EASIEST method to use Daz3D Avatars in CLO3D

Film & Animation

EASIEST Method to Use Daz3D Avatars in CLO3D

Daz3D to CLO3D

Introduction

If you've been looking for a seamless way to integrate custom avatars from Daz 3D into CLO3D for use in your projects, you've found it. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can utilize your customized Daz avatars with the full suite of tools available in CLO3D.

Prerequisites

Software Needed:

  • Daz Central
  • Daz Studio
  • Blender (version 3.3 or the one you are using)
  • CLO3D

Plugins/Add-ons Needed:

  • Daz to Blender Bridge add-on (available for free on the Daz website)

Steps to Transfer Daz3D Custom Avatars to CLO3D

1. Setup Daz3D and Exporting to Blender

  1. Install Necessary Software: Download and install Daz Central and Studio from the Daz 3D website. Also install Blender and the Daz to Blender Bridge add-on.

  2. Setup Daz Studio: Open Daz Studio. Choose or create your custom avatar. Once done, double-click your avatar to select it.

  3. Send to Blender: Navigate to File > Send to Daz to Blender. Ensure the plugin is installed for the version of Blender you're using. Click on Install Plugin if it is not already installed.

  4. Configure Export Settings: Rename your avatar in the export dialog, make sure ‘Skeletal Mesh’ and ‘Export Morphs’ are selected if you've modified any settings of your avatar. Click Accept.

2. Importing to Blender

  1. Open Blender: After confirming installation, open Blender. Navigate to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons and ensure the Daz to Blender add-on is activated.

  2. Import Daz Avatar: Press N to bring up the side toolbar, navigate to Daz to Blender, and click Import New Genesis Figure. This will import your custom avatar with textures and armatures.

3. Export from Blender to OBJ

  1. Prepare for Export: Select your model in Blender. Go to File > Export > Wavefront (.obj).

  2. Locating Textures: Navigate to the Shading tab in Blender. Identify your avatars' texture files. Copy the file path to these textures for later use in CLO3D.

4. Importing into CLO3D

  1. Open CLO3D: In CLO3D, start a new scene.

  2. **Auto-Convert to Avatar:** Navigate to Avatar > Auto Convert to Avatar, select the exported OBJ file, choose ‘Female’ (or appropriate gender), and set conversion to 'Rigging Only'. Click Convert. This process may take a few minutes.

  3. Locating and Using Avatar: After conversion, your custom avatar will be available under the avatars tab. Double-click your converted avatar to load it into the scene.

5. Applying Textures in CLO3D

  1. **Applying Textures:** Select your avatar's body parts in CLO3D and apply textures based on the identified file paths from Blender. Add base colors, normal maps for bumps, and displacement maps for depth.

  2. Eye Textures: Select eye parts specifically and adjust opacity to apply appropriate textures.

6. Save and Render

  1. Saving Avatar: Save the avatar in CLO3D with all texture mappings applied.

  2. Final Render: Customize your avatar’s clothing and animations as needed, then render your final project within CLO3D.

Keywords

  • Daz3D
  • CLO3D
  • Blender
  • Custom Avatar
  • Textures
  • Import/Export
  • Rendering

FAQ

Q1: Why Should I Install the Daz to Blender Bridge? The Daz to Blender Bridge facilitates a smoother transfer of models and textures from Daz3D to Blender, reducing the complexity and possible errors compared to manual export methods.

Q2: How Do I Ensure the Correct Installation of the Daz to Blender Plugin? Navigate to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons in Blender and search for ‘Daz’. Ensure the box next to the add-on is checked to activate it.

Q3: Where Can I Find the Texture Files for the Avatar? Textures are typically located in the default Daz export directory. Confirm the exact location via the node editor in Blender’s Shading tab.

Q4: What Should I Do if the Avatar Textures Don’t Appear In CLO3D? Ensure you correctly copied over texture file paths and placed them in the right sections (base color, bump maps, etc.). Double-check mappings and reload textures if necessary.

Q5: Can I Apply Additional Adjustments to the Avatar After Importing to CLO3D? Yes, once your avatar is imported and converted, you can use CLO3D's full suite of tools to animate, dress, and customize your avatar further.

Feel free to drop any questions or comments you might have below. Happy modeling!