discussion How to get started with DAZ in 2025

[GiulioMaster]

Hello everyone.
I wanted to learn how to use DAZ 3d, I saw that there are many sources of tutorials around, however the amount of material is really excessive, furthermore it tends to have extremely fragmented and incoherent content.
Could any of you tell me if there is a well-structured tutorial that teach create a simple scene like this one that I report below? That is a dressed character, posed, decently lit and rendered?
I await your suggestions and in the meantime I play with the program ...

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Source Daz 3d Shop - DT Seviana for Genesis 9 (only for reference)

 

[GiulioMaster]

Well I got some kind of result.

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In this case I used stock material already pre-installed in DAZ (Genesis 9) except for the swimsuit which is this https://lewdcorner.com/threads/x-fashion-cheeky-bikini-set-for-genesis-9-and-8-female.17391/.
About the asset just mentioned to install it as “Smart Content” I followed the guide available on F95 entitled “How to Install Content to Daz w/ w/o Install Manager”.
Now let's continue with the exploration of the program.

 

[leviathan9821]

For creating scenes in Daz, you really will need to watch a tutorial. Arguably, the most efficient tutorial to start with will be the one that pops up on the welcome screen as it will walk you through what everything does and give a basic overview of how the studio software works.

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is a link to the Masterclass series.

As far as that scene you referenced, at minimum you would need a backdrop or static scene, a pose, and lingerie. DT makes their own poses so its possible its one of their own. From there, you would need to see about lighting the scene properly.

 

[User_171343]

Since this seems to be a good threat for it, I've had one issue every time I've tried getting into DAZ. Namely, as I download assets and load them in, I often get errors. Does anyone know a good tutorial for how to set up an asset folder and load in things like models, hairs, and clothes?

 

[leviathan9821]

Since this seems to be a good threat for it, I've had one issue every time I've tried getting into DAZ. Namely, as I download assets and load them in, I often get errors. Does anyone know a good tutorial for how to set up an asset folder and load in things like models, hairs, and clothes?

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is a pretty solid tutorial for setting up the main Daz library directory on your computer. If the file is in a Daz zip beginning with IMXXXXX, it can be dropped into the downloads section for Content Manager if you would prefer to install that way.

What problem are you having exactly?

 

[User_171343]

That's the one I've followed! I get the directory set up no problem. But some models when I load them into a scene are either corrupted or don't load propery. This is usually when I've downloaded F models from f95

 

[leviathan9821]

That's the one I've followed! I get the directory set up no problem. But some models when I load them into a scene are either corrupted or don't load propery. This is usually when I've downloaded F models from Fuck95

Are there any errors that appear? Can you screenshot what's happening?

Usually when a model doesn't load properly its because assets for it are missing. If you downloaded a duf file from somewhere and it didn't list what assets were used, the model would show up wrong, often as a body with a square where its head should be.

 

[User_171343]

Unfortunately I don't have DAZ installed anymore. But maybe I just messed up with how I unpacked everything. Nothing should still be in the zip files should it?

 

[leviathan9821]

Unfortunately I don't have DAZ installed anymore. But maybe I just messed up with how I unpacked everything. Nothing should still be in the zip files should it?

That is correct. With IMXXX files, they almost always have a folder called Content, and two .dsx files. Everything inside of content (e.g. data, runtime, textures, etc.) goes into your Library folder. If the zip doesn't have a content folder and is just folders like data, runtime, or textures, you would copy those folders.

Here is a folder from Daz store with the IMXXXX file name and Content parent directory:

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Here is a folder from a third-party where there is no content directory (note: the zip file was contained within a rar for whatever reason):


Those folders would be copied to whatever your Daz Library is under the DAZ 3D directory.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[User_171343]

Damn thank you! Just one more question.. Is there any risk of hiccups if I drag the files from Documentation, People and Runtime into the same folder?

 

[leviathan9821]

Damn thank you! Just one more question.. Is there any risk of hiccups if I drag the files from Documentation, People and Runtime into the same folder?

Like make a folder called 'misc' and dumping them all there? Absolutely.

All Daz assets have predetermined file paths where the Library folder is considered the root folder. The asset checks to see if the folder and its contents exist. If it does not, it throws up an error.

For example, I moved the contents of the above Haydina hair folders to another folder called misc. I then tried to open a duf file that uses the Haydina hair asset and got the following error:

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Daz Studio is scanning the Library folder for the path '/data/WindField/Haydina Hair/Haydina Hair Genesis 8 Female/Haydina Hair Genesis 8 Female_145411.dsf', but it now resides in '/misc/data/WindField/Haydina Hair/Haydina Hair Genesis 8 Female/Haydina Hair Genesis 8 Female_145411.dsf' and cannot be located. My model no longer has a head since it utilizes that hair:

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So yes, it has to go into the main library folder which for me is 'D:\DAZ 3D\Applications\Data\DAZ 3D\My DAZ 3D Library' otherwise it will not work.

 

[User_171343]

Starting to see what I did wrong.. Might redownload and try again. Thanks alot!

 

[GiulioMaster]

Hi guys, little update.
I finally managed to add a scenario and a first light, I know the result is terrible, but at least I'm learning something.
Let's continue and see…

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[Marlog]

i have a question for anyone who uses DAZ. why do you choose to use DAZ instead of learning something like blender?

 

[leviathan9821]

Hi guys, little update.
I finally managed to add a scenario and a first light, I know the result is terrible, but at least I'm learning something.
Let's continue and see…

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Its not terrible, its showing that you're learning. Keep at it and browse Daz skill threads for inspiration. Some artists will even share their techniques if you ask.

i have a question for anyone who uses DAZ. why do you choose to use DAZ instead of learning something like blender?

I use both but I find Daz easier to manipulate model wise. Blender is better for animations but for static shots Daz seems to be an easier tool to use.

 

[DavyCroquette]

The most important thing of all is the lighting of the scene.