Quick question; 

I am working on a standalone bit of software which will enable anyone (regardless of modelling abilities and software they own) to create hundreds of unique hairstyles and facial hair which can be exported to obj and used in any package. You control the hair cards / strips with splines, alter the colours & textures in realtime (straight, frizzy, curly) and you can see what the hair looks like in various environments (day, night, etc...) in gorgeous PBR. The best part is, it is so easy to use as it is all controlled with sliders and handles and it will come with loads of presets. (center parting, side parting, slicked back, spikey, afro....)

I decided to create this bit of software because creating individual hair styles is so time consuming and I honestly prefer making everything myself so that my creations are unique. I also thought people like me and you may get some use out of it. I felt like a decent WYSIWYG realtime hair tool was long overdue and a lot of the best plugins out there require you to have the pro versions of 3DMax or Maya or a knowledge of the inner workings of a complex, multi-functional bit of software.

My initial idea was to aim it at iCloners but I am pretty sure it will appeal to game developers, 3D scanning / photogrametry enthusiasts... maybe even hair dressers and stylists.

The Q's:

With the apparent glut of free hair available, should I continue working on this? Does it have mileage?

Would you buy it?

What would you be happy to pay for something like this?

Should I create an individual use / hobby version (for your own use on your own characters and not resell-able) and a pro version (slightly higher price, a few more features and the right to sell your hair / beard creations on any marketplace to anybody)?

I am genuinely thinking of launching a Kickstarter or Indie GoGo campaign to fund this as it has been hard to give it as much time as it deserves while working on projects for clients, being a good dad to my three sons and giving my wife the time and attention she deserves. ;-)
If I do go down this route, I would let you guys know first and I would make sure there were some pretty decent Early Bird discounts.

This is something I am quite serious about and I want to present it properly to the right audience when the time is right so I am also busy working on all of the proper marketing materials, website, logo, UI before I can reveal anything else but this thread was particularly relevant so I wanted to put the feelers out.

Many thanks in advance for any advice you guys decide to give me.

WOW thank you it very generous!

regards

Hello kind people; Firstly Many thanks to the countless people behind any CG works of art; a copy of these Hair meshes and then to Rampa for zipping another copy() ; transforming them as CC_ACCessories. 

eternityblue (11/21/2016)

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I was thinking, by the looks of it, someone took the free hair here and sold it in the marketplace. I don't want to accuse anyone though, I just thought it was worth mentioning.

Yes, if the free stuff is blocked and/or it was a simple repackaging, that would be 'a dick move' (uncool) IMO.

mrmdesign (11/21/2016)

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That's actually pretty bad. ...
If they have spent time tweaking the hair in some way to make them work better with iClone or changed the topology or textures, it may be of use to someone but it just looks like they have literally just uploaded the freebies into the store .... grab a bit of cash from a gullible shopper.

The spirit of this had good intentions. Good on the people who can add value to the creative good. 
I Rebuilt (in my modeling programs;mesh changes and skinning to CC head bone along wi   ; From CC_Accessories into (very different) CC_Hair keeping their likeness. IMO rebuilding the heart of the form.

Thanks to the 3-4 Wise people  @75/CC_Hair for the whole Pack. 

rampa (11/21/2016)

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That's all freebie DAZ hair. It's exactly what I offered here for free. Maybe it's reworked as CC hair? I provided them as accessories. To each there own, I guess. 

Yes (with many thanks for your compilation ) new CC_Hair , Given a new heart along with rebuild of all mesh; keeping the likeness. 
people have kindly covered for the work I've done upon the work others have...(), I'm interested feeding back true CC_Hair

A good reference (..): but troublesome to use as is. As the original content stood.. it was accessories only; it just didn't work well as a part of CC characters for me.
It made a good reference for building a real CC Hair pack.
So I built something new from their likeness:
20 new CC hair styles (skinned to the CC head) at 1500p (That's 75 points per CC hairstyle) for the lot... That's about 10$ per pack after content store takes it's cut... More of a donation then any profit; A few people at most willing download the pack.

 Sure I could have spent many more hours and added more cloth capabilities to the hair... but I'll leave that in the few users hands.
I planned to spark some positive interest (mostly) with a good set of CC hair from the CC accessories offered here.. then giving back as as real-set of free 'CC-Hair' (skinned to CC head bone) for all
After a few sales. (done!complete). to cover some of my time/costs in re-developments... then I'd like to let it loose a free-for-all...
Stay tuned; I'll have a chat with RL Legal in offering copies of the CC_Hair pack for 0 points soon.