FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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(The Songbird ReMix Series Upgrades)
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(Weird Hip bumps and messed up feet)
 
= Songbird ReMix General Topics =
= Songbird ReMix General Topics =
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== What do I need to upgrade or get to use Songbird Remix or the add-on packages? ==
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== What programs and versions are supported? ==
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Currently the Songbird ReMix series supports Poser version 9.0+ (by Smith-Micro) and DAZ Studio 4.5+ (by DAZ3D). There are a few stand-alone static Songbird ReMix bird sets that were created for Vue 7.0 (by E-on Software).  New rendering systems (circa 2015) for Poser (Superfly) and DAZ Studio (iRay) are currently not supported due to their "newness" and stability, however there are plans to eventually include support and there are current work-arounds available (See the [[Rendering Quirks and Tips]] Section).
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'''For products that '''Require Songbird ReMix''' you'll need:'''
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Since the model format is Wavefront's .OBJ it is possible to import the model directly into other 3D programs or via a Poser or DAZ Studio Export, however these conversions are not formerly supported, and support is given on a case-by-case basis.
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix Songbird ReMix Standalone]  '''OR'''    [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-upgrade Songbird ReMix Upgrade] '''+'''  [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird "DAZ Original" Songbird Model]
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'''Add-on Packages requiring the Songbird Model:'''
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix2-characters Songbird ReMix Characters]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-characters-2-woodpeckers Songbird ReMix Woodpeckers]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix2-threatened-endangered-extinct Songbird ReMix Threatened Endangered Extinct Volume 1]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/cool-and-unusual-birds-1 Songbird ReMix Cool & Unusual Birds Volume 1]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-european-edition Songbird ReMix European Edition Volume 1]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-second-edition Songbird ReMixSecond Edition (aka Songbird ReMix "2")]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-parrots-of-the-world Songbird ReMix Parrots of the World]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/cool-and-unusual-birds-2 Songbird ReMix Cool & Unusual Birds Volume 2]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-threatened-endangered-extinct2 Songbird ReMix Threatened Endangered Extinct Volume 2]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-yucatan Songbird ReMix Yucatan]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-amazon Songbird ReMix Amazon]
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== What do I need to upgrade or get to use Songbird Remix or the add-on packages? ==
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'''Stand-Alone Packages:''' (meaning they don't require the base Songbird Remix Model).
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With my move to Hivewire3D.com in July 2013, the requirements have changed in the Songbird Remix series.<br>
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/wild-turkey Songbird ReMix Wild & Domestic Turkey]
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'''All sets are stand-alone now.'''
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/toucans Songbird ReMix Toucans]
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The "Songbird Remix Upgrade" set has been discontinued, use [http://hivewire3d.com/songbird-remix.html Songbird ReMix Standalone] instead.
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-motherhood Songbird ReMix Motherhood] (It's stand alone but the Songbird ReMix Model is recommended)
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/vultures Songbird ReMix Vultures]
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** [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/condors Songbird ReMix Condors]  (Requires Vultures)
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/penguins Songbird ReMix Penguins]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-seabirds Songbird ReMix Sea Birds Volume 1]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-puffins Songbird ReMix Puffins]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-shorebirds-volume-i Songbird ReMix Shorebirds Volume 1: Wading Birds]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-shorebirds-volume-2 Songbird ReMix Shorebirds Volume 2: Herons and Bitterns]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-shorebirds-volume-3 Songbird ReMix Shorebirds Volume 3: Small Waders]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-jacanas Songbird ReMix Jacanas of the World]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-australia-volume-i Songbird ReMix Australia Volume 1|Australia Volume 1: Doves and Pigeons to Whipbirds and Babblers]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-australia-volume-ii Songbird ReMix Australia Volume 2|Australia Volume 2: Australasian Robins to White-eyes]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-australia-volume-iii Songbird ReMix Australia Volume 3|Australia Volume 3: Previously Released Australian Birds]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-birds-of-legend Songbird ReMix Birds of Legend]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-european-edition2 Songbird ReMix European Edition Volume 2]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-threatened-endangered-extinct-3 Songbird ReMix Threatened Endangered Extinct Volume 3]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-dodo Songbird ReMix Threatened Endangered Extinct 3 Dodo add-on]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-hummingbirds-of-north-america Songbird ReMix Hummingbirds of North America]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-hummingbirds-of-south-america Songbird ReMix Hummingbirds of South America]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-seabirds-2Songbird ReMix Seabirds Volume 2]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-hawaii Songbird ReMix Hawai'i]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-cool-and-unusual-birds-3 Songbird ReMix Cool and Unusual Birds 3]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/songbird-remix-ostriches Songbird ReMix Ostriches]
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* [http://www.daz3d.com/shop/new-releases/songbird-remix-flock-formations Songbird ReMix Flock Formations]
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== The Songbird ReMix Series Upgrades ==
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== The Songbird ReMix Series Upgrades (and my other Products) ==
   
   
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I'll try to say this as plainly (too) as I can... '''Songbird Remix 3 is the latest version of the model(s)'''.  Unlike many other products (such as Victoria 1, 2, 3, 4) you do not have to toss  and repurchase everything. I upgrade everything for '''FREE'''.  
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I'll try to say this as plainly as I can... '''Songbird Remix 3 is the latest version of all my bird model(s)'''.  Unlike many other products (such as Victoria and Michael) you do not have to toss your existing content and repurchase everything. I upgrade everything for '''FREE'''. I do update my CR2s from time to time. The latest CR2(s) can be found the [http://www.empken.com/downloads/downloads2.html Songbird ReMix Downloads].
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'''To get the latest version of Songbird ReMix:''' The core product, Songbird ReMix (also in upgrade and bundle) were last updated April 26, 2012. Reset your DAZ download to get it. Included in that base package are all the SBRM3 bases (Songbird, Parrot, Gamebird, Syndactyl and Zygodatcyl). You'll need those bases for the other volumes (listed above in the "Requires Songbird ReMix" list)  
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'''To get the latest versions/updates of my products:''' The answers to this is two-fold; one of my DAZ3D customers and one for my Hivewire3D Customers...
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* '''DAZ3D Customers:'''  Updates will no longer be available through DAZ3D directly as they are no longer my publisher. Hivewire3D has kindly offered a solution to this. Hivewire3D (my current publisher) will honor your Songbird ReMix purchases at DAZ for updates provided you open a Hivewire3D account and provide some form of Proof of Purchase (such as a screen capture of the Songbird ReMix packages you own listed in the DAZ Download Manager or your DAZ account Page). [http://www.empken.com/about/email.html Email Ken] with the screen capture and the email you use for your Hivewire3D account and he'll get the updated files linked to your Hivewire3D account.
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* '''Hivewire3D Customers:''' The last series-wide update of Songbird Remix was on '''July 1, 2013'''. Reset your Hivewire3D download(s) to get these '''FIRST'''. All current and future updates for Hivewire3D Customers can be found in my [http://www.empken.com/downloads/downloads2.html Songbird ReMix Downloads]. These updates will periodically be given to Hivewire3D and the date shown here (July 1, 2013) will change.
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I do update my CR2s from time to time. The latest CR2(s) can be found the [http://www.empken.com/downloads/downloads2.html Songbird ReMix Downloads].
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== I'm having troubles with the Conforming Crests ==
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== I'm having troubles with the Conforming Crests in Poser? ==
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Well, if you're like me, you don't read those readmes and other documentation when the DAZ installer asks if you want to read them. They then get buried some where in the Poser Runtime and are soon forgotten.  There's a PDF file you'll find incredibly useful; the Manual and Field Guide. Now I know I roll my eyes at manuals but you'll find the Field Guide part of the manual pretty cool-- there's all sorts of information about the birds featured in the package like habitat, status, nesting habits and cool facts. If you can't find the PDF, go to [http://www.empken.com/downloads/downloads2.html Songbird ReMix Downloads] ; copies of all the manuals are there.
Well, if you're like me, you don't read those readmes and other documentation when the DAZ installer asks if you want to read them. They then get buried some where in the Poser Runtime and are soon forgotten.  There's a PDF file you'll find incredibly useful; the Manual and Field Guide. Now I know I roll my eyes at manuals but you'll find the Field Guide part of the manual pretty cool-- there's all sorts of information about the birds featured in the package like habitat, status, nesting habits and cool facts. If you can't find the PDF, go to [http://www.empken.com/downloads/downloads2.html Songbird ReMix Downloads] ; copies of all the manuals are there.
== Ken's take on Songbird ReMix Vs. other artist's bird models ==
== Ken's take on Songbird ReMix Vs. other artist's bird models ==
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Many people have asked me what I think of other artists creating birds or textures for my Songbird ReMix series.  That's easy question... the more birds out there, the better for the users (more choices), and the more visibility and respect birds will get.  It's probably clear to most that I do the birds I want to do. I don't really look at market trends-- if I did, I'd be creating skimpy clothes for the Victoria and Stephanie models. In some cases at my chosen vender, DAZ3D, I have overlapped some bird species found in other artist's product list (Blue Tit, Raven, Pigeon, etc) and, in some cases, they have overlapped my library. If I create an overlap, it's just simply I wanted them in Songbird ReMix format.
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Many people have asked me what I think of other artists creating birds or textures for my Songbird ReMix series.  That's easy question... the more birds out there, the better for the users (more choices), and the more visibility and respect birds will get.  It's probably clear to most that I do the birds I want to do. I don't really look at market trends-- if I did, I'd be creating skimpy clothes for 3D female models. In some cases, I have overlapped some bird species found in other artist's product list (Blue Tit, Raven, Pigeon, etc) and, in some cases, they have overlapped my library. If I create an overlap, it's just simply I wanted them in Songbird ReMix format.
== Expansion Plans ==
== Expansion Plans ==
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I've had numerous requests for all sort of birds around the world. While I try to try each request seriously, there's only so much I can do. Many times a number of requests end up in a Regional and theme volume.  I eventually plan to cover select species of the entire bird world with Songbird ReMix or SBRM hybrid models.
I've had numerous requests for all sort of birds around the world. While I try to try each request seriously, there's only so much I can do. Many times a number of requests end up in a Regional and theme volume.  I eventually plan to cover select species of the entire bird world with Songbird ReMix or SBRM hybrid models.
* What does the "MirrorStretch" morph do in the conforming crest models? MirrorStretch: Mirrors the “Stretch” Action morph found in the model Head's section.
* What does the "MirrorStretch" morph do in the conforming crest models? MirrorStretch: Mirrors the “Stretch” Action morph found in the model Head's section.
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= DAZ|Studio Use =
 
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== How to use SBRM in DAZ|Studio ==
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=Rendering Tips and Issues=
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See the [[Rendering Quirks and Tips]] Section
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'''''Revised for DAZ Studio 4...''''' The latest versions of DAZ Studio 4 appear to be having issues with the Songbird Remix library. I have made DAZ aware of this issue.  The problem generates from the recent versions (4.0+) of DAZ Studio not having backward compatibility with the version of DAZ Studio the Songbird ReMix library were written with (Version 2.3). Errors reported span from crashes to mismapped textures. '''UPDATE:''' I've been informed DAZ has corrected the comptability problem on the Advanced and Professional versions of DAZ Studio4. The free version has not been corrected yet.
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=Using Specific Programs=
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* Make sure you have '''BOTH''' the Poser and DS version of my product and installed
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== DAZ|Studio Use ==
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* Load the appropriate Bird base model CR2 (and conforming parts, if needed) from the POSER version
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* Apply in the Character settings from the DAZ Studio Version to the base model (''! CreateYourOwn : Characters : Name of SBRM Library''). '''This will load the proper DS character and material settings on the bird base.''' Loading settings from Poser's Poses command will give undesirable results (improper sizing of feet and overall scale issues)
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* You will need to assemble some birds (conforming crests, tails).  Use the "FIT TO" command as you would with conforming clothes on the Bird Base.
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This will probably be the solution DAZ ends up using... if so, there will no longer be prebuilt birds on Studio versions. I have dropped all my current projects to address this issue with all my products at DAZ. I will announce will the official fixes are available.
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=== How to use SBRM in DAZ|Studio ===
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* Versions of DAZ|Studio prior to 4.5 have problems with the Propagating Scale of the Feet in Songbird ReMix. Unfortunately, the only current solution is to manually scale all the digits on each foot. To determine if manual scaling is needed, look at the SCALE settings on rFoot or lFoot parts in DAZ|Studio. If the amount is more than 100%, then all the digits (rPinky1, rPinky2, rMid1, etc.) will need to be scaled accordingly. As this is a known bug in DAZ|Studio that will hopefully get corrected in a forth-coming release/patch. The easy way to correct the scaling issues is to use the "Scale Feet" pose commands in the Songbird ReMix Native DS versions otherwise use the Scaling Tool.  
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* The current and future versions of the DAZ Studio version of Songbird ReMix are '''written for DAZ Studio 4.5 and above'''. They use the .duf format.  I will no longer support earlier versions of DAZ Studio. As of 2013, all files will be found under "Poser Formats" when using DAZ Studio. Studio material scripts within the Poser "Runtime" to accurately apply the proper Studio material settings.
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DAZ Studio 4.5+ finally added in Propagating scale for my feet creating a new problem since all the older versions were written to compensate for the missing propagating scale commands.  Now I have a Scale Feet Fix available for 4.5+ users to fix the fix in my downloads.
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=== Using the Latest CR2 in DAZ Studio ===
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* Simply get the latest .cr2s from the Downloads Section and install them into the Poser "Runtime" portion of your "My Library" folder.
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== Using the Latest CR2 in DAZ Studio. ==
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=== The bird feet look messed-up/out of scale in DAZ Studio ===
    
    
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* While the premade DS birds are great, there are issues when wanting to take advantage of the latest master CR2. Unlike Poser, all the joint parameters and morphs are hard coded to the preassembled bird. Thus to take advantage of the latest CR2, it needs to be rebuilt from a Poser import of using the latest CR2 and PZ2 files.  Native DS version will be periodically updated  in the Download section.
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* Version 4.5 of DAZ Studio changed the way DAZ Studio handles scaling. Versions 4.5+ handle scaling radically different from Version 2.3, 3 and 4. '''Make sure you are using the most recent version of DAZ Studio and the Songbird ReMix package you have.''' I no longer support versions of DAZ Studio lower than v4.5. Look at the section above on how to get the free upgrades to the latest versions of your products
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= POSER Use =
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=== Rendering Issues with iRay ===
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* See the [[Rendering Quirks and Tips]] Section
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== How to Remove the Black Triangles in Renders ==
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== POSER Use ==
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* Download the latest Songbird ReMix CR2 (Version 2.7 or above)
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=== Rendering issues with Reality or SuperFly ===
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* See the [[Rendering Quirks and Tips]] Section
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== Square Shadows ==
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== Vue, Bryce & Other 3D App Use ==
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Small birds may render with a SQUARE shadow. This is a bug in Poser. Poser can’t figure out how to render a shadow for something really small, so it creates a square shadow. The solution is to put a larger item that casts a normal Poser shadow in the scene (even if it is off camera) and the square shadows will be fixed.
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= Vue, Bryce & Other 3D App Use =
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== When importing Poser 6 content, the morphs are not coming in correctly. ==
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=== When importing Poser 6 content, the morphs are not coming in correctly. ===
   
   
* In Poser, switch off External Binary Morph Target support on the Misc tab of the General Preferences dialog (CTRL/CMD+K) before saving your PZ3/PZZ for import into Vue.
* In Poser, switch off External Binary Morph Target support on the Misc tab of the General Preferences dialog (CTRL/CMD+K) before saving your PZ3/PZZ for import into Vue.
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== There are weird artifacts/triangles showing up near the bird in my renders. ==
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=== There are weird artifacts/triangles showing up near the bird in my renders. ===
* Those are probably the invisible wing and beak controller guides labeled as RForeArm, RHand, RFeather, LForearm, LHand, LFeather and Beak.  In Vue's Material Editor either make them invisible again by turning transparency to 100% or delete them.  
* Those are probably the invisible wing and beak controller guides labeled as RForeArm, RHand, RFeather, LForearm, LHand, LFeather and Beak.  In Vue's Material Editor either make them invisible again by turning transparency to 100% or delete them.  
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== Textures on the Wings or fluff feathers in Vue aren't rendering correctly ==
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=== Textures on the Wings or fluff feathers in Vue aren't rendering correctly ===
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See the [[Rendering Quirks and Tips]] Section
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*Vue often creates dark squares on Songbird ReMix wings. I'm not really sure why this happens and there's no easy solution.  One thing that will minimize the issue is to use "Poly Mesh Options" and split the model shoulders (wings) by materials. Select the "wingfeathers" material in each shoulder to change the smoothing to 60% or less. Do this, or or in combination with the sub-divide for the easiest way.
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*The best solution is to save your bird as an .obj, then go into a 3D modeller and sub-divide the the "wingfeathers" material once and save the .obj. If you do this you may have to re-enter the transparent material maps. Another way, or in combination with the sub-divide method, is to try turning the "wingfeathers" material smoothing down to 60% or less (either on the Poser CR2 or in the VUE mesh editor. This correct 95% of the issues.
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*Sub-dividing the "Fluff" materials helps to cut down on the rings and graying that occur in Vue on Fluff areas.
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== The eye texture is missing or white ==
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=== The eye texture is missing or white ===
* The eyes are probably too reflective and are using a reflection map. Reflective properties differ between programs. The “Eye” material uses a Poser reflection map; since Vue has a built-in environment, it’s better to use the Vue one and cut down the reflection to 20-50% depending on light in the scene.
* The eyes are probably too reflective and are using a reflection map. Reflective properties differ between programs. The “Eye” material uses a Poser reflection map; since Vue has a built-in environment, it’s better to use the Vue one and cut down the reflection to 20-50% depending on light in the scene.
** Turn “Global reflectivity” down to 25%
** Turn “Global reflectivity” down to 25%
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== The Bird is too shiny ==
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=== The Bird is too shiny ===
* Vue reads Poser highlight settings differently than Poser reads them. You'll find often Vue reads the opposite of what Poser would do what highlights, thus materials such as plummage, bodyfeathers, wings, legs read in the 80-90 range when they should be in the 30-40 range.  I also turned down the Highlights on Plumage, PlumageNH, Beak and WingFeathers and TailFeathers to Highland Global intensity 45% and Highlight Global size 30%.
* Vue reads Poser highlight settings differently than Poser reads them. You'll find often Vue reads the opposite of what Poser would do what highlights, thus materials such as plummage, bodyfeathers, wings, legs read in the 80-90 range when they should be in the 30-40 range.  I also turned down the Highlights on Plumage, PlumageNH, Beak and WingFeathers and TailFeathers to Highland Global intensity 45% and Highlight Global size 30%.
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= Carrara Use =
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== Carrara Use ==
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==Using Songbird ReMix within Carrara==
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===Using Songbird ReMix within Carrara===
* It is '''strongly recommended''' that you use DAZ Studio as the vehicle to get Songbird ReMix to work properly in Carrara. Importing from a Poser Runtime may cause issues and deform the model.  
* It is '''strongly recommended''' that you use DAZ Studio as the vehicle to get Songbird ReMix to work properly in Carrara. Importing from a Poser Runtime may cause issues and deform the model.  
** You can then adjust the shaders and drag and drop the bird to the Carrara Browser, thus having a Carrara native version of your bird.
** You can then adjust the shaders and drag and drop the bird to the Carrara Browser, thus having a Carrara native version of your bird.
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== Weird Hip bumps and messed up feet ==
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=== Weird Hip bumps and messed up feet ===
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* This is caused by importing from the Poser Runtime. Carrara (and DAZ Studio) do not support internal Poser Propagating Scale commands within the Songbird ReMix series extensively.  It also fails to read the SmoothZones in the hip region when Thigh yScaling/zScaling is used and radically distort the hip/rump region.  The best solution is to use the DAZ Studio Collada export option described above. If you do not want to use that method, there is a work-around:
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* This is caused by importing from the Poser Runtime. Carrara (and DAZ Studio prior to v4.0) do not support internal Poser Propagating Scale commands within the Songbird ReMix series extensively.  It also fails to read the SmoothZones in the hip region when Thigh yScaling/zScaling is used and radically distort the hip/rump region.  The best solution is to use the DAZ Studio Collada export option described above. If you do not want to use that method, there is a work-around:
** If you are experiencing deformed feet, look at the Scale values for one of the feet and apply those values to the rest of the digits on each foot.
** If you are experiencing deformed feet, look at the Scale values for one of the feet and apply those values to the rest of the digits on each foot.
** If you are experiencing a deformed rump, turn both yScale and or zScale values in the Thighs to 100%
** If you are experiencing a deformed rump, turn both yScale and or zScale values in the Thighs to 100%
** If you are experiencing deformed wings, check both wing parts and make sure WingFold=0. Allow the BODY section morph to control the Wing Fold
** If you are experiencing deformed wings, check both wing parts and make sure WingFold=0. Allow the BODY section morph to control the Wing Fold
** If you are experiencing "Graying" around the Fluff morphs, you'll need to either Hide off/Hide those Fluff areas or adjust the material settings to improve the "look"
** If you are experiencing "Graying" around the Fluff morphs, you'll need to either Hide off/Hide those Fluff areas or adjust the material settings to improve the "look"

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