Overview
Unlike most 3D software, where 3D objects are usually created from scratch, DAZ Studio is designed to allow users to manipulate "ready to use" models and figures. It is aimed at users who are interested in posing human and non-human figures for illustrations and animation, but who do not wish to incur the expense of, or who may be daunted by higher-end 3D and CAD software. It was created as a direct alternative to Poser by DAZ Productions, the company that (as Zygote) created the built-in content for earlier versions of Poser.
In comparison to Poser, DAZ Studio uses a different core business model. Poser provides a large set of components, not all essential to the creation of imagery, in a commercially available program. DAZ Studio provides a core free of charge program with the required features for the creation of imagery, while relegating other features to add-on 'plug-ins', usually commercially available, which the user may add.
DAZ Studio is capable of importing most Poser content, with the notable exceptions of dynamic clothing and dynamic hair. As a result of the different lighting models, lights may need to be tweaked or replaced and while textures are generally usable between the two (other than Poser node-based materials), optimum results may need slightly different lighting values for each.
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