I started using Blender a week ago. It is slow going, but most of the frustrations I had with the interface are gone. The new beta acts more like a conventional application. I have high hopes for this new scripting environment to push out a true iClone to Blender path forward. That is really all that is standing in the way of the "Pixar " level of quality.
Think about it...
iClone has an incredibly robust system for importing content from multiple sources, i.e. Daz, Poser, XNA Laura, sketchup, etc.
iClone has an incredibly sophisticated system for creating animations with that content, i.e. Facial Capture, Body Capture, all the cool tools built into iClone already, plus the function editor.
If someone creates a Blender export plugin, true professional level rendering is possible with eevee, cycles, the internal ray-tracer, or an add-on renderer like Octane.
Good times are close at hand!

Yup... I recall the days of the First Daz plugin being delayed and seeing some very strong posts on here. Like Reallusion was holding back the next Kubrick. In the end, when the plug came out, the quality of iclone vids stayed just about the same. Iclone is a tool. Look at some of Spielbergs early home movies. You could tell the “kid” really knew his way around a camera and story. If he’d had iclone , I can only image what he’d have down with it. To stay on topic, I’d love an octane plug, But that wouldn’t all of the sudden propel iclone vids on the forum into the next stratosphere and into the professional filmmaking world.

My "NEWEST" Latest:)  Movie Made With Amaaaazing iClone


—> High Noon”ish” in Narrow Valley<—

It's a romantic notion to think if we make 'better' movies they'll listen to our requests - my first post on the forum 3 years ago was to suggest "translations and lights" to have 'spinners' to move or increase values smoothly... it's the most basic function which every animation software has (one way or another) - three years later and we still have to enter 'numerical guesses' or click a hundred times to move geo or change the light intensity (yet there's a slider for light range... which is baffling!).  So, two problems... 1. they don't understand the need for good ergonomics 2. they simply make more money by continually offering upgrades or new versions and unless "everybody" complains about something, don't see the need to waste their developers time.

I agree that the movies have not improved at the same rate as the software features have... I imagine it's more likely that the best "movie makers" who've been on the forum have outgrown iClone as their main animation program.

Yeah, like doing a “real movie.” The render engine is just one minute piece to the puzzle. If we have an octane plug, that still means it’s a one or two man team making an entire film along with lighting, acting, animation, material blah blah blah... still not going to be knocking down hollywood’s door.

My "NEWEST" Latest:)  Movie Made With Amaaaazing iClone


—> High Noon”ish” in Narrow Valley<—

I do. Although I won't say it has NOTHING to do with it. Yes some softwares are better than others and some softwares are useless.
But in my opinion, the thing that really needs high professional skill is the users of whatever software it is they prefer to use.
I'm not saying anything against any software people prefer to use. If that's your preference then that is what you should use.


i7-3770 3.4GHz CPU 16 GB Ram   
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I really wonder when do people here start to realize that "doing" a movie has NOTHING to do with the redner engine ...

I think the OP’s choice of verbiage is a bit raw, but understand what he’s saying. Truth is a majority of users here are hobbyists so the render engine is just fine; less than perfect animation is fine as well. All I do is film festivals and when we’ve completed films, we’ve won some sort of award. However, the grand champs are leaps and bounds better than anything I’ve ever made. They’re student films or films made by a group of professionals in Maya. They look like they’re straight out of Pixar. My iclone films don’t look like that. I’m not delusional enough to knock on Hollywood’s door and show them an iclone film :/ I doubt anyone here is actually trying that.

The render engine is waaaay better than what it was, but it doesn’t look like those grand prize animation shorts we see in youtube made in Maya. It doesn’t look like the latest Pixar film. Then again neither does Archer or South Park. We can safely say iClone isn’t a professional render solution without saying “all movies made in iclone are crap.” They’re aren’t something you’d put in the big screen, but even with an awesome render engine, the chances you’d see the next Toy Story or Incredibles posted in the Iclone forum are slim and none.There’s a reason the credits last for over 15minutes and these people working on these huge teams are professionals at their trade. You’re comparing apples to oranges. The typical icloner has a day job and enjoys telling stories and animating. They’re aren’t part of a huge formally trained animation team making a motion picture they want premiered in Hollywood. We’re not exactly thinking we’ll be the next John Lasseter. I’m all for bringing in Octane or another professional render solution to iclone. I think that would be awesome! It would help iclone get into even more people’s hands for use. Opening up a more professional user door. Compared to versions 4 & 5, the render engine is way better. Bumping it up again would be more than welcome. It let’s not kid ourselves and think if we had that plug all of the sudden the forum would be flooded with professional animators working on major motion pictures. I’m super intrigued by the blender pipeline, but Blender is so ugh... just Blender. I still don’t have my arms around it.

My "NEWEST" Latest:)  Movie Made With Amaaaazing iClone


—> High Noon”ish” in Narrow Valley<—

Happy to make Home videos.  Thanks for asking.



Home built PC:- i9 9900K 32GB RAM, Zotac 1080TI mini.
Band Music:-  https://thehairthieves.bandcamp.com/
Solo Instrumentals:- https://sineglidermusic.bandcamp.com/

Yes,  I saw it now thanks.  And I posted this"

Not sure how Octane can fit in this?

Looks like all 22 of Octane Plugins are sold exclusively at Otoy.   The only exception I know,  which would be UNITY. 

I think you get UNITY OCTANE at the Unity store.  But of course its free.