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Basics: Initial Rigging with the Transfer Utility (WIP)

This page is a WIP. There are likely to be incomplete and or missing steps while the page is being built.

Summary

Save yourself some time and effort by starting the rigging process using the Transfer Utility. This tool will transfer rigging information, such as bones, weight maps, groups, etc. from a triax rigged figure (i.e. Genesis), to a static object (i.e. clothing, hair, etc) or another rigged figure1). The Transfer Utility is a great tool for content creators to begin the rigging process when it's important to have a model follow a base figure's pose and/or shape.

Process Overview

  • Load Genesis into DAZ Studio 4
  • Import an appropriately scaled static geometry (i.e. clothing, hair) via Wavefront OBJ
  • Convert the imported object into a SubDivision Surface, if needed
  • Use the Transfer Utility to transfer bones, weight maps, groups, morphs, etc.
  • Test your results

Foundation

In order for one figure to follow another, there are some similarities in the bone hierarchy that must exist, such as, bone naming, center and end point positions, joint orientation, and joint axis rotation orders.

Step By Step

Step 1 : Load the Base Figure

Step 2 : Import Your Model

  • Import your static geometry (i.e. clothing, hair) into the scene, using the Wavefront Object (*.obj) format, by choosing File > Import... from the Main Menu Bar.

TIP: Be sure to choose the correct Scale Preset in the OBJ Import Options dialog. The correct scale to use in order to avoid precision errors caused by scaling is DAZ Studio (1 unit = 1 cm) - the same scale used in the Basics: Modeling for Genesis (PUBLIC) overview.

Step 3 : Convert to a SubDivision Surface (optional)

Step 4 : Transfer Rigging Information

  • Launch the Transfer Utility dialog, by choosing Edit > Object > Transfer Utility...
  • Select Genesis as the Source : Scene Item
  • Select your object as the Target : Scene Item
  • Select the type of content it is, from the Projection Template drop-down
  • Click the Accept button.

NOTE: Use of Projection Templates is not a requirement, but they can be quite helpful at times, so it is recommend that you do use them. If you do not see a match for the type of content you are creating, leave this option set to “None.”

NOTE: When sending an object that has SubDivision applied through the Transfer Utility, the tool changes the Resolution Level back to “Base” so it looks like the SubDivision is not applied. To correct this, simply select the item, and in the Parameters (WIP) Pane and change the resolution back to “High Resolution”.

That's it! Your previously static object is now able to follow the intended figure while that figure is being posed and/or morphed. To test, simply apply Pose and Shaping Presets to the target figure and see how your object follows it.

Wrap-Up

The Transfer Utility works very well most of the time. There will, however, be cases where adjustments to the rigging and/or morphs will be needed. We will cover those topics in another article.

We have seen this tool save artists days or weeks of time creating rigging for various items. We hope this will help you save time and provide you with great results in your content creation endeavors.

Next Steps

The next logical step is to save your item in a native format. See the basics_saving_a_figure article for more information on how to accomplish that task.

The videos below are great examples of the Transfer Utility in action. They do not follow the exact steps listed above, but they will give you a great overview of what is possible.

1)
with limitations