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Virtual World Dynamics F.A.Q (Last Updated: 2024 Apr 09 3:54 pm)




Subject: VWD V2.x pre-release beta discussion


VWD_dan ( ) posted Tue, 25 June 2019 at 12:30 AM · edited Mon, 22 April 2024 at 5:27 AM

Hi all,

Many of you have received notes indicating that a time-limited V2.x pre-release update is now available to all VWD owners. The official Renderosity note with instructions is pending approval but should be sent out shortly.

We are hoping that this solution helps mitigate the DS 4.11 update issues, and allows the curious/advanced users to take the V2 features out for a spin.

Let's use this thread to consolidate the issues, instructions, and tip-sharing related to all of the V2.x pre-release versions.

The current V2.x version is time limited through 2019/11/1, which will be about 4 months from now, and a full month after our target formal V2 release here at Renderosity. It is fully functional. The current V2.x beta version is 2.1.858.6150.

Stay tuned to this thread (and share here) for updates relating to DS 4.11, Carrara, and Poser activities with this and any forth-coming Beta updates.

be well, and more to come!

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


headwax. ( ) posted Tue, 25 June 2019 at 3:09 AM

thanks Dan, looking forward to seeing what comes up!


Zokreb ( ) posted Tue, 25 June 2019 at 12:05 PM · edited Tue, 25 June 2019 at 12:06 PM

Hi Dan & Gérald, Thanks for the heads-up.

Many of you have received notes indicating that a time-limited V2.x pre-release update is now available to all VWD owners. The official Renderosity note with instructions is pending approval but should be sent out shortly.

Just to be sure I understood properly, for those of us who did not received any note, we will be sent an automated message from Renderosity later on, with instructions to download the beta ? Or has this message been sent already ?

I'm very curious to see the new features.

Thanks again.


VWD_dan ( ) posted Tue, 25 June 2019 at 12:57 PM

Hi there Zokreb,

Sorry for the confusion, and there is a bit of justifiable confusion... Most users have bought VWD here at Renderosity, while in special cases, some bought it directly from Gérald. We have to connect with both groups, so our messages may seem a bit 'mixed' because they ... are.

We can communicate directly with the direct buyers (in fact, we have to :), but we're using the official Renderosity bulk-mail mechanism for our Renderosity purchasers. Because of the potential for bulk-mail abuse, Renderosity justifiably reviews the bulk messages before forwarding them. We have submitted our message and expect it to be forwarded shortly (they indicate a 24/48 hour review window).

So yes, most of you (Renderosity purchasers) should receive an official message from VirtualWorldDynamics shortly with news and instructions.

The essence of the message is to PM or email us at support@virtualworlddynamics.net if you are interested in trying this new full-featured but time-limited VWD v2.x beta, which is being pre-released in its early stage to help offset the problems we're running into due to the recent DS 4.11 update crash issue. It does not make sense to release this temporary fix in the Renderosity content libraries because it won't be meaningful in the long term, and many users (Poser/Carrara/etc.) may not be interested, given the the current V1 version is still working fine for non DS 4.11 users.

This lets DS 4.11 users keep moving forward (you can't easily roll-back DS upgrades, so 4.11 users are kind of stuck) and this allows everyone else to play with (and help test...) the new features that we expect to release here at Renderosity at the end of September. V2.x beta is a super-set of V1.x and the familiar V1.x functions should operate as expected, keeping everyone moving forward as we try to find a long-term fix for the V1.x and philemot's V1->DS-Bridge combination.

Bottom line: if you are a Renderosity VWD owner, you should be getting an email message shortly indicating that you should contact us if you wish to try out this new V2 version. That said, you can do so right now if you like, but not everybody follows these forums, so the pending email will ensure that everyone has the latest information.

I hope this helps!

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Tue, 25 June 2019 at 10:38 PM

Yo, yo fellow VWD peeps. So far things are good and installed-- a couple of questions tho'.

  1. How do I affix the vertices to the hair using the hair assistants? Even when I seem to have vertices selected (all lit up red) it says there are no vertices selected.

  2. I have used the softness iterations which seems coo, l but then ...

  3. the hair flies off her head during the drape and/or disappears altogether even if she is not moving all that erratically...do'h!

Any fixes out there my friends???


tomyee ( ) posted Wed, 26 June 2019 at 12:27 PM

I realize there's not going to be any help files or documentation, but is it possible to be given a short summary of what are the new features to look forward to in 2.x so that people can decide if they want to spend the time to test it out?


VWD_dan ( ) posted Wed, 26 June 2019 at 1:47 PM

Good request, especially since the original V1 and V2 won't co-exist in DS. (However, It should be possible to have multiple versions available to Poser and Carrara users).

Gérald is already creating an 'inventory' of all the updates for our September release purposes (for testing/docs etc.), but given the 'emergency' nature of this DS 4.11 update issue, it obviously takes on a new importance on our development ToDo list.

We'll post a feature list ASAP.

Thanks for your interest! VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


Zokreb ( ) posted Wed, 26 June 2019 at 1:54 PM

Thanks for the clarifications @VWD_dan. I'll send you a PM.


VirtualWorldDynamics ( ) posted Wed, 26 June 2019 at 3:12 PM

@Sepiasiren: You need to record the vertices selection. When you press on Simulate, no vertices are selected. Can you tell me the hair you want to simulate.

@tomyee: As Dan said, the final V2 version will be created for the beginning of October. This beta version is a solution to resolve the issue between VWD and the DS 4.11 version. With Dan, we will try to add all the helps we will create in the future beta versions. I think it will also be necessary to create a lot of tutorials because many functions will be easier to understand using this method.

____________________________________________

Follow me on Twitter : @VWDynamics

Watch demo videos on Youtube


Leonides02 ( ) posted Wed, 26 June 2019 at 6:31 PM

Thanks so much for the update, Dan & Gérald! You guys are a fantastic team and great vendors. You always keep us in mind. :)


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Thu, 27 June 2019 at 1:26 AM · edited Thu, 27 June 2019 at 1:36 AM

VirtualWorldDynamics posted at 1:23AM Thu, 27 June 2019 - #4354893

@Sepiasiren: You need to record the vertices selection. When you press on Simulate, no vertices are selected. Can you tell me the hair you want to simulate.

How do you record the vertices--when I click hair and check assistants it takes me straight to the assistants page so I can't attach them like I do when I just click HAIR without assistants... I tied a couple of OOT and swam hairs which usually work...:-)


Writers_Block ( ) posted Thu, 27 June 2019 at 4:55 AM · edited Thu, 27 June 2019 at 4:57 AM

Just been trying out the beta; love it; works really well, and I find it much more stable than V1, which would occasionally cause issues and crash Studio; not happened so far in 4.11. It should be noted that Studio occasionally crashes for other reasons than VWD. :) Edit: incidentally, I was using it to simulate hair. I'd done the dress in Studio, as it was all one mesh even though not specifically for VWD.


VirtualWorldDynamics ( ) posted Thu, 27 June 2019 at 9:14 AM

Thank you Leonides02!

@Sepiasiren: I really need to do a tutorial for the hair assistant. I will do it as soon as possible.

@Writers_Block: I am happy the program works fine to you. There are a lot od new functionnalities which are not explained. I will do a simple list but the documentation and the tutorials will be the only way to understand all of them.

____________________________________________

Follow me on Twitter : @VWDynamics

Watch demo videos on Youtube


kwan ( ) posted Fri, 28 June 2019 at 4:09 PM

Gérald, I just noticed this thread, and I was wondering how I go about attaining VWD V2.x pre-release beta as a VWD owner. Do I need to send you an email or do you still have my email address? Thanks again for continually improving VWD.

Thank You Kwan


VWD_dan ( ) posted Mon, 01 July 2019 at 4:37 PM · edited Mon, 01 July 2019 at 4:38 PM

kwan posted at 4:25PM Mon, 01 July 2019 - #4355246

Gérald, I just noticed this thread, and I was wondering how I go about attaining VWD V2.x pre-release beta as a VWD owner. Do I need to send you an email or do you still have my email address? Thanks again for continually improving VWD.

Thank You Kwan

Hi kwan, and others,

Please send us an email message at 'support@virtualworlddynamics.net' or PM either of us (@VWD_dan or @VirtualWorldDynamics) here and well make this fix available to you ASAP.

We submitted a request to broadcast our V2 beta/fix offer to all of our Renderosity V1 customers, but because it is not a traditional freebie, nor is it a formal V1 update, it is not a sanctioned use of the Renderosity customer broadcast system. This is fine, and we have been advised to use the forums (here) to pursue the distribution of this fix. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

kwan, I will track down your email address and get back to you directly, thanks.

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Wed, 03 July 2019 at 4:57 AM

Hey, another thing I noticed is that I can save a drape but if I close and open DAZ again not only are the textures now gone but so is the animation and I have to drape all over again... this happens on both my render boxes...


Ashfire45 ( ) posted Fri, 05 July 2019 at 5:30 AM · edited Fri, 05 July 2019 at 5:37 AM

I've only used it once, but that was the most beautiful hair simulation I've ever experienced with VWD! This assistant is a GOD-SEND! The hair kept its shape perfectly, the simulation was as fast as silk, the wind was so realistic... Thank you thank you thank you for the assistant feature!!! If I have as much luck as I did with a simple bob hair, then this is the most program to ever be designed. I cannot get over how well it simulated the hair!

EDIT: With that said, the simulation is gorgeous... But it's not exporting to Daz Studio for some reason. When I click 'Send pose to Host', nothing happens.


Leonides02 ( ) posted Sat, 06 July 2019 at 4:34 PM

Hey all! I think I've noticed a bug. VWD doesn't seem to be deleting previous animations. When I start a new scene, it still keeps / uses the old animations if my figures have the same name.

"Delete All Exchange Files" seems to have no effect.

To get around this, I've been manually deleting the files in the exchange folder.

Thanks!


VWD_dan ( ) posted Sat, 06 July 2019 at 5:46 PM

Sepiasiren posted at 3:30PM Sat, 06 July 2019 - #4355903

Hey, another thing I noticed is that I can save a drape but if I close and open DAZ again not only are the textures now gone but so is the animation and I have to drape all over again... this happens on both my render boxes...

Hi sepiasiren,

There are two related issues here. Somewhere in these forums are some tips on the fix, and Gerald did a youtube video on this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2ZeEgWwa8A), but let me get you going by describing the 'big idea' and see if this helps you and others.

Quick answer for both of these issues (it's pretty simple):

To restore materials to the VWD_xxxx items in your scene

  • open DAZ Studio (fresh start to be ''clean')
  • load your scene
  • start VWD
  • select the VWD_xxxx items in VWD's 'Scene Import' tab
  • select each item and use the 'Utilities->Restore DAZ Materials' button.

You should now be able to exit VWD and your scene VWD_xxxx items should preserve their materials until your next scene reload. You'll have to do this again for all of the VWD_xxxx items each scene reload unless you manually copy/apply these materials from the original item(s) in the DAZ Studio scene and save that scene.

To re-load the simulation animations back into DAZ Studio after a scene reload:

  • start VWD (if not still open)
  • load all of your simulated VWD_xxxx items into VWD as 'Collision items' w defaults (Don't simulate!)
  • go to the 'Simulation' tab and float your mouse over the 'Start dynamic Simulation' button, and press your 'Ctrl' key. The button text should change to .
  • press the 'Send Animation to Host' button...

VWD should send the simulation animations to DAZ Studio and close/disappear. You should be back where you want to be in DAZ Studio for previewing with the animation timeline, continued simulations, and/or rendering.

All of these steps can be done in a single DS/VWD session but are separated here for clarity.

Hope this helps,

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


VWD_dan ( ) posted Sat, 06 July 2019 at 5:53 PM · edited Sat, 06 July 2019 at 5:54 PM

Ashfire45 posted at 5:47PM Sat, 06 July 2019 - #4356081

I've only used it once, but that was the most beautiful hair simulation I've ever experienced with VWD! This assistant is a GOD-SEND! The hair kept its shape perfectly, the simulation was as fast as silk, the wind was so realistic... Thank you thank you thank you for the assistant feature!!! If I have as much luck as I did with a simple bob hair, then this is the most program to ever be designed. I cannot get over how well it simulated the hair!

EDIT: With that said, the simulation is gorgeous... But it's not exporting to Daz Studio for some reason. When I click 'Send pose to Host', nothing happens.

Hi Ashfire45,

That's great that you're liking (loving) the results!, and it would probably be even more exciting if you could 'send them to host...'

I would guess that your 'Start Dynamic Simulation' button hasn't changed to 'Send Animation To Host', or you hadn't noticed the button's change?

That's the button you need to press if you are animating: "Simulate->Send animation to host". If it's not 'there', try floating your mouse over the 'Start dynamic simulation' button and press your 'Ctrl' key (a couple of times?) and see if the button text/function changes to 'Send animation to host'. If so, press that and you should be back on your way.

Hope this helps,

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


VWD_dan ( ) posted Sat, 06 July 2019 at 6:01 PM

Leonides02 posted at 5:55PM Sat, 06 July 2019 - #4356245

Hey all! I think I've noticed a bug. VWD doesn't seem to be deleting previous animations. When I start a new scene, it still keeps / uses the old animations if my figures have the same name.

"Delete All Exchange Files" seems to have no effect.

To get around this, I've been manually deleting the files in the exchange folder.

Thanks!

Hi Leonides02,

We'll have to look into this. I'm curious: where do you have your VWD executables installed? We recommend "C:VWD" (even though I hate putting stuff like this on the root of my drives...) because I think we have some path quoting issues if the VWD stuff is located elsewhere and the issue pops up like this sometimes. My current theory is paths with spaces or 'special characters' can cause this issue, so C:VWD doesn't suffer this issue.

Please let us know, and thanks for the hint. I'm glad you know how to fix the issue for yourself and keep going.

Thanks,

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


Leonides02 ( ) posted Sun, 07 July 2019 at 5:29 AM

VWD_dan posted at 5:27AM Sun, 07 July 2019 - #4356251

Leonides02 posted at 5:55PM Sat, 06 July 2019 - #4356245

Hey all! I think I've noticed a bug. VWD doesn't seem to be deleting previous animations. When I start a new scene, it still keeps / uses the old animations if my figures have the same name.

"Delete All Exchange Files" seems to have no effect.

To get around this, I've been manually deleting the files in the exchange folder.

Thanks!

Hi Leonides02,

We'll have to look into this. I'm curious: where do you have your VWD executables installed? We recommend "C:VWD" (even though I hate putting stuff like this on the root of my drives...) because I think we have some path quoting issues if the VWD stuff is located elsewhere and the issue pops up like this sometimes. My current theory is paths with spaces or 'special characters' can cause this issue, so C:VWD doesn't suffer this issue.

Please let us know, and thanks for the hint. I'm glad you know how to fix the issue for yourself and keep going.

Thanks,

VWD_dan

Hi Dan. Thanks for looking into this

I have my executables in D:VWD, because that's where I store all my Daz stuff.

Best, Leo


VirtualWorldDynamics ( ) posted Sun, 07 July 2019 at 6:09 PM

@Ashfire45: I am happy you like the results for the hair. I will do some tests about the "Send pose to Host". For me this function works after a static or a dynamic animation. Could you tell me what kind of simulation you have made?

@Leonides02: This function is not a bug. You have certainly noticed that the simulation is faster when the animation is recorded for the collision actor(s). When you need to do several tests, this functionality is very useful. Ditto when you want to simulate a hair after one or severals cloth simulations. In fact, the animation is kept if it has been done on a character with the same name, with same number of vertices and for an animation with the same length. Otherwise, the old animation is deleted. If you want to do a simulation with a collision actor with the same name, the same number of vertices for an animation with the same length, you need to check the "New animation" checkbox when you import the character. Tell me if my explanation is clear enough.

____________________________________________

Follow me on Twitter : @VWDynamics

Watch demo videos on Youtube


Leonides02 ( ) posted Mon, 08 July 2019 at 11:18 AM · edited Mon, 08 July 2019 at 11:18 AM

Thanks! I figured that might be the case. However, clicking on “New Animation” didn’t change the imported animation.


VirtualWorldDynamics ( ) posted Mon, 08 July 2019 at 3:11 PM

Hello, Leonides02, I will do a test and I will reply quickly. I made a lot of modifications in the program and perhaps I've made a mistake on this function.

____________________________________________

Follow me on Twitter : @VWDynamics

Watch demo videos on Youtube


VirtualWorldDynamics ( ) posted Tue, 09 July 2019 at 3:42 PM

@Ashfire45: I made some tests and the "Send pose to Host" button seems to work properly. Can you tell me in what condition you had this issue?

@Leonides02: I also made some tests and you are right the "New animation" checkbox does not work properly. I suppose you have a messahe telling you the current actor is not a collision actor. I will do this correction as soon as possible. Currently, if you want to apply the same animation on another character or if you want to use another animation with the same number of frames, you can add one frame on the animation. The program will find a difference of size of the cache file and the old animation will not be used. It is not perfect but this allows to resolve the problem by waiting the new release of the beta. Sorry for that!

____________________________________________

Follow me on Twitter : @VWDynamics

Watch demo videos on Youtube


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Sat, 13 July 2019 at 4:39 AM

Ashfire45 posted at 4:38AM Sat, 13 July 2019 - #4356081

I've only used it once, but that was the most beautiful hair simulation I've ever experienced with VWD! This assistant is a GOD-SEND! The hair kept its shape perfectly, the simulation was as fast as silk, the wind was so realistic... Thank you thank you thank you for the assistant feature!!! If I have as much luck as I did with a simple bob hair, then this is the most program to ever be designed. I cannot get over how well it simulated the hair!

EDIT: With that said, the simulation is gorgeous... But it's not exporting to Daz Studio for some reason. When I click 'Send pose to Host', nothing happens.

OooOooOoo can I hit you up via email for how to set it up--I am having a hard time figuring out how to use the assistant.


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Sat, 13 July 2019 at 4:41 AM

VirtualWorldDynamics posted at 4:40AM Sat, 13 July 2019 - #4356607

@Ashfire45: I made some tests and the "Send pose to Host" button seems to work properly. Can you tell me in what condition you had this issue?

@Leonides02: I also made some tests and you are right the "New animation" checkbox does not work properly. I suppose you have a messahe telling you the current actor is not a collision actor. I will do this correction as soon as possible. Currently, if you want to apply the same animation on another character or if you want to use another animation with the same number of frames, you can add one frame on the animation. The program will find a difference of size of the cache file and the old animation will not be used. It is not perfect but this allows to resolve the problem by waiting the new release of the beta. Sorry for that!

No matter the bugs VWD is fantastic--love it so grateful for all your hard work. My only real remaining bug is that when I close the scene and reopen it the textures and animations are gone. Do I have to save the DUF in a special folder?


VirtualWorldDynamics ( ) posted Mon, 15 July 2019 at 4:13 PM

You necessarily have a lot of questions. The V2 version will need a lot of tutorials. We just need a little bit of time, sorry!!

____________________________________________

Follow me on Twitter : @VWDynamics

Watch demo videos on Youtube


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Mon, 15 July 2019 at 4:49 PM

VirtualWorldDynamics posted at 4:49PM Mon, 15 July 2019 - #4357088

You necessarily have a lot of questions. The V2 version will need a lot of tutorials. We just need a little bit of time, sorry!!

No, we get it you guys are doing your best! can't wait for the tuts--thank you so much!


VWD_dan ( ) posted Tue, 16 July 2019 at 6:14 PM

Hi Sepiasiren,

Thanks for your patience and support - we're getting a lot done behind the scenes, but it's never as much as we'd like!

I got hints from your notes that you figured out how to re-apply the textures and animations, right?

I wrote up a note on this technique up above on the steps, and want to make sure you see it. I feels like it could be complex, but it's pretty easy after the first time. I believe we should be able to fix the texture issue, but there is no practical way to 'attach' the animations, and the hacks that we've seen are ... hacks. Following the above steps isn't too "expensive" and allows us to use VWD with DS, which is pretty cool!

A quick note: If you are apt to be a clean-freak and use the VWD 'Utilites->Remove Exchange Files' to recover disk space, you will remove your animation files and have to redo your simulations! Unless you are really shy on space, I'd avoid that command (although it is a handy command if you need it!).

Similarly, if you change the DS animation frame-count (add or remove DS timeline frames) in your DS scene, you will need to redo the simulation(s) too, since the simulation animation cache files are expecting the same frame count as the DS scene, and won't match if you change the DS timeline frame-count.

Let us know how it goes!

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Sun, 21 July 2019 at 4:44 AM

VWD_dan posted at 4:41AM Sun, 21 July 2019 - #4357183

Hi Sepiasiren,

Thanks for your patience and support - we're getting a lot done behind the scenes, but it's never as much as we'd like!

I got hints from your notes that you figured out how to re-apply the textures and animations, right?

I wrote up a note on this technique up above on the steps, and want to make sure you see it. I feels like it could be complex, but it's pretty easy after the first time. I believe we should be able to fix the texture issue, but there is no practical way to 'attach' the animations, and the hacks that we've seen are ... hacks. Following the above steps isn't too "expensive" and allows us to use VWD with DS, which is pretty cool!

A quick note: If you are apt to be a clean-freak and use the VWD 'Utilites->Remove Exchange Files' to recover disk space, you will remove your animation files and have to redo your simulations! Unless you are really shy on space, I'd avoid that command (although it is a handy command if you need it!).

Similarly, if you change the DS animation frame-count (add or remove DS timeline frames) in your DS scene, you will need to redo the simulation(s) too, since the simulation animation cache files are expecting the same frame count as the DS scene, and won't match if you change the DS timeline frame-count.

Let us know how it goes!

VWD_dan

Great tip! All I need to know now is how to select vertices for hair assistant. Once I choose Hair Assistant it doesn't take me to the normal place to apply vertices and even when I try to select in the Hair Assitant interface, it doesn't recognize the vertices as It keeps asking me to select vertices when I see red vertices already applied.


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Sun, 21 July 2019 at 7:18 AM

Hey, I took a snapshot of my hair assistant issue--keeps saying I did not tie the vertices to the head--problems is when I click hair assistant it goes straight to the assistant interface--I have no way to tie them to the head...!

Tie to head error.png Tie to head error2Vetices.png


VWD_dan ( ) posted Mon, 22 July 2019 at 3:15 PM · edited Mon, 22 July 2019 at 3:20 PM

Hi sepiasiren,

I ran through a quick Gn1 and EndOfSummer Hair scenario to reproduce your screen/issue, and two things occur to me:

  • your screen doesn't have the 'Verticies Selection' tab in VWD, and it seems that tab needs to be open/enabled for the 'Add selection' button circled in my screen shot to work.

  • second, having all of your hair selected is probably going to make things pretty stiff

Under all of this, it may not be clear that to attach the hair, you need to do the selections (you have lots of read vertices, so I think you're doing that fine...), and you actually need to 'Add selection' - which looks more like an option than a requirement in the interface... Again, that 'Add selection' doesn't seem to work if the 'Vertices Selection' tab isn't open - even if you aren't actively using those selection tools. Not sure where your tab is in your screenshot. hmmm.

So, here's what you can try:

  • see if you can get the 'Vertices Selection' tab to show up... if not, we'll need more research on your environment.

  • Right when you go into the hair assistant, make your hair-type selections as you have already on in your screen shot, but try press the '+', and '-' buttons in the 'Vertices tied to the head' section next to the 'Search' so you get a selection that looks something like my screenshot, where the red attachment selections are mostly near the scalp.

  • Then... please press the first 'Add selection' that's below those buttons (just below "Extend with soft Selection") and see if that 'takes' (the selection goes away once applied).

If this 'takes', maybe you'll be back on your way.

(if you are feeling adventurous, try the 'use', 'Search', and 'reset' buttons to fine-tune your selection experiments.)

Let us know how it goes and we'll go from there.

VWD_dan

Tie_to_Head.jpg


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


VWD_dan ( ) posted Mon, 22 July 2019 at 3:28 PM

Quick note:

I just got a message from a user who had asked for an update/beta copy last week. I had created an account and sent a message, but they weren't received from my system, it seems. Frustrating for both of us.

If anyone else is running into this (Ragice?) and has requested a working V2.x beta (for curiosity and/or the DS4.11 issue) and NOT received a reply, please please please let us know. Either @ support@virtualworlddynamics.net or PM us here with a working email address that we can use to create a VWD file-repo account for you.

FWIW, almost all of the requests that we've received have been handled within a day of the request, so if you haven't gotten a response, it was probably lost in the ether too! Please try again!

cheers,

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


VirtualWorldDynamics ( ) posted Mon, 22 July 2019 at 6:27 PM

Excuse me to reply so late.

I just want to give a precision concerning this issue.

The hair assitant works easily if the hair has a "cap" or a "base" and other names corresponding the a cap. Some hair have no cap and the vertices selection for the attachment on the head is really a problem.

The strand based hair have the same issue.

The current method to attach vertices to the head of the character when the hair has no cap is :

  • Import the character.
  • Import the hair without the assistant. This selection must be without any rigidification to accelerate the importation.
  • Use the old method to select the vertices on the hair (select the vertices on the head of the character and transfer this selection to the hair).
  • Copy the current selection to the first memory by pressing the M+ button. Eventually press before on the "MC" button to clear the first memory.
  • Close VWD.
  • ReOpen VWD.
  • Import the character.
  • Import the hair with the assistant.
  • Apply the settings for the behaviours of the hair.
  • Copy the recorded vertices selection on the hair by pressing the Ctrl + MR button. When you press on Ctrl, the "MR" button changes its caption which becomes "Fic". The selection is visible on the hair.
  • Apply the selection to record the vertices which will be used for the hair attachment.
  • You can press to "Simulate" to start the simulation.

This method is not comfortable but it has the advantage to work fine. I will modify the program to simplify this method to make this selection more friendly.

I hope my explanations are clear enough.

    Gérald

____________________________________________

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Sepiasiren ( ) posted Mon, 22 July 2019 at 7:21 PM

VWD_dan posted at 7:17PM Mon, 22 July 2019 - #4357740

Hi sepiasiren,

I ran through a quick Gn1 and EndOfSummer Hair scenario to reproduce your screen/issue, and two things occur to me:

  • your screen doesn't have the 'Verticies Selection' tab in VWD, and it seems that tab needs to be open/enabled for the 'Add selection' button circled in my screen shot to work.

  • second, having all of your hair selected is probably going to make things pretty stiff

Under all of this, it may not be clear that to attach the hair, you need to do the selections (you have lots of read vertices, so I think you're doing that fine...), and you actually need to 'Add selection' - which looks more like an option than a requirement in the interface... Again, that 'Add selection' doesn't seem to work if the 'Vertices Selection' tab isn't open - even if you aren't actively using those selection tools. Not sure where your tab is in your screenshot. hmmm.

So, here's what you can try:

  • see if you can get the 'Vertices Selection' tab to show up... if not, we'll need more research on your environment.

  • Right when you go into the hair assistant, make your hair-type selections as you have already on in your screen shot, but try press the '+', and '-' buttons in the 'Vertices tied to the head' section next to the 'Search' so you get a selection that looks something like my screenshot, where the red attachment selections are mostly near the scalp.

  • Then... please press the first 'Add selection' that's below those buttons (just below "Extend with soft Selection") and see if that 'takes' (the selection goes away once applied).

If this 'takes', maybe you'll be back on your way.

(if you are feeling adventurous, try the 'use', 'Search', and 'reset' buttons to fine-tune your selection experiments.)

Let us know how it goes and we'll go from there.

VWD_dan

Tie_to_Head.jpg

Hey--I selected all the vertices because it was all I could do for now--it won't allow me to hand-select or lasso any real vertices because I don't have a vertices tab for some reason. I am not sure how to put the tab on there. The VWD interface is like that on both my render boxes.

Amendment--I have the vertices button but only if i click HAIR--when I click HAIR ASSISTANT it disappears and I can not tie the vertices to the head.

Weird.


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Mon, 22 July 2019 at 7:35 PM

WHOA I think I finally got it to work...whoooo!


Sepiasiren ( ) posted Mon, 22 July 2019 at 7:36 PM

VirtualWorldDynamics posted at 7:36PM Mon, 22 July 2019 - #4357759

Excuse me to reply so late.

I just want to give a precision concerning this issue.

The hair assitant works easily if the hair has a "cap" or a "base" and other names corresponding the a cap. Some hair have no cap and the vertices selection for the attachment on the head is really a problem.

The strand based hair have the same issue.

The current method to attach vertices to the head of the character when the hair has no cap is :

  • Import the character.
  • Import the hair without the assistant. This selection must be without any rigidification to accelerate the importation.
  • Use the old method to select the vertices on the hair (select the vertices on the head of the character and transfer this selection to the hair).
  • Copy the current selection to the first memory by pressing the M+ button. Eventually press before on the "MC" button to clear the first memory.
  • Close VWD.
  • ReOpen VWD.
  • Import the character.
  • Import the hair with the assistant.
  • Apply the settings for the behaviours of the hair.
  • Copy the recorded vertices selection on the hair by pressing the Ctrl + MR button. When you press on Ctrl, the "MR" button changes its caption which becomes "Fic". The selection is visible on the hair.
  • Apply the selection to record the vertices which will be used for the hair attachment.
  • You can press to "Simulate" to start the simulation.

This method is not comfortable but it has the advantage to work fine. I will modify the program to simplify this method to make this selection more friendly.

I hope my explanations are clear enough.

    Gérald

Oh VERY COOl thanks for this!!!!!!!! YAYA! I think I got it now...


VWD_dan ( ) posted Tue, 23 July 2019 at 8:43 PM

Sepiasiren posted at 8:17PM Tue, 23 July 2019 - #4357763

Hey--I selected all the vertices because it was all I could do for now--it won't allow me to hand-select or lasso any real vertices because I don't have a vertices tab for some reason. I am not sure how to put the tab on there. The VWD interface is like that on both my render boxes.

Amendment--I have the vertices button but only if i click HAIR--when I click HAIR ASSISTANT it disappears and I can not tie the vertices to the head.

Weird.

hmm - I need to look into that... Maybe if the so-called 'cap' is found when using the assistant, it behaves one way, and if not, the selection tools appear?

Anyway, you've got me curious about something I need to understand...

cheers,

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


ebergerly ( ) posted Sun, 04 August 2019 at 8:55 AM

All, I'm using 64 bit Studio 4.11.0.383, and downloaded the latest beta. Made a new folder (D:VWD) and followed the steps to install. Put VWDExchange.dll in C:Program Files...plugins), and disabled the VWDSupport.dll (ie, added ".OFF" to the filename). In Studio I reset the path, then started VWD, and got an error "error occurred while reading the file". The log says

"Error in script execution: C:/Users/Public/Documents/My DAZ 3D Library/Scripts/VWD/Cloth and Hair (beta V2.1.858.6150)/Start VWD.dsa" and "ReferenceError: Can't find variable: VWDPluginExchangeLib"

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks


VWD_dan ( ) posted Sun, 04 August 2019 at 4:06 PM

Hi @ebergerly!

It sounds like you did the right things during install. That error feels like a plugin issue.

Do me a favor, and look at your new DAZ-Studio 4.11 'menu->help->about installed plugins...' and near the bottom of that list, do you see the little green plug near a 'VWDBridge support plugin' entry? If so, when you click on that do you see version information (1.4.0.114)? If not, then perhaps you've still got a conflict with the other DLL, or maybe the wrong DLL (64 vs 32 bit) is copied into the plugins directory. The only other thing I can think of is when we run multiple DS's on the same system, sometimes the version we're running isn't the one we think, etc. I wouldn't presume here, but it might be worth a check.

I think you are really close, and I hope you get it running soon.

Let us know how it goes.

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


ebergerly ( ) posted Sun, 04 August 2019 at 4:21 PM

Thanks. The only VWD-related entry I see is "VWD Exchange", and that is shown as selected, but "failed to load" with a red plug. I don't see a VWDBridge support plugin entry.

I'll try to re-copy the 64 bit plugin into the plugins directory.


VWD_dan ( ) posted Sun, 04 August 2019 at 4:30 PM

ebergerly posted at 4:28PM Sun, 04 August 2019 - #4358708

Thanks. The only VWD-related entry I see is "VWD Exchange", and that is shown as selected, but "failed to load" with a red plug. I don't see a VWDBridge support plugin entry.

I'll try to re-copy the 64 bit plugin into the plugins directory.

Wait - perhaps that rename to 'OFF' step isn't workng as I expected! try and move that old DLL out of the plugins directory entirely for a quick test - just move it to your desktop for a minute while you test it. I have a theory.

let me know if that helps... VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


VWD_dan ( ) posted Sun, 04 August 2019 at 4:38 PM · edited Sun, 04 August 2019 at 4:40 PM

VWD_dan posted at 4:31PM Sun, 04 August 2019 - #4358709

ebergerly posted at 4:28PM Sun, 04 August 2019 - #4358708

Thanks. The only VWD-related entry I see is "VWD Exchange", and that is shown as selected, but "failed to load" with a red plug. I don't see a VWDBridge support plugin entry.

I'll try to re-copy the 64 bit plugin into the plugins directory.

Wait - perhaps that rename to 'OFF' step isn't workng as I expected! try and move that old DLL out of the plugins directory entirely for a quick test - just move it to your desktop for a minute while you test it. I have a theory.

let me know if that helps... VWD_dan

I'm thinking that I always show my file suffixes in windows-explorer, and when I wrote up the installation instructions, because I can see those suffixes, I can also edit or add-them too. Not everyone does this, so that renaming won't work the same way.

IF you don't show those suffixes, you won't be 'fixing' the file-type to not be a DLL, so it will still load, and still conflict!

If this is the case, you either need to change the real file suffix to something else like '.OFF' any way you know how (e.g. a command line, etc.) or you can simply move the plugin elsewhere, out of the 'plugins' directory.

I recommend making a 'plugins.OFF' directory/folder at the same level as the 'plugins' folder, and moving any disabled plugins there, if you take this path. Making a subdirectory called 'OFF in the 'plugins' directory (e.g. .../plugins/OFF) and putting disabled things in there didn't work for me. Those still loaded...)

I'll update my installation docs with this new information. (nothing is simple, is it? :)

Maybe this is the issue, and you can get moving again!

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


ebergerly ( ) posted Sun, 04 August 2019 at 4:39 PM

Thanks, but I already moved it during initial installation. I tried to update my reply to show that but I guess Rendo has a time limit for editing


VWD_dan ( ) posted Sun, 04 August 2019 at 4:47 PM

I ran into the edit issue too. urg. all those good ideas - gone...

So, here's the bottom line:

Be sure that:

  • there's a 64 bit VWDExchange.dll file in the current DAZ Studio 64 bit plugins directory ( .../DAZStudio4/plugins/VWDExchange.dll )
  • there's no VWDSupport.dll file in that same plugins directory

All of these 'helpful' machinations i've been writing are designed to make this clear, and I think they're only making things muddy.

That 'about installed plugins...' status is the only way to know if it's working well enough to expect the rest of the system to work...

closer? VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


ebergerly ( ) posted Sun, 04 August 2019 at 5:07 PM

Apologies...

I re-copied the 64 bit dll into the plugins folder, verified VWDSupport.dll doesn't exist in that folder, and VOILA it now works.

I could have sworn I copied the 64 bit version, but maybe I did a stupid and copied the 32bit? Anyway, It seems to be all set now. Thanks again.


VWD_dan ( ) posted Sun, 04 August 2019 at 5:15 PM

ebergerly posted at 5:11PM Sun, 04 August 2019 - #4358715

Apologies...

I re-copied the 64 bit dll into the plugins folder, verified VWDSupport.dll doesn't exist in that folder, and VOILA it now works.

I could have sworn I copied the 64 bit version, but maybe I did a stupid and copied the 32bit? Anyway, It seems to be all set now. Thanks again.

oh, no apology needed! bravo for getting it all working, and maybe our notes will help others.

I hope your session goes well. I am working on updated docs as we type, and there's a lot of new (and kind of hidden) stuff in V2. The stuff you're used to should be the same, so I hope you can get some good work done.

Let us know how it all goes, and thanks for beating through this. I have many notes on the installation process that I have to update - thanks to your questions.

cheers,

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


GiraffeStudios ( ) posted Sat, 10 August 2019 at 7:48 AM

Hi everyone! VWD is working great, I am getting used to the assistant for both hair and clothing and it works great.

The only problem I have found so far is with the scale and softness parameter. No matter the value I input when trying to scale the springs (I have tried from 10 to 99) the mesh just explodes and goes flying around or just gets reduced A LOT.


VWD_dan ( ) posted Sat, 10 August 2019 at 12:51 PM · edited Sat, 10 August 2019 at 12:52 PM

Hi Ragice,

Thanks for the progress update and information about your problem.

I've had mixed responses to those settings (I assume its an 'operator issue' - me), but never explosions. I will be sure Gérald is aware of this ASAP.

Can you let us know what outfit/figure you are using? If we can reproduce this exactly, it's always very useful. Any settings/steps (even if not super detailed) are helpful too - static/dynamic sim, etc.

Thanks for the note, and I'm glad you're making progress with the new version.

cheers,

VWD_dan


VWD website: https://www.virtualworlddynamics.net  -  VWD support: support@virtualworlddynamics.net

Current VWD Versions:   Release: V1.1.522.3630 – 2017/05/18 11:52,    Beta: V2.2.908.6404 beta – 2019/11/24 9:34 (exp 2019/12/28)

Qualifier: Yes, I'm helping Gérald with VWD, No, I'm not yet an expert on its use!


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