A bit worried about DAZ octane plugin development schedule

[linvanchene]

edited and removed by user

[Spectralis]

Thanks linvanchene for starting the thread in the 'General Discussions' forum. I didn't think of trying that first before sending the email. However, the thread has received one response, I'm not sure if it's from a representative of OTOY, that makes me want to weep. I just feel so upset that despite all the patience and understanding we've shown the developer and by extension, OTOY, over the many months we deserve just a generic response. Am I misunderstanding it or does it sound like a brush off?

P.S. I've just bought the Carrara plugin because apparently Carrara 8.5 can import .duf files and because I spent 4 hours this morning trying to troubleshoot various problems with the DS plugin viewport. I use Octane Render on projects every working day and I just can't afford to spend hours every week troubleshooting recurring problems. The current project I'm working on has taken a lot longer than it should have due to all the troubleshooting. When the DS plugin works correctly it produces great results but increasingly I'm coming up against problems as I've learnt more about how to use the plugin. Which is ironic really because I've learnt so much from you and others here recently but this has highlighted the limitations of the current version of the plugin.

[spider58]

To be quite honest, I have given up on this plugin altogether. Upgraded to Octane 2 and have been trying to learn it. I really miss being able to move things in the scene (especially lights) while rendering. I am a bit upset that I paid for something that, in the whole time I used it, it never worked properly a program crash was always just a mouse click away.

[Spectralis]

Considering I've been very vocal about my complaints on this forum lately I feel I owe it to all of you and OTOY to let you know that the OctaneRender team replied to the email I sent them this morning and have assured me that they are taking this matter seriously and will update us all soon about the current plugin development situation. This may take a couple of weeks so I think it's only fair that I let the matter rest now until they've had time to work out how to proceed.

[Tugpsx]

Development of the plug-in continues. Something will be released when it is ready and not before then.

[Spectralis]

Development of the plug-in continues. Something will be released when it is ready and not before then.

What about support then? Will we get any of that when you're good and ready too? You really aren't building any bridges are you, whoever you represent?

[SiliconAya]

Development of the plug-in continues. Something will be released when it is ready and not before then.

To be blunt, comments like this are useless. If it's not from the developer or otoy and isn't detailed information about development progress and timelines (that will be kept to) it's totally meaningless, proves nothing and helps no one.

We are currently sitting at about 6 months without even a bug fix release for a very buggy bit of software.
About 2 months without an update of any kind and that last update was vague promises, hand waving and excuses. So we can go back at least 4-5 month since the last useful info update.

So far I've paid many hundreds of euros (about $500-$600 for me) for one pathetic half backed beta update in the last 18 months.

Compare to when I bought Zbrush in 2007 for about the same amount, which has gone from version 3.1 to 4r6 without paying anything more, unlike with Octane and this plugin.

[garand3d]

Development of the plug-in continues. Something will be released when it is ready and not before then.

Well, that’s reassuring… would be helpful to know WHEN it will be ready (if EVER!). And perhaps if you could kindly elaborate on that statement; was that just an assumption or an official statement from t_3 or OTOY?

Also the issue here isn’t just whether development is still ongoing or not, but the unprofessional treatment the developer is giving his customers concerning the plugin development as well – e.g. no announcement or bugfixes of any kind for months on end.

Apparently Spectralis has kindly gone ahead and brought this matter to OTOY’s attention and they have promised some kind of resolution, I hope they make good on their promise. Otherwise, I think it’s high time we all went to OTOY and officially complain about the situation, just like some of you suggested in your earlier posts.

[AlfaseeD]

Development of the plug-in continues. Something will be released when it is ready and not before then.

I'm sorry, but this is not the best way to act.
"Something will be released when it is ready" sounds like a joke.

It's a lot more polite say :
"I'm sorry guys, there are some problems with the development of the plugin and I will keep you posted as soon I have some news"

[Tugpsx]

I understand that tensions are running high here and there are a few upset users of the plug-in. This is understandable and anything said or promised will further cause more debate. The previous statement was not meant to outrage or anger anyone. As it is the Studio version of Octane offers several features not found in any other version, or at least was implemented in the Studio version before others.

These features were and still are considered important and I'm sure if a 2.xxx version was released without them, we would be having a whole other discussion.

We have no intent to deceive anyone as some have accused or air unnecessary laundry. While testing continues on the Plugin an update will be made to the exporter to allow for use with 2.xx as well as Mac. The Mac exporter works just fine there are a few things to tweak once the tester gives the ok.

We don't have a release date yet so please be patient.