OMG!! Thank you so much, This will be very helpful.

(08/02/2012 08:55 AM)Tetris999 Wrote:  

(07/02/2012 08:28 PM)ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:  Dunno if anyone's interested, but DAZ 3D software is now free:
http://www.daz3d.com/i/3d/free-3d-softwa..._btn=start

Includes DAZ Studio Pro, Bryce 7 Pro and Hexagon 2.5.

I'm pretty interested as to why it's free all of a sudden though...

I'm pretty interested as to why it's free all of a sudden though...

I think I can provide some answers here...

Basically, the way DAZ (the company) used to do business is that they'd give away the program (DAZ Studio 2 at the time I started) for free, hoping that this would entice customers to spend their money on content (character morphs, clothing, scenery, etc) they could use in their programs.

However, with the release of DAZ Studio 3, DAZ decided to give away just the base program and make the 'advanced' version a paid item (and at $150, a fairly expensive one, too....though if you knew which sale to wait for, you could get it for $1.99 :D )

With DAZ Studio 4, they released three versions: a base version (which was free), an "Advanced" version (this time at $230) and a "Pro" version which also has content-creation tools (normally $430).  They also made it clear when they released Studio 4 that the days of giving away their big programs for free were over (true, they were giving away the base version, but it lacked many necessary features....features the Advanced and Pro versions have)

Unfortunately, DAZ's decision to give away three of their top programs for free has unintentionally started a firestorm in the DAZ Forums, as people who purchased Studio 4 Pro for full price just a few months ago are EXTREMELY PISSED because DAZ said they wouldn't do this again....

As to WHY DAZ decided to give their software away this time, I figure it goes back to their old business model: give people the software, and they'll likely buy content to use with it.

(And just for the record, me posting this does not mean that I'm back.....but considering that I've been using DAZ Studio for a few years now, I figured I could answer your questions.  Also, if any of you decide to pick up the free software and need some help, send me a note over at dA.  If I can't help you, I can probably direct you to someone who can.)

(12/02/2012 01:50 AM)ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:  Thanks for the background info.

(interesting that people who've already bought the software got pissed - they obviously were willing to pay the amount they did for it)

Just to clarify things, not everybody who purchased the programs early are pissed.....In the week and a half since this promotion started, the discussion thread for those who aren't happy about it has reached almost 50 pages, and I'm not reading all of that....Of course, the thread for those who are happy about this has reached nearly 60 pages, so most people's reactions to this really depend on whether or not you had the programs already.  As for me, I already had Hexagon 2.5 (came on a CD with a book) and Bryce 7 Pro (which I got pretty cheap thanks to upgrades), but I didn't have Studio 4 Pro yet, so I'm happy with it.  But for those who paid over $400 for Studio 4 Pro which was released ONLY 5 MONTHS AGO, I can see why they're angry....

Also, I don't think it's been mentioned, but this giveaway ONLY LASTS THROUGH FEBRUARY.  So if you're even remotely interested in these programs, better get them now.