In Depth Reviews

The New Guy in Town

An In Depth review of DAZ's David Universal Texture Maps

Look out ladies!! There's a new hottie in town!!

The Universal Texture Maps (high-res and std-res) for David by DAZ consists of a body texture, a head texture, a genital texture, eye textures, a teeth texture, bump maps, transparency map, and 31 MAT pose files.

Installation - The packages installed with no problem using the DAZ installer. The hi-res package installs to Pose:!MAT David MapsHi while the std-res package installs to Pose:!MAT David Maps. Textures install to Textures:DAZ:Characters:David.

Loading - We ran into no problems loading the textures onto David, for both packages.

Appearance - The head and body textures are quite realistic and maybe the best DAZ has released with their characters. From the eyes, down to the moles on his body, these textures are loaded with details. Unfortunately, the genital textures are very lacking in the realism department.

Ease of intended use - With the included MAT poses, applying these textures are a snap. One click is all it takes. Poser 4 users will want to convert their bump maps before applying the MAT poses.

Versatility and customization - With the included MAT poses for the sheen and skin tone, you can get some quite different looks for your characters.

Extra features - This package comes with 31 MAT poses to apply the texture to, change the sheen, change the bump, and change the skin tone of your character. Below are some examples of what you can do with the click of a button. You also have the same options for the genitals if you use them in your scene, but be warned, they are not very good.

Skin Default Sheen, Skin No Sheen, Skin Wet

Bump: Weak, Medium, Strong

Skin Tones

Textures - The textures are quite photorealistic. They range from 1500 x 2000 pixels at 72dpi for the standard resolution sets to 3000 x 4000 pixels at 72dpi for the Hi-Res set. Your decision on which set to buy should be based on how you usually use your characters. If you do a lot of close-up pics or you have a beefed up puter, then the Hi-Res set will be for you. If you don't like to get up close and personal with you characters, and maybe you have a lower end computer, then the Standard set would be your bag. Either way you go, they provide a high level of detail for your character.

Both sets come with a: Body, Head, Genital, Teeth, Right Eye (with and without reflection), Left Eye (with and without reflection) textures, and a corresponding bump map for each. Plus, you bet body and head transparency maps.

The genital maps could have been left out of this package, but we guess DAZ had to put something in there. They are not realistic at all. The pubic region is ok with a little bit of hair, but the skin parts just look like skin. There's no detail whatsoever. But, we guess DAZ has their reasons.

Material Zones - N/A

Morphs - N/A

Cost - You can get the standard package for $19.95, which is a very good deal for these highly detailed textures. If you have a beefier machine or a little more cash to spend, go for the hi-res set. It's only five bucks more at $24.95.

Hints & Tips - N/A

Summary
(In Our Own Words...)

Hanley - I'm quite impressed with the amount of detail in these textures. No matter what view you look from, it's very realistic. On the other hand, I'm fairly disappointed about the genital texture. While I don't do a lot of nude pictures, it would be nice to have something a bit more realistic for artistic nude pieces.

Darlisa - I have to agree with Hanley on the genital textures included with these packages. They just aren't up to the same quality as the body textures. They look more hand painted than photo-realistic. Other than that, the rest of the textures are extremely well done and look good on the figure.

Vic - This for the body and face textures are some of the best ones I have, but I have to agree with the rest of the team of the detail level in the nether region. Overall though this is a very highly detailed set of textures.

Credits - DAZ WedgeCut Hair 2.0, David Clothing Pack

Vendor: DAZ Productions
Product Page: David Universal Texture Maps (High Res) & David Universal Texture Maps (Standard Res)