There are so many things I would love to ask.  Unfortunately it doesn't seem like this forum is terribly active.  I may as well though in the off chance somebody feels like replying to part of it...

So I just recently got more seriously into using DAZstudio again and upgraded my 4.6+ to pro beta...

and I was wondering the following:

1. For prop making and clothes/scenery that goes beyond parenting series' of primitives together... do we have to use Carrera or Hexagon?  Would other stuff work? 

I know it's possible to import stuff from other programs if it is in .obj format because I remember having done so before in version three point something back then...

2. How do you make textures apply to a model's surface?  Do I have to have them be UV & bumpmapped first to work properly... or can I just rip them from image files I've got floating around in any of my desktop folders (at least for patterns on surface materials)?

3.  Is it possible when saving stuff as a DSON .duf to have it not be a piece of scenery? Like say I wanted it to be labeled as a prop instead... would using the recategorization labeling feature in DAZstudio work for this?

1. Props can be made in any 3d model making program the exports .obj format. It's been a long time since I used DAZ Studio so I don't recall if it can import other formats. Fortunately most 3d apps can export .obj format.

2. Most programs that you build 3d models in have a means of creating UV mapping. Look in your manual for favoriate program or search Internet for turorials.

3. Like I said I don't use DAZ Studio that often but if it don't let you export stuff as a DSON .duf there may be a plug-in to let you do so.

I hope this was helpful. If the model making programs you have don't feel right, you can try some freeware and open source apps that might be more to your liking. Look for Wings 3, Anim8or and Blender. They all export .obj format. Tutuorials for them can be found all over the 'net.

Good luck.

Thanks. 

Why not use the DAZ forums? They are very active.

Hadn't considered that to be honest... will probably give it a shot next.

The DAZ forum is strickly DAZ propagand, you might get help, but few facts or truthes.

Hexagon is stricktly for modeling, and at the cost imposable to beat; especial with the Studio to hex bridge.

Carrara is not a Studio helper app, it is a stand alone and a great replacement for Studio, it does things Studio can only dream of. Think 3DS lite, not content staging; although it can use most poser/Studio content and some times better then studio.

The DAZ 3D Forums are a great wealth of information (if you are researching), however they are heavily censored if you are making submissions so please review the forum terms before making any posts.