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Monster Mash render contest concept

Monster Mash render contest concept published on No Comments on Monster Mash render contest concept

Here we go!

"On Halloween, while humans dress up as demons, the demons themselves take off from scare duty. They trade their gloomy and ghastly rags for the brightest, most modern duds they can find and kick up their heels, celebrating that one night of the year during which the humans have assumed the monsters’ usual task of freaking people out. [Nobody ever claimed that demons could coordinate their separates, however.]"

Actual picture contains a bunch of demons people circled around a woman. Some audience members are clapping, some talking, some getting their groove on. There are also people playing bodhrans and panpipes. The woman at the center is dancing with eyes closed, an expression of joyful abandon on her face. Everyone wears casual, everyday clothes — T-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, jeans — but nobody’s clothes match. [This is a job for Loud Fabrics 01, 02 and 03 shaders! ^_^ ]

Base figure is going to be G2F. Paid items are going to be GenX2 [how I get my morphs all onto a single base figure] and V4 for G2F [so I can use Gen4 skins on G2F].

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1687303.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Monster Mash contest on the Daz boards

Monster Mash contest on the Daz boards published on No Comments on Monster Mash contest on the Daz boards

October’s freebie contest has "Monster Mash" as a theme, meaning that one has to render a scene with at least 10 freebies and no more than 3 paid items of monsters + music. I’m thinking that I might enter this. I’d love to do a bunch of stereotypical demons [satyrs with bat wings] drumming in the woods for one who’s dancing. Go therianthropes!

There are definitely enough free items with which I could constitute most of this scene. I know of plenty of free horns, tails and even hooves, as well as wings [!], that I could use for the demons. Forest elements are also freely available, including backdrops, trees, logs, stumps, etc. I’d love to get a fire too for her to dance in front of…

I have a whole month to work on this. Hmmm…

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1687161.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

If Transparent is “the fall’s only great new show…”

If Transparent is “the fall’s only great new show…” published on No Comments on If Transparent is “the fall’s only great new show…”

…why the hell does it have Jeffrey Tambor playing Maura, the main character, instead of, you know, an actual trans woman? >:( Go AWAY, Jeffrey Tambor.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1687022.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Better make a hat — quick!

Better make a hat — quick! published on No Comments on Better make a hat — quick!

I posted a Prop Challenge over at Figurvore for people to make wearable accessories sometime during the month of September. Then I forgot about it and became distracted, so now it’s the last day of September, and I myself have created no wearable accessories. Quick — make a top hat!! 

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1686716.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Thalia has been ordered!

Thalia has been ordered! published on No Comments on Thalia has been ordered!

Well, Thalia’s head, at any rate. That set me back $230.00, thanks to the free shipping event.

Now to acquire some supplies: rubbery plastic neon snakes for her hair and a squishy "stress ball" for her ball gag. 

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1686278.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Hilarious cat-headed owl model

Hilarious cat-headed owl model published on No Comments on Hilarious cat-headed owl model

This Meowl figure by Sixus1 cracks me up. Like ryverthorn’s Snuffles, this is a fantasy creature that I have no use or plans for, but which will probably make my way into my runtime because it’s so damn cute.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1686214.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

On a long, dramatic gowns kick…

On a long, dramatic gowns kick… published on No Comments on On a long, dramatic gowns kick…

It started with Chris Cox’ freebie Rococo Gown for V4, but really kicked into high gear when I got Neftis’ Lady de Lioncourt Dress for G2F, which is Rococo + Goth. I spent the first few months of my possession admiring the detailed mesh and classy textures, but also pissing and moaning that the dress did not sit well — i.e., it contained no morphs or other provisions for seated postures and the ways in which they deform and re-drape cloth.

I could not resist two more relatively new releases, despite their collective inability to sit realistically: MEC4D’s Queen of Hearts for G2F and Penny Dreadfull for G2F by MartinJFrost. Even if my characters could only stand around in Queen of Hearts, the elaborate hairstyle could be used with other clothing. And heck — even though the creator of Penny Dreadfull himself said that he had tried all sorts of ways to make the dress sit, but had been unsuccessful, it was one of the most realistic bustle dresses I’d ever seen. I tried to resist it, but I could not.

Eventually my annoyance hit a breaking point. What was the use of all these nifty outfits if I couldn’t pose them in positions that my characters use at least a third of the time? My exasperation thus motivated me to force the gowns to sit myself. Using D-Formers in Daz, I made a morph first for Lady de Lioncourt that tucked it up around the figure’s ass and calves, as it would if being sat on. I achieved something passable and cheered myself on.

Since then, I have been unstoppable!! I made sit morphs for the Rococo Gown, Queen of Hearts and Lady de Lioncourt [try #2, using what I had learned from previous attempts]. My proficiency with D-Formers increased dramatically to the point where I created and released an entire package of morphs for Penny Dreadfull, including morphs to make it sit, to compress parts of the skirt and even to lengthen the whole skirt with a minimum of texture distortion. I’m now packaging up another set of helper morphs for Ravenhair’s Priestess for Genesis because someone liked the work I did on other dresses and requested that I do something similar on a Genesis outfit. I’m also converting the Rococo Gown to Genesis for her.

The compliments and request from a fellow user really make me feel like a digital artist. I’m glad that someone appreciates my work and that I can help others achieve their artistic ends. I’m also glad that I’ve found areas of specialty — such as shaders and sit morphs — at which I can demonstrate rapid improvement and that other people like too. I’ve spent so long feeling socially and artistically lonely that public approbation means a lot to me and my confidence.

 

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1686003.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

More supplies purchased for Xandy’s merry-go-round

More supplies purchased for Xandy’s merry-go-round published on No Comments on More supplies purchased for Xandy’s merry-go-round

I got some white skull pony beads for the finials and some cheap toy horses for the ride-ons. I was going to purchase war gaming miniature horse skeletons of white metal, but those were like $10.00 a piece before shipping, and this is not supposed to be an expensive project. I’ll just hack up the mini horses, throw red paint on them and call them zombies. :p

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1685750.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

3D freebies: Sit Morph and More for MartinJFrost’s Penny Dreadfull Outfit

3D freebies: Sit Morph and More for MartinJFrost’s Penny Dreadfull Outfit published on No Comments on 3D freebies: Sit Morph and More for MartinJFrost’s Penny Dreadfull Outfit

Extra Morphs for MartinJFrost’s Penny Dreadfull Outfit for G2F

Daz Studio only

Tested only in Daz Studio Pro 4.6 64 bit.

Continue reading 3D freebies: Sit Morph and More for MartinJFrost’s Penny Dreadfull Outfit

Cute Cookie! Raggedy Cookie BJD by the Trinket Box

Cute Cookie! Raggedy Cookie BJD by the Trinket Box published on No Comments on Cute Cookie! Raggedy Cookie BJD by the Trinket Box

Kim Arnold, who sculpted and did the outfit for my fullset Trinket Box Cookie, tends to do fullsets reminiscent of Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies, but she made an adorable deviation with Raggedy Cookie. Inspired by Raggedy Ann, this Cookie has a wig of fabric strips [kind of like yarn] and a similar skirt. Her faceup simulates stitching [down the center of her face, for example], as well as the red-apple cheeks that form part of Raggedy Ann’s signature look. The large eyes and wide mouth of the sculpt work very well with this style.

After seeing this iteration of Cookie, my ideas about a simulacrum BJD have come up again. The marionette concept wandered off into rag doll territory, as I think this Cookie, plus Aimerai Doll’s Scraps, look really cool simulating fabric. I like Raggedy Cookie because her whole faceup gives the impression of fabric, while Scraps just looks like your standard human character with large squares of fabric decorating her face for some reason. I do, however, like the fact that Scraps’ patches and stitches are sculpted onto her face, giving them more realism.

So clearly what I need here is some sort of rag doll marionette that has jumped its strings. I could probably best achieve this in 1:6 scale, since I have several BJDs in that size in my parts bin. Body would possibly have different pieces dyed different colors. Outfit would be partly fused with body in the form of thin fabric glued directly to the resin with either sculpted stitches made of Aves Apoxie Sculpt or glued-on stitches made of yarn. The other part of the outfit could be Ellery’s patchwork skirt!!! Hair would be yarn.

Loose stringing. Eye hooks [ouch!] screwed into top of head, back of hands and tops of feet.

Head would require some modding. Eyes would be closed and smoothed over with Aves Apoxie Sculpt, then replaced by buttons. Eyebrows would be painted to look like stitches. Mouth would be the most realistic, painted to look like a Glasgow smile, with more sculpted or glued-on stitches where it extended past the lips. Red circles for cheeks.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1685024.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

It’s that easy to make eyes?!

It’s that easy to make eyes?! published on No Comments on It’s that easy to make eyes?!

Helene has a Tumblr post up on making eyeballs with polymer clay and clear gloss. Irises can either be painted onto the eyes or printed on computer paper and then glued. I have so much polymer clay, so much paint and so much gloss that I can try this tutorial with supplies I already have. I even have a dedicated toaster for polymer clay projects. [I got it when I thought I was going to sculpt heads.] Why should I buy eyes again?! 😀

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1684865.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Songs of the self-deluded stalker, part seventy billion and three: Separate Ways [Worlds Apart]

Songs of the self-deluded stalker, part seventy billion and three: Separate Ways [Worlds Apart] published on No Comments on Songs of the self-deluded stalker, part seventy billion and three: Separate Ways [Worlds Apart]

Journey’s song "Separate Ways [Worlds Apart]" came on one of Janna’s Pandora stations a few days ago. A few lines caught in my head ["If he ever hurts you / True love won’t desert you"], but I didn’t know the source. So I banged out the words into a search engine and came up with the full set of lyrics, which I will now summarize as follows:

I’m so obsessed with you that I’ve been monitoring your activities since our breakup. "You’ll never walk alone" — literally. I’ll be watching through my binoculars — you and your current partner. If he ever hurts you, I’ll be right there to comfort you…also to lay the hurt on him for mistreating you. In summary, I am a dangerous, deeply deluded misogynist who is very likely to kill you and your partner once I’m done wailing about how much I love you.

I would really like to believe that, like Sting’s Every Breath You Take, Separate Ways is actually supposed to be a disturbing evocation of obsessive, abusive behavior, but I can find no evidence.

Gaaaaaaaaack.


This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1684464.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, after lunch: a little bit more of everything

Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, after lunch: a little bit more of everything published on No Comments on Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, after lunch: a little bit more of everything

After lunch on the 20th, I began at the1:3 scale ramen restaurant set, apparently a smaller version of an actual Toronto, Ontario eatery. Supplied by Doll North, a Canadian doll convention, the ramen shop had legible menus, bowls of ramen and minibar liquor bottles for booze. Sadly, none of my pictures with Timonium in this set came out, but some other doll lovers let me photo their dolls in the restaurant.

Continue reading Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, after lunch: a little bit more of everything

Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, before lunch II: raffle dolls, dealers and robots

Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, before lunch II: raffle dolls, dealers and robots published on No Comments on Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, before lunch II: raffle dolls, dealers and robots

For my next photography session in the dealer room, I took pictures of some items donated for the charity raffle, proceeds of which benefitted the Humane Society of the United States. The raffle doll I most wanted to see, a fullset Loongsoul Gong Gong God of Water with an impressively long sea serpent tail, hid out safely in his box, so I consoled myself with shots of other interesting options.

Continue reading Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, before lunch II: raffle dolls, dealers and robots

I need more doll shows in my life.

I need more doll shows in my life. published on No Comments on I need more doll shows in my life.

I really want to attend more doll shows, particularly ones where all types of dolls, including BJDs, action figures and art dolls, are welcome. I have learned my lesson, however, and will NEVER AGAIN drive 7 hours one way to attend any event, no matter how cool it is. 

At Dollism, I learned about Doll North, a subconvention occurring annually at Anime North — a huge Canadian convention for lovers of anime, manga, cosplay, et hoc genus omne — in Toronto, Ontario. Doll North includes BJDs [resin and plastic], Obitsus, Pullips, Momokos, Blythes, Monster Highs and the like.  This event occurs over a weekend toward the end of May, so any saving would have to start occurring NOW.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1683576.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Tonsil Hockey Deux: the concept

Tonsil Hockey Deux: the concept published on No Comments on Tonsil Hockey Deux: the concept

If I’m going to get an IOS Infernale head, which I am, then I need to stop calling her Tonsil Hockey Deux and start calling her by an actual name. So it’s official: Tonsil Hockey Deux will hereafter be known as Thalia Hesperus Donaldson. No particular reason why — it just sounded good. Thalia’s name’s origin as that of the Greek muse of comedy is irrelevant.

Thalia needs some significant modification. First and foremost, that nose needs some serious reduction. It, of course, solidifies the sculpt’s beautiful adherence to the conventional stylization of male anime characters, but it’s way too much nose for my tastes. Here’s my proposed deletion:
Continue reading Tonsil Hockey Deux: the concept

Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, before lunch I: dealers and dioramas

Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, before lunch I: dealers and dioramas published on No Comments on Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, before lunch I: dealers and dioramas

Saturday, our only full day at the convention, I hit the registration booth shortly after 9:30 AM [and the opening of the dealer room for the day]. Who should I meet there but fellow Vermont Doll Lovers member Lyrajean [not pictured], who handed me my badge and swag bag?

Continue reading Dollism Plus, 09/20/2014, before lunch I: dealers and dioramas

Dollism Plus, Buffalo, NY, 09/19/2014: photos from room sales

Dollism Plus, Buffalo, NY, 09/19/2014: photos from room sales published on No Comments on Dollism Plus, Buffalo, NY, 09/19/2014: photos from room sales

Janna and I, with Araminthe and Timonium in tow, drove to Buffalo, NY, this past weekend for the BJD convention I’ve been anticipating for months: Dollism. With no expensive BJD projects in the offing, I attended the convention with very little spending money and the goal of taking as many photos as possible.

We arrived at the Hyatt Regency on Friday evening, exhausted, after a desperately tedious drive across the entire Empire State. We missed all the workshops and dealer booths for that day. However, room sales — individual attendees and dealers selling things out of their hotel rooms — were going on, so I grabbed my camera, my business cards and Timonium, then ventured forth to acquire photos. I always asked before snapping away, and everyone graciously consented to have photos of their dolls taken.

Continue reading Dollism Plus, Buffalo, NY, 09/19/2014: photos from room sales

Xandy’s merry-go-round makeover

Xandy’s merry-go-round makeover published on No Comments on Xandy’s merry-go-round makeover

Xandy’s cheap piece of crap merry-go-round music box arrived in the mail today. I got exactly what I paid for, which was a toy made out of wood, glue, [probably lead-based] paint and a music box that sounded like someone torturing a piano sounding board with a cocktail fork.

Continue reading Xandy’s merry-go-round makeover

Yup… Tonsil Hockey Deux is on preorder.

Yup… Tonsil Hockey Deux is on preorder. published on No Comments on Yup… Tonsil Hockey Deux is on preorder.

There are two preorders for THD this fall: the one currently running [August 29th through September 30th] and one toward the end of the year [November 15th through December 15th]. The one going on now offers free shipping, which makes the cost of a head $230.00 instead of $256.00. Quick — to the credit card!

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1682354.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

TONSIL HOCKEY DEUX IN STOCK?!

TONSIL HOCKEY DEUX IN STOCK?! published on No Comments on TONSIL HOCKEY DEUX IN STOCK?!

I’m at Dollism now [about which more later], but I just hit IOS’ Web site now, and Tonsil Hockey Deux’s head is in stock [or on preorder]?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!? Well, there’s an incentive not to spend any money here….

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1681932.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

3D freebies: Sit morph for Mec4D’s Queen of Hearts Gown for G2F

3D freebies: Sit morph for Mec4D’s Queen of Hearts Gown for G2F published on No Comments on 3D freebies: Sit morph for Mec4D’s Queen of Hearts Gown for G2F

Sitting Morph for MEC4D’s Queen of Hearts Gown for G2F

Daz Studio only

Tested only in Daz Studio Pro 4.6 64 bit.

After a hard day of yelling, "Off with her head!" and playing croquet with flamingoes, the Queen of Hearts needs to take a load off. I have crafted a sitting morph for MEC4D’s Queen of Hearts Gown for G2F so that the Queen can rest her royal feet.

After installation, you will find a leg pose for G2F in My Library > People > Genesis 2 Female > Clothing > Mec4D > Queen_of_Hearts. The morph SkirtForSitting can be found under Parameters > Morphs.

To use the sitting morph, apply !G2FPoseForSitting.duf to G2F, which will adjust the position of her legs only. You can then apply the SkirtForSitting Morph at 100%.

Please note: the sitting morph, which I created entirely in Daz Studio with D-Forms, is strictly an amateur effort and not professional grade at all. However, at least the morph gets the dress in the right position, and [say it with me] you can always fix it in post! ^_^

Use for whatever purposes you like, commercial or non-commercial. Just don’t repackage and call your own. Have fun!

You can see my digital artwork, as well as my other creative pursuits, at my blog:

http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org

If you do use any of my freebies in your work, drop me a line [ModernWizard at the Daz boards and ShareCG, ModernWiz on Renderosity], as I’d love to see what you make. Thank you.

Continue reading 3D freebies: Sit morph for Mec4D’s Queen of Hearts Gown for G2F

DOLLISM IS IN LESS THAN A WEEK!

DOLLISM IS IN LESS THAN A WEEK! published on No Comments on DOLLISM IS IN LESS THAN A WEEK!

We’ll be traveling Friday and Sunday, so Saturday is the only full day we’ll have at the convention. Schedule of all Saturday’s events is as follows:

Saturday September 20th:
 
Vendor Room Set-Up (Grand Ballroom): 8:00am – 9:30am
Contest Drop Off (Niagara Room): 8:00am – 9:00am
Registration (Niagara Room): 8:00am – 4:00pm
Vendor Room Open (Grand Ballroom): 9:30am – 5:00pm
Photography Display (Grand Ballroom): 9:30am – 5:00pm
Contest Entry Voting (Grand Ballroom): 9:30am – 5:00pm
Charity Raffle (Grand Ballroom): 9:30am – 5:00pm
Treasuremint Hunt at Booth #30 (Grand Ballroom): 9:30am – 5:00pm
Body Maintenance Workshop (Regency Ballroom A): 10:00am – 11:00am
Photography Workshop (Regency Ballroom B): 10:30am – 11:30am
Face-Up Workshop (Regency Ballroom A) 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Face-Up Demonstration -Viewing Only (Regency Ballroom B): 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Photography Display with DollHeart Models (Grand Ballroom): 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Doll Design on a Budget Panel (Regency Ballroom B): 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Fantasy Costume Design Workshop (Regency Ballroom A): 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Name that Sculpt! (Presented by Doll North, Regency Ballroom B ): 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Swap Meet (Regency Ballroom A): 5:00pm – 6:30pm
*What a Busy Day! Time to rest and have some Dinner!* 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Room Sales: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Dessert Buffet (Atrium Bar & Bistro): 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Charity Raffle Drawing (During Buffet): 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Contest Winner Announcements (During Buffet): 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Room Sales: 10:00pm – ? Whenever!

I’ve bolded the events I would like to attend. I really wish I could go to the Soom panel, but that’s the last thing on Sunday, at which time I hope to be well on my way home. I’m really not keen on any other panels or demos, but I am looking forward to hitting the dealer tables and photo backdrops and taking lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of photos…and entering the charity raffle.

I’ve decided that Timonium and Araminthe are coming with me.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1681426.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Two old women in love

Two old women in love published on No Comments on Two old women in love

So, as people have no doubt heard, the Quad City Times recently reported that Vivian Boyack and Nonie Dubes married recently after 72 years together. The gay rights mainstream’s obsession with marriage equality is problematic, as is the whole concept of romantic love. That being said, I appreciate [hah!] the photo of Boyack and Dubes holding hands in front of the officiant for several reasons.

For one, the photo represents aspects of queer culture that popular media likes to gloss over: a) women who are b) old, c) [visibly] disabled and d) at least somewhat invested in the butch/femme roles. Look! Two women in wheelchairs who are happy! ^_^

For another, the photo shows just how deeply Boyack and Dubes care for each other. Boyack reaches over to Dubes with a sort of protective air, while Dubes keeps Boyack’s hand firmly within hers. They look calmly at the officiant; though this is a significant day for them, they also know that this is also a mere legality that does nothing to change their steadfast devotion to each other. That sort of mutual happiness always makes me want to cry. Sniff sniff.

Continue reading Two old women in love

Selected therianthropic denizens of the mini universe

Selected therianthropic denizens of the mini universe published on No Comments on Selected therianthropic denizens of the mini universe

There are a bunch of therianthropic people who live in the mini universe, but I haven’t named and given personalities to all of them. Here are a few, however:
Continue reading Selected therianthropic denizens of the mini universe

Glory Days Festival, White River Jct., VT, 09/13/2014

Glory Days Festival, White River Jct., VT, 09/13/2014 published on No Comments on Glory Days Festival, White River Jct., VT, 09/13/2014

Yesterday Janna and I hauled ass across the state in the rain to attend the Glory Days Festival in White River Junction. Every year, this celebration of trains, both full-size and model, features excursion rides, toy layouts, Amtrak historical exhibits, live music, food and general entertainment.

We arrived much later than expected, about 2 hours before closing, but we did see a supremely nifty miniature steam engine in 1.5" scale [1.5 inches to 1 foot]. The operator sat on top of it, feeding wood pellets into the hopper. It also had a short straightaway of track on which the operator took people for rides. I wondered what my 1:6 scale dolls would look like standing next to it. Pictures below.
Continue reading Glory Days Festival, White River Jct., VT, 09/13/2014

3D freebies: Chris Cox’s Rococo Dress updated for G2F

3D freebies: Chris Cox’s Rococo Dress updated for G2F published on No Comments on 3D freebies: Chris Cox’s Rococo Dress updated for G2F

Rococo Dress for Genesis 2 Female

Daz Studio only

Tested only in Daz Studio Pro 4.6 64 bit.

Chris Cox’s beautiful Rococo Dress, originally created for Victoria 2, Aiko 3, Victoria 3 and Victoria 4, is now available for Genesis 2 Female! With Chris’ permission, I have converted and updated the V4 version to fit G2F. The pink texture from the V3 version accompanies the update.

After installation, you will find the Rococo Dress in My Library > People > Genesis 2 Female > Clothing > RococoDressChrisCox.

I also added something extra. All the morphs that Chris originally put in the V4 version are there, plus one that I created: SkirtForSitting. As the name implies, you can use this morph to position the skirt of the dress so that G2F can sit down while wearing it.

To use the sitting morph, apply !DressPoseForSitting.duf to the dress. Then apply !G2FPoseForSitting.duf to G2F, which will adjust the position of her legs only. You can then apply the SkirtForSitting Morph, which can be found under Morphs.

Please note: the sitting morph, which I created entirely in Daz Studio with D-Forms, is strictly an amateur effort and not professional grade at all. As you can see, the morph causes the hem to ripple, especially in the back center, and collide with the floor a bit. Applying a smoothing modifier and/or converting to SubD does make the result look slightly better. However, at least the morph gets the dress in the right position, and [say it with me] you can always fix it in post! ^_^

To download the original Rococo Dress and related files, please see these links, which go directly to Chris Cox’s Web site:

V4 version: http://www.dragonspace.com/3d/files/RococoDressV4.zip

Pink texture: http://www.dragonspace.com/3d/files/RococoPink.zip

Templates: http://www.dragonspace.com/3d/files/RococoDressTemplates.zip

V3 hair [a nifty pompadour with pearls, feathers and sausage curls!]: http://www.dragonspace.com/3d/files/RococoHair1-V3.zip

V3 shoe props: http://www.dragonspace.com/3d/files/RococoShoes1-V3.zip

If these links do not work for some reason, the Wayback Machine’s page here has links that do:

https://web.archive.org/web/20090402123752/http://forum.daz3d.com/viewtopic.php?t=106182

A list of other textures for the dress can be found here:

https://poserdazfreebies.orain.org/wiki/Rococo_outfit

Thank you to the following people who helped out with this freebie:

–Chris Cox, first and foremost, for permitting this update
–SickleYield, whose G2F Dress Rig improved the conversion over Autofits and added skirt handles
–Rob Kelk, who gave me links to the original Rococo Dress files

Use for whatever purposes you like, commercial or non-commercial. Just don’t repackage and call your own. Have fun!

You can see my digital artwork, as well as my other creative pursuits, at my blog:

http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org

If you do use any of my freebies in your work, drop me a line [ModernWizard at the Daz boards and ShareCG, ModernWiz on Renderosity], as I’d love to see what you make. Thank you.
Continue reading 3D freebies: Chris Cox’s Rococo Dress updated for G2F

The tiniest Microsister WILL be mine!

The tiniest Microsister WILL be mine! published on No Comments on The tiniest Microsister WILL be mine!

I just realized that the mini-mini fig of Fyana, which I’ve been lusting after since 2009, is actual a Takara Microsister. And I’ve found places with her in stock, so I can get her! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 

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Takara Microsisters are even smaller and MORE articulated than Takara Microladies!

Takara Microsisters are even smaller and MORE articulated than Takara Microladies! published on No Comments on Takara Microsisters are even smaller and MORE articulated than Takara Microladies!

It has come to my attention that the Takara Microladies have smaller relations with even greater articulation. At 9cm, the Microsisters have 36 points of articulation, which is more than every single one of my 1:6ers. I need a Microsister! They were even issued as part of the blank, naked, solid-colored Material Force, but those are apparently extremely rare.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1679955.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Dolls for dolls: skeletons and accessories for Isabel

Dolls for dolls: skeletons and accessories for Isabel published on No Comments on Dolls for dolls: skeletons and accessories for Isabel

Because I have a cemetery-obsessed main character [Isabel] and because I think they’re hilarious, I am ordering 2 Rement Pose Skeletons, the coffin, the toilet, the desk and the IV pole. It would be awesome if they came in time for Halloween!

I’m entertaining the idea of Isabel doing photostories with the skeletons and possibly Jujube. In such a case, Jujube would be the main character, and one of the skeletons would play the Grim Reaper constantly hanging around her.

EDIT: Maybe my Takara Material Force Microladies would be a better choice for the living people in Isabel’s photostories.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1679624.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

I’m a genius! I made a sit morph!

I’m a genius! I made a sit morph! published on No Comments on I’m a genius! I made a sit morph!

Yes! I created a sitting morph for Neftis’ Lady de Lioncourt Dress for G2F. I love this Gothy, neo-Rococo dress, but its inability to sit realistically has prevented me from using it.

After grumbling in quiet frustration for several months because I thought my skills were not equal to the task of making the dress sit, I finally decided to attempt the creation of a sitting morph. And I succeeded!

I made the morph entirely in Daz with D-Forms because that’s the method of modeling with which I feel most comfortable. I even minimized distortion of the bat ornaments all over the skirt. Go me! I’m amazing!

Jareth cheers in happiness below.Continue reading I’m a genius! I made a sit morph!

I don’t care if you’re not much for Jennifer Garner, Tom Cruise or Miley Cyrus…

I don’t care if you’re not much for Jennifer Garner, Tom Cruise or Miley Cyrus… published on No Comments on I don’t care if you’re not much for Jennifer Garner, Tom Cruise or Miley Cyrus…

…Just go check out Studio Art Vartanian’s amazing morphs and textures! She specializes in various celebrities, with spot-on likenesses, realistic skins full of depth and matching hairstyles with realistic textures and movement morphs.

Incidentally, I cannot take Tom Cruise seriously in anything. His mere presence ruins everything, from Legend forward. Too bad, as some of the movies he shows up in are interesting.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1679214.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Reeva Steenkamp still dead; ex still to blame, but declared innocent of murder by courts

Reeva Steenkamp still dead; ex still to blame, but declared innocent of murder by courts published on No Comments on Reeva Steenkamp still dead; ex still to blame, but declared innocent of murder by courts

The judge in the case against murderer Oscar Pistorius just found him not guilty of murder. As I predicted when I first heard about Steenkamp’s death, her killer got away with it because he’s a straight, cis, white, athletic superstar with the added bonus of having a disability, so, as an inspiring example of humanity overcoming wretched odds, he couldn’t possibly do something as vile as killing another human being. Ugh, the stench of white privilege, straight privilege, male privilege and ableism is nauseating.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1679060.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Rement releases something interesting — 1:18 scale posable skeletons!

Rement releases something interesting — 1:18 scale posable skeletons! published on No Comments on Rement releases something interesting — 1:18 scale posable skeletons!

While I wasn’t paying attention, Rement released something besides licensed stuff that doesn’t interest me. Their Pose Skeleton set features a 1:18 scale articulated skeleton and various sets and accessories.  I find this both hilarious and adorable, as the accessories include Grim Reaper supplies, a toilet, explosives and an electric guitar. These would make great dolls for Isabel, if I could just procure two skeletons.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1678826.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Dollism attendees

Dollism attendees published on No Comments on Dollism attendees

I decided to bring Timonium and either Yamarrah or Araminthe to Dollism. First, they represent my major scales, 1:6 scale and 1:3 scale respectively. Second, they have no small movable parts to lose. Timonium’s wig fits snugly; his skirt’s rubber-banded around his waist with clear elastics, his choker is hot glued down, and he doesn’t have detachable ears [like Flower’s] to come loose.

I’m not sure about whether to bring Yamarrah or Araminthe. Yamarrah’s earrings, wig and glasses are all secured to her head with hot glue, so her hair won’t escape [the way that Araminthe’s occasionally does]. However, I really need to extend the orange of her hands up her wrists if I’m going to bring her, as her color mismatches really piss me off. Araminthe has a sturdier, less fiddly body than Yamarrah, but she doesn’t represent my fabulous [har!] skills in faceups and wigmaking the way that Yamarrah does. Araminthe’s faceup is completely default, and I haven’t yet worked up the courage to wipe and redo it.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1678385.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Merry-go-round and some skeletons on the way for Xandy!

Merry-go-round and some skeletons on the way for Xandy! published on No Comments on Merry-go-round and some skeletons on the way for Xandy!

I just used an Amazon gift card to purchase a cheap, shoddy merry-go-round music box for under Xandy’s crinoline. When it comes, I will better be able to figure out what size of horse skeletons to put on the poles instead of the ridiculously blobby default wooden ones. 

EDIT: Used the rest of the gift card to drastically reduce purchase price for some little orange and white skeletons dancing on a black field. This cotton print cloth will form some of the layers of Xandy’s skirt. I also ordered 2 yards so that I can eventually make a shirt for Isabel, using the pattern that Andrea so generously gave me. [Now where did I put that?]

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1678256.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Digital hair: repurposing a procedural grass shader for a buzz cut

Digital hair: repurposing a procedural grass shader for a buzz cut published on No Comments on Digital hair: repurposing a procedural grass shader for a buzz cut

I shave my head about once a month, which means that my fine, straight hair cycles between essentially nonexistent and, at max, an inch long. Much to my irritation, I have not been able to find a digital representation of my even-all-over buzz cut.

Enter Age of Armour and DimensionTheory’s Grass Shader for Daz Studio, a recently released procedural shader. The average shader depends on various maps in jpg or png [transparency, bump, specular, normal, etc.], from which it then generates texture effects on a digital model. By contrast, a procedural shader like the AoA/DT Grass Shader relies on a scripting language to calculate its effects. Maps may be used optionally to fine-tune the results of a procedural shader, but they are not necessary.

The Grass Shader works by creating actual 3D grass blades [as opposed to a displacement effect on a flat surface]. Controllable effects include blade thickness, blade length, base color, tip color and clumping. Of course, I read the product description and immediately leapt to the conclusion that the Grass Shader would work equally well as a specialized type of hair shader, specifically for short and spiky ‘dos. At last — a buzz cut maker!

To replicate my favorite hairstyle in digital, I started with a universal skull cap from PhilC’s Hair Designer. I morphed it and tweaked it until it fit the default G2F model. I planned to use the Grass Shader on the skullcap, so I ensured that it fit G2F’s head closely. I wanted to create a realistic semblance of hair growing directly out of her scalp.

I then experimented with the shader settings to approximate my actual hair. I had little trouble determining an appropriate blade length, blade thickness and clumping strength, but I spent hours fiddling with diffuse color and translucency. At first I tried making the base colors brown and the tip colors blond, as this is how my hair appears with light shining through it, but I eventually realized that the translucency strength controls this effect, and there’s no need to make the diffuse channel do the work. I ended up making all base and tip colors the same flat brown that my hair appears when it’s lying on the floor after I’ve shaved it, and that achieved a more realistic result.

I also experienced some difficulty in making the hair cover the model’s head. Yes, I know — a quick glance in the mirror clearly demonstrates that my scalp remains highly visible when my hair is buzzed quite short and, yes, it does look like I’m kind of bald. I wanted the effect of a full head of hair, however, so I made some geoshells of the skullcap and shaded them with the same settings as the original skullcap.
Behold — my digital buzz cut! The first render shows only one layer of shader hair: the skullcap. The second shows the skullcap + a geoshell layer of hair. The third shows the skullcap + 2 geoshell layers of hair.

Continue reading Digital hair: repurposing a procedural grass shader for a buzz cut

My Barbie Coca-Cola Soda Fountain and the horrors of customer service

My Barbie Coca-Cola Soda Fountain and the horrors of customer service published on No Comments on My Barbie Coca-Cola Soda Fountain and the horrors of customer service

This post was going to be a series of photos just showing off my nifty new set piece, a Mattel Coca-Cola Soda Fountain, which I acquired this week for below original retail. It’s surprisingly huge and true to scale, unlike most playline Barbie stuff, which is undersize. I appreciate its solid, high-quality details, like vinyl cushions on the bar stools and the wooden crate of Coke bottles. I particularly like the tabletop jukebox and the straw dispenser!

I was just going to provide some closeups of the accessories and long shots of the set with dolls showing scale. However, my narrative imagination cannot resist adding plot to photo ops. And so here’s a photostory that doesn’t really highlight the soda fountain set. Oh well. :p
Continue reading My Barbie Coca-Cola Soda Fountain and the horrors of customer service

Progress on digital hair goals

Progress on digital hair goals published on No Comments on Progress on digital hair goals

 At the end of July, I made a list of hair models that I wanted to create:

  • the Goblin King’s hair from Labyrinth
  • a decent Farrah Fawcett ‘do
  • Pippi Longstocking braids
  • a detailed mullet with lots of feathering along the sides
  • a true Gibson Girl bouffant
  • 1980s hair with bangs fixed into a fluffy wave with hairspray, sides held back from face with barrettes
  • a center parted wedge cut, longer in front than in back, with bangs and a buzzed nape
  • straight, shoulder-length, center-parted hair with sufficient volume, bangs and an integrated headband
  • my hair 3 weeks after shaving it: sticking out straight and soft about a half an inch in all directions
  • a fantastical pompadour-like ‘do that can rise and expand to truly comical heights and widths

The Goblin King’s hair = Aliza, my first digital hair freebie. I did complete a set of Pippi braids, but the bangs kept pissing me off, so I left it alone. I really hate bangs that lie flat. The fantastical pompadour = Zabby, still yet to be released.

I even did my own buzz cut, but I’m saving that for a separate post because it’s not a hair model, but rather a preset for a procedural shader. There are two more hairstyles that I want to accomplish with this shader:

  • short mohawk
  • late stage baldness with a rim of hair around the ears and back of the head

More later…

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1677544.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

A digital model I would really like…

A digital model I would really like… published on No Comments on A digital model I would really like…

A dress with ridiculously huge leg-o’-mutton sleeves like Sarah’s in Labyrinth. And I don’t mean standard leg-o’-mutton sleeves — I mean sleeves that equal a panniered skirt in width and make it impossible to go through doors head on.

Jareth: "Why don’t you put some sitting morphs in the Lady de Lioncourt Dress, the Skirt, the Marie Louise 18th Century Gown and that Extravaganza thing? I mean — what’s the use of ridiculously voluminous dresses if you can’t sit in ’em?"

Me: "A) I don’t have the 18th Century Gown anymore; I thought it overlapped too much with Lady de Lioncourt. B) The Skirt already has sit morphs. C) Shush. I’ll get to Lady de Lioncourt and Extravaganza when I have the time."

Jareth: *adds the Victorian Gown for G2F, Penny Dreadfull for G2F and the Marie Louise to my Daz wishlist* "Did you notice that Penny Dreadfull is 50% off?"

Me: "The creator explicitly told me he couldn’t make it sit. The bustle gets in the way."

Jareth: "So take the bustle off."

Me: "I’m going back to work."

Jareth: "Hey!" 

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1677136.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

“Sink me — the man can’t even tie his own cravat!”

“Sink me — the man can’t even tie his own cravat!” published on No Comments on “Sink me — the man can’t even tie his own cravat!”

For some reason, in high school French class, we ended up watching a 1982 TV movie adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel, probably because it was nominally set in the French Revolution. Anyway, I found it thrilling for several reasons:

  • Anthony Andrews hamming it up as Sir Percival Blakeney/Scarlet Pimpernel
  • Ian McKellen sputtering and fuming as the villain Chauvelin
  • the climactic fencing between aforesaid characters
  • S.P. slicing through Chauvelin’s shirt collar and mocking him: "Sink me — the man can’t even tie his own cravat!"

Incidentally, a quick IMDB search on Anthony Andrews reveals that he works steadily, especially in TV, and still looks the same as he did in 1982, only with less hair. Nice smirk!

The name Percival really irritates me for some reason. Really, really, really irritates me.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1676941.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Cards Against Humanity and the insidious trap of hipster prejudice

Cards Against Humanity and the insidious trap of hipster prejudice published on 1 Comment on Cards Against Humanity and the insidious trap of hipster prejudice

For those of you not up on the latest hip party game for people in their 20s and 30s, let me introduce you to Cards Against Humanity. Essentially a group form of multiple choice Mad Libs, this game features a bunch of black cards, which contain sentences with key nouns left out, and a bunch of white cards, which contain nouns or noun phrases. Each player draws a hand of 10 white cards, and then everyone gets a chance to read a black card aloud. After a card is read, players choose from their hand the white card that they think best completes the sentence. These cards are distributed to the reader anonymously. The reader reads the selections aloud and selects the one they like best. The player whose white card is chosen wins the black card. All players draw another white card to keep their hand up to 10, and the role of reading black cards passes to the next player.

In concept, Cards Against Humanity is the sort of game I love. There’s no competition and no real winning or losing. The game emphasizes creativity and amusement instead of points and strategy. It’s the type of game that grows exponentially more hilarious with more and more players, and it sparks very interesting side conversations when people ask or joke about each other’s choices.

In practice, however, I find Cards Against Humanity very problematic in terms of content and framing. The black cards, with their framing sentences, feature mostly topical references familiar to people in their 20s and 30s. Examples include: "What does Prince insist on being included in his dressing room?" and "What does Obama do to unwind?" Fine, no big deal.

It’s the white noun cards, though, that drive me up the wall. If they contained only generically amusing phrases such as "murder most foul," "inappropriate yodeling" and "licking things to claim them as your own," I wouldn’t object. But no, those cards are a distinct minority. The white cards focus heavily on topics apparently considered taboo or difficult to discuss by the white, straight, cis, male, bourgeois creator, including people of color ["brown people," "the hard-working Mexican"], people with disabilities ["amputees," "Stephen Hawking talking dirty," "a robust Mongoloid," "a spastic nerd," "the profoundly handicapped"], queer people ["the gays," "praying the gay away"], fat people ["feeding Rosie O’Donnell," "the morbidly obese," "home video of Oprah sobbing into a Lean Cuisine"], gender-nonconforming people ["passable transvestites"], genocide ["inappropriately timed Holocaust jokes," "helplessly giggling at the mention of Hutus and Tutsis"], Muslims ["Allah [praise be unto him!]," "72 virgins"], poor people ["poor people," "homeless people"], old people ["Grandma," "hospice care"], child abuse ["child abuse"], rape ["surprise sex"], paraphilias ["German dungeon porn"] and crap ["fiery poops"]. I could go on, but then I’d be quoting the entire suite of white cards.

Cards Against Humanity glancingly acknowledges the problematic structure of its game by billing its audience as "horrible people." "It’s as despicable and awkward as you and your friends," crows the main page of the game’s Web site. Of course, below this description are various cool publications and people praising the game, so clearly the game’s creators see being "despicable and awkward" as a coveted, desirable status. They quote condemnations from the Chicago Tribune ["absurd"], The Economist ["unforgivable"] and NPR ["bad"] in contrast with praise from INC ["hilarious"] and Boing Boing ["funny"]. Thus they associate criticism with old-fashioned, conservative, humorless media outlets full of old people and appreciation with the young, hip, cool crowd. To be "despicable and awkward," then, is ultimately to be cool. 

What does Cards Against Humanity’s concept of coolness — that is, their idea of rebranded despicability qua awesomeness — entail? Basically it means laughing at anyone who’s not a straight, white, cis, bourgeois, hipster dude [like the creator]. Don’t try to tell me that, because the game has white cards like "white privilege," it actually critiques those who are discomfited by the concept. No, it doesn’t, not when the majority of cards make marginalized people who lack privilege into punchline after punchline after punchline.

If you’re still not convinced, let me break it down to you with a single example: the white card that has the phrase "passable transvestites." There is so much wrong with this card that it’s hard to know where to start. Well, to begin with, clearly someone thought this phrase worthy of inclusion into the deck of white cards, meaning that someone perceived it as shocking, racy, funny and potentially ridiculous. So what’s shocking, racy and entertaining about "passable transvestites?" Yeah, a gender nonconforming person who goes out in public en femme so that they avoid being clocked always makes me laugh. The stats on trans and other gender nonconforming people being harassed, assaulted and killed provide comic relief every time I read them. The outdated language on this white card — the vexed concept of "passable," coupled with the no-longer-used, clinical-sounding "transvestite" — signals that the game’s creators are hung up on old-fashioned binaries of gender presentation, the transgression of which they find hilarious and pathetic, instead of a matter of life and death.

I can make the same points about Cards Against Humanity’s treatment of people with disabilities, the prejudice against whom can be summed up in a single white card: "Stephen Hawking talking dirty." Yup, yup, of course, people who are neuroatypical, emotionally atypical and physically atypical to the extent that society doesn’t really know how to accommodate them — they’re comedy gold! I mean, really — can you imagine a man with paralysis talking dirty? First of all, he’d be doing it with the help of his computer, which is inherently hilarious, you know, because he can’t really talk. Second of all, it would imply that he, despite being unable to move parts of his body, has active sexual desires and interests, which is a shock, because no paralyzed person has ever had sexual interests and agency before — ever! They’re just…like… wheelchair-bound automatons. Yeah, "the profoundly handicapped" are a gas all right. Yet again, Cards Against Humanity’s decision to employee the passe and offensive term "handicapped" shows that they’re not interested in mocking prejudice, but in perpetuating it.

EDIT: As rosettanettle points out in a comment on my LJ crosspost, the creator of Cards Against Humanity expressed regret for the "passable transvestites" white card, which is now no longer included in decks. This does not, however, negate any of my points. If anything, it reinforces them, since the creator’s expression of "regret," which came only because he was called on his transphobia, comes across as less a regret of treasuring bigoted tenets and more a regret at getting caught. I also suspect his theatrical Tumblr photoset of him lighting the card on fire of being a self-aggrandizing performance so that he may be showered with praise about what an enlightened ally he is. Why do straight, cis, white, middle-class dudes think they deserve extra special plaudits for meeting minimum standards of decency? "Despicable," indeed.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1676643.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Chittenden County Vermont Doll Club is now Vermont Doll Lovers!

Chittenden County Vermont Doll Club is now Vermont Doll Lovers! published on No Comments on Chittenden County Vermont Doll Club is now Vermont Doll Lovers!

I just changed the name and URL. With regular attendees from outside the county, the name CCDC no longer accurately reflects what we’re about. "Vermont Doll Lovers" sums it up better. Though we welcome people from anywhere, we focus on providing a community for Green Mountain State doll enthusiasts. Now to update everyone…

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1676303.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

“I do need help with one thing: Can you light my wheels on fire?”

“I do need help with one thing: Can you light my wheels on fire?” published on No Comments on “I do need help with one thing: Can you light my wheels on fire?”

A minor character in a Monster High ep, Finnegan Wake [har!], is a mer dude who speeds everywhere, mowing people down, and behaves with a mixture of insouciance and recklessness. [He’s referred to as Rider in this wiki, but it’s clearly the same character.] He also uses a manual wheelchair.

Mattel had a chance to create a really cool character who had a visible disability, but was not defined thereby. Instead, what did they do? They defined him by his disability. As the ep Ready, Wheeling and Able shows, the main monsters recognize that he uses a wheelchair and assume that he’s into sedate, sedentary activities. After some platitudes about not jumping to conclusions and letting people do what they want, the main characters realize that Finnegan is much more at home on the track [?]. He assures everyone that, if he needs help with anything, he’ll let people know, and then he asks someone to light his wheels on fire so he can do a trick.

In summary, Finnegan may appear at first glance to be some sort of super awesome stereotype-busting character. However, his adrenaline junkie behavior just acts as a blatant, sweating insistence that he’s INDEPENDENT and AUTONOMOUS and ATHLETIC and FULLY CAPABLE DAMMIT EVEN THOUGH HE’S IN A WHEELCHAIR. As an implicit contrast to wheelchair users as silent, passive, objectified characters, Finnegan hits the other extreme and, because he tries so hard not to end up like the stereotype, he ends up referring all the more pointedly to the stereotype itself. An anti-stereotype, made with the intention of compensating for the failures in the original stereotype, still reinforces the stereotype. We can see this in the description for his episode: "When Rider rolls into Monster High, the ghouls learn there’s more to this wheelchair-bound new student body than meets the eye." Yup, even though Mattel has strained mightily to progressively depict a character in a wheelchair, they still think he’s bound to his chair, forever immobilized.

Finnegan also drives me up the wall because he’s an inconsiderate, dangerous jerk. His ep introduces his character with a Finnegan-cam view of people diving out of his way as swerving and squealing noises occur. In other words, Finnegan barrels down the halls of Monster High at high speed, forcing people to yield the right of way. He seems to forget that he’s not the only one in the universe with a mobility impairment. For just one example, zombies like Ghoulia and Slo-Mo walk with much more difficulty than most people, but apparently Finnegan doesn’t care; he’ll just run them over because going fast is cool! Nah, he’s just an ass…

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1676110.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Zombieville Chapter 2.3: “The Invisible Landlord”

Zombieville Chapter 2.3: “The Invisible Landlord” published on No Comments on Zombieville Chapter 2.3: “The Invisible Landlord”

Isabel finally makes it to the kitchen for breakfast. But wait…her landlord intercepts her [sort of]!
Continue reading Zombieville Chapter 2.3: “The Invisible Landlord”

Platinum Club Plus just paid for itself.

Platinum Club Plus just paid for itself. published on No Comments on Platinum Club Plus just paid for itself.

I go in and out of Daz’ frequent buyer club, the Platinum Club Plus, depending on my funds and whether I’m in a period of amassing lots of digital content. I had a 3-month subscription [started October 23rd, 2007!!] in my early days as a digital artist, just so I could build up my library. I let it lapse, then got another 3-month subscription [started April 30th, 2014] in time for my birthday as a gift to myself, dropped it for August, then resuscitated it on September 1st to take advantage of this month’s PA [Published Artist] sale and next month’s PC [Platinum Club] sale. I’m also going to extend it through the end of December to get in on end-of-the-year sales.

Aaaaaanyway, I find the discount club very effective, as it offers a flat $1.99 price for a huge back catalog, 2 monthly discount coupons, 5 monthly freebies and discounts that often stack on top of regular promotions. I spent $24.00 for Platinum Plus on September 1st, and it’s already paid for itself, in that I’ve saved well over $24.00 on things I was going to buy anyway.

Item Non PC+ Price PC+ Price Savings  
Parisa for G2F $11.17 $7.98 $3.19  
Leather Factory Shaders $10.95 $1.99 $8.96  
By the Seaside Beach Huts $14.95 $0 $14.95  
Sickle Dress Rig G2F $14.95 $10.95 $4.00  
Spicy Jumpsuit G2F $14.95 $5.48 $9.47  
Succubus Add-Ons $39.95 $21.97 $17.98  

I picked up Parisa for her "evil puppet" makeup. I got the leather shaders because I was long dissatisfied with the freebie ones I’d been using. The Beach Huts, a PC freebie, I wasn’t going to buy, but they cost me nothing, and I like free buildings, so I acquired them. The Dress Rig will help me make floor-length dresses fit better on my people. The Spicy Jumpsuit, which I’ve been coveting since its debut in March, is, of course, for Jareth. The Succubus Add-Ons contain a set of horns and a devil tail, but, most pertinently for me, some bat wings and a snake section so that I can represent as many therianthropes from the mini universe as possible. Someday I should render all the therianthropic characters that I have so far…

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1675710.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Where r u, Scary Godmother???????

Where r u, Scary Godmother??????? published on No Comments on Where r u, Scary Godmother???????

It’s been about a year since the campaign for an articulated Scary Godmother doll, to which I contributed, ended. The last update that we got on the progress of the actual doll was at the end of April, April 23rd, to be exact, when Jill Thompson, creator of the campaign and the character, stated:

"We need to get this right. It might take longer than we all expected, but if that’s the only way she will turn out to be beautiful then that’s what will happen. I have no money to waste. It’s OUR money for OUR dolls. I can’t start at one factory and spend a ton of cash on tooling and then find out it’s not right and then go somewhere else. Or let them use cheap hair or clothing materials because they have it on hand. She has to be exactly how I want her to look before they can move forward because that’s what they say they could do! If it turns out they were fibbing, then we have to find someone else who follows through!

"This is not discouraging news in any way, so do not be disheartened! It just means the doll will be the most excellent!"

Fine. I get it — making a doll to spec, especially on limited funds, requires lots of communication, time and perfectionism. But we contributors have just gone for almost five months, a significant span of time, without any communication from Thompson. I’d be more convinced that we would eventually receive "most excellent" dolls if Thompson kept us updated.

I’m beginning to think I’m never going to get a cute little pointy dolly, which is too bad because I wanted one! 🙁 🙁 🙁 Bad communication pisses me off so much.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1675387.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

3D freebies: Bokehground Bokeh Effect Shaders for Daz Studio 4.6+

3D freebies: Bokehground Bokeh Effect Shaders for Daz Studio 4.6+ published on No Comments on 3D freebies: Bokehground Bokeh Effect Shaders for Daz Studio 4.6+

Bokehground Seamless Tile Shaders

Daz Studio only

Tested only in Daz Studio Pro 4.6 64 bit.

Created with the help of m-ajinah’s freebie Night

Lights PhotoShop brush set [http://m-

ajinah.deviantart.com/art/Night-Lights-Brush-Set-

106015559], this is a collection of 13 Daz Studio

shaders that provide a bokeh-like look to any surface.

So what are these shaders for?
Continue reading 3D freebies: Bokehground Bokeh Effect Shaders for Daz Studio 4.6+

Do not deal with Mirodoll!

Do not deal with Mirodoll! published on No Comments on Do not deal with Mirodoll!

Mirodoll, a Chinese BJD maker, regularly has stupendous mark-downs on its already inexpensive resin BJDs. These sales, plus Mirodoll’s wide variety of resin colors, make the company attractive to people who want dolls [especially in nifty, non-standard colors], but don’t want to pay an exorbitant amount. Yes, it’s very tempting, but I strongly recommend that people do not deal with Mirodoll. My own experience with them illustrates their poor customer service. Continue reading Do not deal with Mirodoll!

If I got a BJD…

If I got a BJD… published on No Comments on If I got a BJD…

…and made her up to look like the Mad Doll of yesterday’s render, she would be a doll based on a digital render of a human model made up to look like a cross between a puppet and a BJD. She would probably implode from meta-references.

Now I kinda want to do a doll in marionette style, with very stylized makeup and a movable mouth and a marionette of her own. It’s turtles all the way down!
Like this, only in 1:3 scale…and more sinister looking.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1674447.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Zombieville Chapter 2.2: “Talking to the Plastic People”

Zombieville Chapter 2.2: “Talking to the Plastic People” published on No Comments on Zombieville Chapter 2.2: “Talking to the Plastic People”

Muggins wants breakfast. Isabel’s brain has other ideas.

Continue reading Zombieville Chapter 2.2: “Talking to the Plastic People”

Girl, implicated: the child in the labyrinth in the fantastic

Girl, implicated: the child in the labyrinth in the fantastic published on No Comments on Girl, implicated: the child in the labyrinth in the fantastic

Greer Gilman, master of purple involuted mock-Jacobean epics, muses about one of my favorite themes. The girls who have adventures in labyrinths fare differently compared to the boys. [Also she has a bone to pick with Tehanu’s crabbed domesticity in Ursula Le Guin’s novel of the same name. So do I, Gilman. So do I.]

I like her observation that the girls [Ariadne, Alice, Eilonwy from — yack! — the endlessly irritating Book of Three, Arha/Tehanu, Sarah] find their ways out; they know where they’re going. Meanwhile, the boys [Theseus, the White Knight {?}, Taran, Sparrowhawk/Ged, Jareth] don’t; they get lost and bonk around aimlessly. They’re "clueless," Gilman says, which is to say without a clue…or without a clew, Ariadne’s map-like ball of thread that knows the way through the passages. ["Clue" as a hint of a guide derives from "clew" qua thread. I love etymology!]

So why do we only hear of the boys getting out and through the maze? Why don’t we ever hear of the girls who get to know their labyrinths and walk through the darkness, unafraid of Minotaurs?

Beats me. For some reason, Inanna’s descent to the otherworld ain’t considered as compelling. Why not???

Pfffffft.

Goin’ to read Moonwise again, even though it drives me up the wall.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1673607.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

What would a creepy doll be afraid of?

What would a creepy doll be afraid of? published on No Comments on What would a creepy doll be afraid of?

I was playing around this morning with some recent digital acquisitions and came up with this picture. Caption: "I’m pretty sure I made a wrong turn somewhere because this definitely does not look like a shopping district where I can acquire some less skimpy pants."
Continue reading What would a creepy doll be afraid of?

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