95 per month or upgrade to an annual membership in the future..

i. Monthly Membership
1. $29.95 sign up, $7.95 per month thereafter
2. $5.00 Free Monthly Voucher good towards the purchase of any non-Platinum Club products
3. Automatic 30% Discount on DAZ Original products
4. Access to Members Only Forums, exclusive tutorials and product Sneak Previews
5. Hundreds of Platinum Club $1.99 products to choose from

ii. Annual Membership
1. $99.95 sign up, Full 12 month Membership, $69.95 Annual Membership Renewal or Upgrade from Monthly Membership
2. $5.00 Free Monthly Voucher good towards the purchase of any non-Platinum Club products
3. Automatic 30% Discount on DAZ Original products
4. Access to Members Only Forums, exclusive tutorials and product Sneak Previews
5. Hundreds of Platinum Club $1.99 products to choose from

    � If you have any questions at all about the programs or memberships, call the nice folks at DAZ: 1-800-267-5170.
    � Platinum Club Releases: Content For PC Members, just $1.99!! Can you say, �Such a deal�?

      A Few Items I enjoy from the Platinum Club:
i. Loose Comb Hair- Fits the Millenium Women figures (V3, SP3, and A3).
ii. La Fleur Noire for A3, Lots of nice texture add-on's available.
Cuffed Tail- Fits a good selection of the Millenium figures (M3, V3, SP3).
ii. GREEK BATH, Wonderfully robust package includes extra props, poses, light and camera settings and background skies.
iii. A3 MORPHING FANTASY DRESS, Extremely versatile dress for the free Aiko 3 figure, lots of add-on textures available.

*PLEASE NOTE: Any clothing labeled "DYNAMIC" is designed specifically for use in Curious Labs Poser 5 or higher.*

A Few Nice 3D Sites (See the separate 3D Freebie List):

� Renderosity: Free Stuff: Good variety of content and lots of free goodies for many programs
� Runtime DNA (RDNA)
� 3D Commune
� Poser Pros (A DAZ Artists� Community and Store)
� Content Paradise
� Ness Reproductions (High quality UK Victorian Era Furnishings and Props- Ness is also one of the nicest people I know.)

Further Suggestions & Notes:

Create a new folder to hold your downloads and place it for easy access. I strongly suggest that you only download "Commercial Use" allowed files. Failure to respect a content creator�s Terms of Use or Service will get you banned or black listed in the 3D community at large! On the whole, the 3D community is helpful and generous to a fault, but it will not tolerate TOS/TOU violators or folks who collect their content only to burn CD�s for resale. Always check the TOU and/or "Read Me" file. You can usually e-mail the content creator if you have questions about the terms.
If you will be creating images for resale or public consumption, don�t download anything that has non-commercial TOS.

Don�t forget to check the content description to make sure it is compatible with DAZ Studio or with your current version of a 3D Graphics Program. Also, some content is an add-on or expansion to other content. Please make sure you have the necessary pre-requisite content. Make sure you don't accidentally buy an outfit or texture that doesn't fit your figure. You can easily call DAZ Customer Service if you have any questions: 1-800-267-5170

MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE FUN & FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS INFO WITH FRIENDS OR ART INSTRUCTORS!

E-MAIL: Please use the heading "Cat Mail" so your message is not accidentally deleted as junk.

Last edited January 11th, 2007

3D CONTENT LIST

CONTACT

TUTORIAL

SNEAK PEEK: GETTING READY FOR OUR FIRST TUTORIAL

Our first project will require you have installed the following:
     1) DAZ Studio, your choice MAC or PC version (self-installer, default recommended)
     2)   DAZ Free Aiko 3 Figure Base (self-installer)
     3) TBA: Free Texture Base (skin texture) for Aiko 3 Figure (you may use the free default texture if you like)
     4) Hair for Aiko: Nyoko Hair is included with the Free Aiko 3 Figure Base
     5) TBA: Clothes for Aiko 3

If you've had some previous program experience or just want to get started on your own, great! However; I won't be available till after Valentine's Day. If you have any program questions or system requirement questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to call DAZ Customer Service during business hours: 1-800-267-5170
I have found them to be very courteous and helpful with both product and tech support.

JUST A FEW "POSER TERMS"

Poser or Poser Art has come to mean all 3D art to most people. There are several popular programs used to create most of the 3D images you see. I use DAZ Studio because it's free. There is a 3D art program by Curious Labs called Poser.
Poser Figure or Poseable Unimesh Figure: Refers to the basic 3D figures that can be posed. Examples include people, clothes and hair, but also include other things with poseable parts.
Poser Prop: Any non-poseable figure. Examples include buildings and weapons. Smart Props include weapons that can be auto fitted to a hand.
Runtime: Your main 3D content directory.
Morph Packages: Morphs allow you to manipulate the appearance of a Poser Figure when it is loaded in your program of choice.
Character Packages: May contain morphs and/or textures. When it comes to the ones for sale, look for high resolution details, lots of options and extras.
Textures: Applied textures affect the surface appearance of the base figure or prop.
Poser or 3D Communities: These are places where the 3D artists and content creators hang out and have a lot of fun. Most folks are very nice. You are expected to follow posted rules of any particular community you join. When in doubt about something, ask an administrator of the community before doing it. 3D computer art truly is a group effort. It takes the cooperation and efforts of the community to make the end results possible.
Image or Product Credits: We 3D artists and content creators try our best to give credit to others who have contributed something to our final images whenever appropriate or possible.
Non-Commercial vs Commercial Use: When in doubt stick with commercial use content.
Never be afraid to ask "newbie" questions if you can't find an answer after looking in the New Members or FAQ's board, forum or "sticky" first. Most of the Admins and members try to be helpful.