For all DAZ's promotion of Auto-fit and re-using old content, it just doesn't work right most of the time. Trying to use Geo-shells and other tricks to get it all to work feels like I need a PhD. So much great content I'd like to use but far to much work to implement... or have to re-build model and textures every 1-2 years as they shift to new generation.

Quite impressive that you've done so much with the Melody A3 model.

Everyone is in blender now. Daz3d is only popular in marvelous designer community (aka, making cool 3d clothes).
Porting models from daz3d to blender is easy (autorig-pro, quickrig addon), and they are ready to animate on-the-go
The only problem is getting through Blender unboarding period, and getting used to its interface.
Send me a note, if you are disappointed in daz, and want to move on to blender as other heroes, like evelbanana, warfaremachine or ruaidri.
Even SFM is dying.

I'm kinda familiar with blender: I make props, character morphs and editing in it.
I have already thought about moving to it, but over the years I made/rigged/ported so many content for DAZ Studio and specifically for Melody model - it will be a huge pain to transfer it to blender. Not even speaking about the amount of time to do it, and I'm already too tired and emotionally exhausted to do even more rigging

Use autorig-pro, and its quick rig addon. It will automatically make control rig over your deform rig. It wont convert shapekey-driver-bones, but im not sure das uses them anyway.
Also it is very good at retargeting, and im pretty sure i can find a daz3d retarget bonelist for you (if you want to convert animations to blender)

I'm still very new to rigging. Yet.

Poke me at Stenier in discord, whenever you stuck or need help

Thank you. Sent you a friend request