FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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(Weird Hip bumps and messed up feet)
 
= Songbird ReMix General Topics =
= Songbird ReMix General Topics =
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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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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.
== What do I need to upgrade or get to use Songbird Remix or the add-on packages? ==
== What do I need to upgrade or get to use Songbird Remix or the add-on packages? ==
With my move to Hivewire3D.com in July 2013, the requirements have changed in the Songbird Remix series.<br>
With my move to Hivewire3D.com in July 2013, the requirements have changed in the Songbird Remix series.<br>
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'''All sets are stand-along now.'''  
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'''All sets are stand-alone now.'''  
The "Songbird Remix Upgrade" set has been discontinued, use [http://hivewire3d.com/songbird-remix.html Songbird ReMix Standalone] instead.
The "Songbird Remix Upgrade" set has been discontinued, use [http://hivewire3d.com/songbird-remix.html Songbird ReMix Standalone] instead.
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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'''. 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'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 Volumes:''' The answers to this is two-fold; one of my DAZ3D customers and one for my Hivewire3D Customers...
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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:'''  The last series-wide update of Songbird Remix was on '''April 26, 2013'''. Reset your DAZ3D download(s) to get these '''FIRST'''. All current and future updates for DAZ3D Customers can be found in my [http://www.empken.com/downloads/downloads2.html Songbird ReMix Downloads]. Current and future updates will no longer be available through DAZ3D directly (as they are no longer my publisher).
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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.
* '''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.
* '''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.
== 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 ==
* 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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=Rendering Tips and Issues=
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See the [[Rendering Quirks and Tips]] Section
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== How to use SBRM in DAZ|Studio ==
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=Using Specific Programs=
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* Unfortunately, DAZ Studio does not have the best track record with compatibility in supporting prior versions of its own file formats. The Songbird ReMix has had to be rewritten several times to achieve compatibility as DAZ Studio matures. On a positive note, Version 4.5.1.6 introduced the DSON.duf file format which bridges any issues between Studio and Poser.  This format should help bolster stability with DAZ Studio. 
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== DAZ|Studio Use ==
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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.  The latest updates for DAZ Studio were completed in February 2013 and are available in the DAZ3D and Hivewire3D versions.  The Updates include a DAZ Studio 4.5+ version and a legacy version (for DS 2.3, 3 and 4). Another major change to the DAZ Studio was the moving of all Studio files to co-exist with the Poser files. As of 2013, all files will be found under "Poser Formats" in DAZ Studio.  Studio scripts have been created in the Poser Runtime to accurately apply the Studio settings.
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=== How to use SBRM in DAZ|Studio ===
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== Using the Latest CR2 in DAZ Studio ==
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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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=== 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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* 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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== The bird feet look messed-up/out of scale in DAZ Studio ==
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=== The bird feet look messed-up/out of scale in DAZ Studio ===
    
    
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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 correct version.''' The latest updates in Songbird Remix Downloads have two different versions of DAZ Studio support. Folders marked with the additional description "... for DS3" support DAZ Studio versions 2.3, 3 and 4.  Folders marked with simply the title of the product (eg. "01 Songbird Remix" or "03 Woodpeckers")support DAZ Studio versions 4.5+
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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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=== Rendering Issues with iRay ===
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* See the [[Rendering Quirks and Tips]] Section
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= POSER Use =
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== POSER Use ==
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== Square Shadows ==
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=== Rendering issues with Reality or SuperFly ===
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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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* See the [[Rendering Quirks and Tips]] Section
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== Vue, Bryce & Other 3D App Use ==
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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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* There are two solutions:
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** The best solution is to load your bird into DAZ Studio and use the Collada export... but before doing that, go into the Scene tab and select the entire model.  Then select the properties icon ("Display Options for Active Pane") and on that properties menu select EDIT -> GEOMETRY -> CONVERT to SUB D. Now go to Parameters Tab, select Mesh Resolution and turn the Subdivision level to 2 (or higher).  Now, export to Collada.  You will need to adjust the material settings for everything once in Vue.
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** You can also 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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