Adobe Substance 3D Stager - Just a general set of questions
vijayasimhabr
Posts: 204
Hello folks.
I just have a general set of questions/thoughts and wanted to bounce off some ideas before I start paying Adobe so much for this thing. I have always felt Daz 3D is like a 'first' step into the world of photorealism. It's fun playing around with attractive female figures in a variety of clothing and posing them around. However, I am also interested to learn what other 'photorealism' tools are out there which are easy to use, like Daz 3D.
For instance, I liked how easy to use Sketch Up + V Ray to create some super cool photorealistic building and neighborhood scenes. I spent a few days on that, with the trial, and came off very impressed. I also understand, Blender has a lot of 'Arch Viz' plugins and ready to use scenes/assets that can be purchased for some super cool, photo real indoor/outdoor visualizations. I plan to explore them eventually.
Now, I have bumped into Adobe Substance 3D Stager. They have put a nice little video right there on the front page - https://www.adobe.com/in/products/substance3d-stager.html#concept-video
The video reminds of Daz more than anything else. Mix and match models, and arrange them and do some photo realistic renders. What fascinates me is that, Stager has a 'collision' system which means, real physics interaction between models. it also has an asset library. and I am sure, there will be ways to import 3D models from online marketplaces.
Ultimately, I just want to explore photorealism as a hobby, and I want to learn more tools, simply as a hobby. Daz 3D is already doing it. I have already sampled SketchUp and V-Ray, which looks good.
So, would Substance 3D Stager, be a good next step for me?
Note : I am probalby just rambling here. For that I apologize. But, that is where I am. Just, exploring these tools. Further, I have looked at the high tools like Maya, which are beyond my scope and ability and pricing right now. So, I have to stick to relatively easy and cheaper tools like Daz and SketchUp + VRay.
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Comments
My first thought is I did not see any use of rigged models in the intro video. Doesn't mean it isn't possible, just odd that they would not pose and change the pose of an imported character asset if it is possible. Seems like it would be an important promotional point.
I did not see FBX or Collada among the file formats. There are plenty of converters out there, but would you have to change poses externally and import a new file every time you wanted to change?
Don't know. Just asking questions.
@Diomede,
Thank you for replying. My feeling is, Substance 3D Stager is more for 'product' virtual photography. I believe, there are no 'rigged' models or any possibility of any 'people' things. My understanding is, when it comes to people related rendering, I will have to stick to Daz 3D or really upgrade my skills and spend money on Maya/Blender/Cinema 4D and such.
and now that you mention, I think Substance 3D Stager is a 'closed' ecosystem. It may not allow external models to be imported.
So, essentially, I am looking for doing virtual product photography or abstract art (like shapes and figures, I suppose) without having to learning something as advanced as Blender or Maya. I felt, perhaps, Substance 3D might be a good middle ground.
In summary
1. For people related virtual photography photorealistic renders - Daz 3D
2. non people, abstract shapes, product virtual photography photorealistic renders - Substance 3D
Those are my current thoughs. They do have a trial, but I wanted to just ask around before I activate it :)
It looks like an archviz/proof-of-concept type of app aimed at interior decorators and advertisers.
I don't use Substance enough to justify the subscription, but I still have an old standalone version I can use when required... I will forever resent Adobe for removing the standalone license and making Substance a subscription-only service.
@Jabba
Ah! a user of Substance. Hello :)
So, yes, that is sort of what I want to do. ArchViz/Proof of concept kind of deal. Thank you for your comment. I am now leaning towards activating the trial and may be even buy the subscription. But, more than money, time is the real challenge here. I will probably have to wait when I have a free month before activating the subscription trial.
I have read a few posts online about people being miffed about the Adobe purchase. The subscription price is definitely on the higher side. However, I already spend that kind of money on Daz every month, so, I believe I can handle the subscription without hurting my wallet.
Adobe is notorious for subscriptions which many artists don't like.
RE: File formats and rigged figures. The promo page says it supports an array of formats, including.... So, it is hard to say what is included or excluded.
I note the inclusion of glTF, which I believe is a format that does have the ability to use some rigged figures in augmented reality settings. The promo does not include FBX, but does not exclude it either.
Here is the exact wording of the promo.
If you are looking at ArchViz products, you may want to check out Twinmotion.
After briefly watching this video on YouTube apparently it seems like it's a version of Adobe Dimension which it would seem does basically the same thing having never used it myself -
Adobe Dimension is part of the Creative Cloud apps where this application appears to fall under the Substance branding. So. Assume that this is probably the continuation of Adobe Dimension in another form - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Dimension
Introducing Adobe Substance 3D Stager and Dimension update! (this is a really good clue) - https://community.adobe.com/t5/dimension-discussions/introducing-adobe-substance-3d-stager-and-dimension-update/td-p/12133140
I totally agree with that feeling.
Unfortunately, i work as a full time freelancer, and, well, you know, I have been paying for these subscriptions (and passing on the costs to my clients), that, I have stopped caring about it. I mean, that's the future now, right?
Everybody is getting high on subscriptions. But, I understand the emotion, but I don't see a way out. Not anymore.
Ah! That's perfect. I dont expect to righ anything inside that, but, if it is there, that is a good bonus. Thank you so much for the additional clarity.
Yes, I already use UnReal for some of my projects, and I did see something about Twinmotion. Thank you. I will sample this.
This is also what I felt. My theory is, based on my limited knowledge, Adobe had this Dimension thing (which was their own tech), and then, decided to just buy this Substance company and integrated their products into their pipeline.
And, pissing off a ton of substance customers in the process :)
I have been using DAZ for a couple of years now and love the render quality. I recently discovered Substance Stager at a conference and have started to test it out. I was able to import my DAZ avatar into Stager. The body skin maps came in pretty well, but there are issues with hair/eyes. I am researching to see if there are solves, but this might be the issue with the different render options. I am only 1 day into playing with it, so hopefully I can solve some of these issues.
What excited me about substance was the AI lighting capabilities and perspective. This is outside of HRDIs as I sometimes combine a figure with a flat photograph background. The way Stager adjusted the coloring of the 3D object to match the photograph was pretty amazing.