OcDS 2.1 PRE RELEASE 5th

[kraken]

Yes, I agree we all owe t_3 a standing ovation. However, if "Elvis has left the building" and is speeding down the freeway, there's really no point in throwing our panties on the stage. I've sent T_3 a PM and asked him to give us an update. Because I'm losing confidence he'll respond, I've also contacted Otoy to see what they have to say about it.

Before anyone gives me the stink eye for angering the gods, keep in mind I paid for this and simply want to know if they are going to continue supporting it or if they plan to let it die on the vine.

I'll let you know what they say.

[Spectralis]

Thanks for trying to get more information. I went through this process before and it did make a difference for awhile but now things seem to have slowed down again.

[Liagriest]

I reached out to Otoy directly a couple weeks ago asking what was up and asking if it was possible for me to switch my DAZ license over to Poser since they have clearly abandoned this DAZ plugin.

They did respond... saying that everything was good and they are not jumping and t_3 was still actively communicating with them on their own internal section of this forum, whatever that means. That is probably bad news if he actively is still here but not responding. I guess thats good he hasn't been fired or decided to work somewhere else, but that likely means that since he is still working, he likely is no longer working on this plugin and they have him working on something else or has hit some sort of critical non-passable roadblock.... I almost wish that the explanation was that he was fired and they were looking to fill his shoes but no.. he is here.. they confirmed it in 2 emails after i doubted them in the first email. So he is reading this... bah. That kinda makes me angry. Of course.. that could also suggest that he is just busy and its almost done and all that Otoy is guilty of is shitty communication with their customers.

Anyways, I asked them ( three times ) to just chime in on the forum or anywhere to let us know that its not dead as we were getting restless and since they have not said a word and it has been 2 weeks I think it is safe to say that it's dead. dead as a doornail. And i have a poser license now.

Its a shame... this had so much potential. In my opinion the plugin was way way easier to use than the standalone Octane and the DAZ implementation ( at least where it left oft ) is visually much better than the poser implementation... but i gotta tell you, the poser one does work and its really nice to have something that actually works.

I hate hate hate that i am on poser now... but im addicted to the Octane renders and nothing really comes close that I have found. I guess thats a complement to OTOY that I am willing to change my whole world just to follow them along for this ride. Technically they are unbeatable, but I think as far as customer service goes they probably are the worst... the very worst, which I am willing to put up with as long as they STAY technically unbeatable

And I also emailed DAZ to let them know that i was on poser since they sent me that little 3D figure to post about and why i couldn't and i gotta tell you they were so awesome about the whole thing.

[kraken]

T_3 Did respond. in short doesn't want to "show his hand".

Okay. Got it.

[leblancd]

I reached out to Otoy directly a couple weeks ago asking what was up and asking if it was possible for me to switch my DAZ license over to Poser since they have clearly abandoned this DAZ plugin.

Anyways, I asked them ( three times ) to just chime in on the forum or anywhere to let us know that its not dead as we were getting restless and since they have not said a word and it has been 2 weeks I think it is safe to say that it's dead. dead as a doornail. And i have a poser license now.

Its a shame... this had so much potential. In my opinion the plugin was way way easier to use than the standalone Octane and the DAZ implementation ( at least where it left oft ) is visually much better than the poser implementation... but i gotta tell you, the poser one does work and its really nice to have something that actually works.

And I also emailed DAZ to let them know that i was on poser since they sent me that little 3D figure to post about and why i couldn't and i gotta tell you they were so awesome about the whole thing.

Liagriest, would you be so kind to tell us what you went through, to get to the point you're at right now, with switching licenses and whatnot? Any details would be very helpful.

I've been seriously considering switching also, but I'm not sure what is involved. Also, I would imagine that if enough of us switched from Daz to Poser, it may raise some flags in Otoy's view possibly enough for them to effect some useful change.

[Spectralis]

T_3 Did respond. in short doesn't want to "show his hand".

Okay. Got it.

Ok, thanks for the feedback. Not sure what t_3's reply means? Even if we ever get a final release what will the support be like in future if there's little or no communication for months during the "beta"? I already have a Carrara license but my main app is DS in which I've invested heavily so changing to Poser is unlikely for me.

[kibbycabbit]

I hope I haven't stirred that from the beginning. So far I'm using the plugin daily to prepare a film short. I'm preparing the lighting setup, shaders, textures then animation.

Been good to me so far beside the animation capability.

I've tested ABCS export with animation. I'm not too sure if that workflow should become my workflow. I would prefer to do direct from DS with plugin to the render passes or final.

What's your workflow?

[DrHemulen]

I That is probably bad news if he actively is still here but not responding. I guess thats good he hasn't been fired or decided to work somewhere else, but that likely means that since he is still working, he likely is no longer working on this plugin and they have him working on something else or has hit some sort of critical non-passable roadblock.

I don't think so. We've seen this cycle a couple of times. Release of an update, then a flurry of forum activity for a month or so after which he fades away to his coding cave and isn't heard from in months. Then it starts over again.

It's annoying as hell, but no communication from him doesn't have to mean he's not working on OcDS.

[kraken]

T_3 Says he's got a year invested into it and is not giving up, just not showing his hand. I assume he is wrangling for more money. What happens if he doesn't get it? The way I feel about it I paid for this plug-in in good faith only to be handed the feature limited 1.2v with suggestion of 2.x version. If I'm to pay again for 2.x before I can try it and then find out it will be another rodeo ride of bugs, glitches and wonky workflow for months down the road, then I would have to say he's not showing his hand but instead his finger. My only recourse is to not show my wallet.

I can't really ask for a refund because I can make this plug-in work if push comes to shove (lately more shoving than I'd like), however I'm encumbered by the mystery convoluted workflow and side stepping of pitfalls. Octane SA works great. I wish I could use it more. After reviewing my other choices of modeling software and sitting in on those plugin forums, it appears they all have short-comings. Unless you mortgage your home, collect an inheritance, or win the lottery I don't see a professional solution on the horizon that is turn-key broadcast quality for less than $10k. Not to mention there really isn't anything that is fully integrated as Daz when it comes to rigged human models (that I'm aware of).

I wish I had something more constructive to contribute, or an alternative to Daz GPU rendering that's affordable. I guess it comes down to "you get what you pay for" (and sometime less).

Would someone please PM me whenever T_3 releases the next version, or if Otoy will offer plug-in swap credits.
Thanks and Good Luck.

- Radio Silence -

[Liagriest]

T_3 Says he's got a year invested into it and is not giving up, just not showing his hand. I assume he is wrangling for more money.

o i must have missed that completely. so T_3 has the plugin ready but he is negotiating his salary with Otoy before he hands it over? is that what is going on or am I reading that wrong?