Ok, now that Poser implements a dedicated "Displacement node" for Cycles, it's now possible to have a second skin with visible thickness

Ooh, that's so neat! I'll have to try this.

Once you guys have a method, would you please explain it to us mortals as well? Thank you!

This is a quick setup using an architectural prop created for Firefly.  I added the CyclesSurface and PrincipledBsdf nodes for Superfly rendering.  Notice, the latest version of Poser 13 now includes a Displacement node.  Plug the Displacement map into the Height channel and adjust the scale.  

The images below show Superfly renders without and with displacement.

The only modification I introduced into the shader was creating the Displacement map with increased contrast to darken the crevices and creases. Subdividing the mesh will improve the displacement quality, especially with organic figures or props.  

Lol... HBorre's example made me thin to... Snarly's Snow Machine.
As it's still an old Python 2.7 script (yet...), I've launch that good old Poser 11 (remember? it's a portable program...), dropped some snow on a rock.
Then, I had to find the three essential nodes: SSMTheSnow, SSMBump and SSMDisplacement. The were only moved, no parameters changed, as it's just an experiment.

With an HDRi, it gives this:

Note the new Displacement node's scale: forced to 3 to have some snow on the almost vertical parts.

What do you think?
If there's some interest, I could port the script to Python 3.7

Sure.  That looks great!

Definitely interested if you could port the snow script, sir!

Here you are: a Python 3.7 version of the snow machine. Its version is V3.0.0, and the name of the script differs from the original, to avoid any problem.
The Firefly part remains the same, the script has been adapted to the new environment, plus a few details, For example, it remains floating above Poser.
The advanced tab has one new parameter: the scale for the displacement node

You may download the Python file here:
https://kdrive.digital-paradize.com/app/share/116364/2a6289f5-2a0e-4d28-8531-a9eb36bf6c5d

I am of course opened to any suggestion to enhance it, as it relies on my mid-level knowledge of Poser's materials 
This year, the snow has a weird look, lol...

infinity, this is an excellent LH morph, i might use him if he looked that good.

To change how a paid product 's script works you probably need to contact that vendor ( ie. Flink)?

You don't have a map plugged into the Displacement node.  Also, this is a paid product from a Rendo vendor, so you shouldn't post material room setups without permission.

You don't have a map plugged into the Displacement node.  Also, this is a paid product from a Rendo vendor, so you shouldn't post material room setups without permission.

I cant edit it :( Can a moderator please delete it?

hm... I tried the snow machine script. first one was Displacement 3.0 and 2nd one is Displacement 10.0 (to see differences)

Well... it also made displacement for the whole figure, not just the layer :(

default settings 3.0

setting with 10.0

Maybe I expected too much snow. I made a new render. :D Anyway a very cool tool for landscaping, maybe not that much for figures with superfly :)

Superfly

Firefly

When

When trying to use Snow machine 3 with all materials selected I get the above Error. 

Any thoughts?

philadam posted at 10:25 PM Thu, 12 December 2024 - #4492122

When

When trying to use Snow machine 3 with all materials selected I get the above Error. 

Any thoughts?

Even an empty material, based on PoserSurface, works.
This:

Gives this:

When

When trying to use Snow machine 3 with all materials selected I get the above Error. 

Any thoughts?

Y-Phil posted at 3:50 PM Tue, 10 December 2024 - #4492050

Lol... HBorre's example made me thin to... Snarly's Snow Machine.
As it's still an old Python 2.7 script (yet...), I've launch that good old Poser 11 (remember? it's a portable program...), dropped some snow on a rock.
Then, I had to find the three essential nodes: SSMTheSnow, SSMBump and SSMDisplacement. The were only moved, no parameters changed, as it's just an experiment.

With an HDRi, it gives this:

Note the new Displacement node's scale: forced to 3 to have some snow on the almost vertical parts.

What do you think?
If there's some interest, I could port the script to Python 3.7

Depending on the type snow, even fully vertical surfaces might have it on them. If it's wet enough and windy enough, you may find it covering road signs and sides of trees, cars, houses, etc.

I'm a lowlands California boy, hence not much experience with snow.  WOULD the almost vertical parts have any snow on them?

Alien in meat suit

Alien in meat suit 2

Alien shapeshifter in shapeshifter environment

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney 2

Paul McCartney 3

Paul McCartney 4

Paul McCartney 5

Angela Merkel ? ? ? 

It has already started...

aww... the cute little cat guy is back :) LOL .. La Femme as doll.. very cool :D

Nelly. PP13 latest version using Firefly and good old V4. Leandro Hair. Some mods to the eye shadow and effects.  

To quick ;) wanted to add: Very beautiful render.

Test character for La Femme:

MICROPLASTIC       Render time 1h37min......

Thanks, everyone, for the answers about real life vertical snow.  I am suitably enlightened on the subject now, as I never knew that before.

GiveitUp posted at 9:12 PM Tue, 4 February 2025 - #4493434

MICROPLASTIC       Render time 1h37min......

Chelsea, one of the last characters in my runtimes 

Kaylee, by Erogenesis, one of the Evo girls, with its skin and an additional gloss layer, plus Ysabeau Hair.

Playing with Superfly Shaders. As I learned from Firefly the key is always lights.

Well done.  My only criticism is that the hair has too many specular highlights.  This is a texturing problem, especially if the hairpiece is old.

Playing with Superfly Shaders. As I learned from Firefly the key is always lights.

I'm thinking the same. Anyway: really beautiful picture 

philadam posted at 12:02 AM Wed, 9 April 2025 - #4494819

Playing with Superfly Shaders. As I learned from Firefly the key is always lights.

I'm thinking the same. Anyway: really beautiful picture 

I am slowly working on a series of alien abduction scenarios, this was the 3rd render I kicked out with Poser 13 trial and GPU rendering

Have you adjusted the materials to make them compatible with PBR rendering? Although it looks like a fine scene, some elements appear wrong.

Nope. I pose, setup the shot and add lighting to achieve the mood I want for the image.  Never even heard of PBR rendering. I used to use Reality 4 to export to Luxrender and do phisics based rendering with it and once they discontinued that I stopped posing for a few years. This is one of 3 images I created with the P13 trial just to see if I could still do it.

philadam posted at 12:02 AM Wed, 9 April 2025 - #4494819

Playing with Superfly Shaders. As I learned from Firefly the key is always lights.