Hiya Modelers! Just out of curiosity, how many of you modelers out there are already merchants in the Renderosity Marketplace? Do you folks offer your products in Poser-ized versions? Or do you (like myself) also offer your products in your core application's native format? You might've noticed that the marketplace here is dominated by Poser products, and yet elsewhere on the web there are products for all sorts of formats, for all kinds of applications. I'm not sure why that is the case is it dominated by Poser products because that is the nature of the market, or is the lack of non-Poser products defining the market? Would you consider becoming a merchant here on Renderosity? What can we (the staff) do to help you make that step? I'm hoping to keep this thread on topic and in focus. So, please, share your thoughts with us. Thank you very much for your time. Cheers! Moebius87 Modeling Forum Co-Moderator

well, this started out as a Poser site. I can't be a merchant, for several reasons (mainly, since I make models at work, 'running a business from your place of work' is a terminatin' offense. Heck, I don't even have a place to post what models I've made..I think that the quality of what I do isn't worth charging for..someday..who knows..;) I'd be happy to find a hosting site that doesn't charge money..if there still are any.
I've made some stabs at Poser, the scaling and orientation are the main problems (well, texturing too..that remains beyond me at present)..but if ya need a helmet..;)
I'm sure a lot of these merchanging folks are..the stats should be available from your website.

Hate to be one of the early ones jumping in (I usually wait until a thread is mature). But anyhow. Lately I've been less and less happy with the 3d "art" I do and more and more intrigued simply by building stuff. I became a merchant as a possible way of supporting the building habit (and as a way of setting goals for myself). Poser is what sells here, and clogs here. And I for one find it kinda intriguing to deal with all the rigging and texturing issues to get a mesh working as a poser object. That said, I prefer to have independent .obj files (not geometry folded into poser files). That makes them easier to work with and to use elsewhere.

Attached Link: http://market.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?Who=markdc

This is a comment from a non-modellers point of veiw. I use Poser for making animations, and my day job is web design and video editing, etc. I have no interest in modelling, so getting things Poser ready is preferable. I have over 6000 free models I have downloaded over the last year, but I find myself using the Poser ready stuff unless I really can't find what I need, then I look for something in a "native" formatt and convert it. With the time it takes to convert scales and textures, and sometimes making your own textures, I really don't bother with native formatts unless I have to. That said, a skilled modeller should have no problem saving his work in three or four formatts and making them all available.

Good modelers are what is realy needed in the marketplace. It's a good idea to make your models in obj format so they will work in most apps... You can in fact make some prety good money in the market if you are a good modeler... Also, there are a few good riggers out there that will be glad to help you out with Poser stuff as needed.

I would love to become a merchant, but poserizing my models has kept me from it.

I like modeling, but having only a good model isn't what seems to sell in this marketplace. As having good quality UVs and Poser rigs seem to count more here. Now maybe if there were a way to split the proceeds somehow amongst artists skilled in various aspects as applied to a model. That way one artist could develop the structure of the model, another could work on the UVs, and one could rig it to define the mechanics and "poserize" it. (Isn't that how most professional ones are done btw?) Also if something's intended for market, it'd be nice to have a way to effectively test something for feedback. Therefore, making it possible for a beta-tester to get some credits on a model might help there. Currently there's model builders, and there's model detailers - but getting the two together... That's where things fall short. Of course there are the few who are talented enought to do it all, but they're not the most common. Which probably explains why the majority of modelers aren't the most active merchants.

Sounds like you are on the right track. There are a few good riggers out there that would love to do this for a small cut..

I'd love to sell stuff. What stops me is 1. I haven't yet made anything I was happy enough with to sell 2. I don't have enough time to pursue/perfect the necessary skills 3. I really, really don't understand why people buy what they buy and ignore the rest. (Any more than I understand why/how they choose their artwork and posters). I don't wish to offend but I've seen terrific work completely ignored, and quite average uninspiring stuff sell like the proverbial. Until I think I've got a product others will pay real money for, I shan't waste my time or theirs.

My impression is there is a lot of impulse buying in the Marketplace. I'm that way with freebies...I see a sexy pair of hotpants, or a nifty looking gun, and I'll grab it immediately. And never use it, maybe never install it. It's the Magpie instinct...somewhere back in our Hominid past we must have liked picking up bright shiny objects (or at least dewy-eyed girls). So if you want to entice the casual shopper, go for revealing clothing for V3. Or make a nice tennis racket or spanner or something but have a swimsuit model posing with it in the advertising. :) Me, I like variety...and I don't like Vickie. If I had to make lace underwear it would be work, and I already have a day job. As far as one-shop manufacturing: my first MP product, for every hour I spent modelling I spent an hour rigging and an hour texturing. And then, it being the first, another hour research, making up boiler-plate readme, shop logo, etc. I find it part of the challenge that I have to not only build it, but install and paint it as well. Then document it, too! I have to say, in my own humble opinion, I do all these things badly. But I do all of them, so the total makes up a little for the lacking of the parts. I think it helps in a way doing it all yourself. You watch the edge loops because you know you'll be doing bones. You can split faces to save yourself from the Poser Smoothing Nightmare. And you spawn extra groupings to make the UV map easier to generate.

Well as pakled noted, this did start out as a Poser site. That said, as a modeler with little interest in Poser and some products in the MP that aren't weapons, cars or fetish gear, I definitely feel like an outsider. All the modeling broker sites are dominated by Poser -- it's all over the web like a rash -- and it's a pain; but that's commerce. If it sells, everybody wants a slice of the action. I do wish we had a not-Poser top ten here though. m ;)

Okay...I'm mentally preparing myself to make the jump to not only the MP, but to Poser-izing my items and to even model traditionally (polygons,nurbs,etc.) So, I have a LOT on my plate, but I've dragged my feet way too long on this. But, reading this info here has completely opened my eyes, as has looking at the "What's Hot" in the the MP; meaning, I better learn how to make lingere, lol. Okay, that's not entirely true, but yes...anything to do with Vickie and being sexy IS the dominating force. My direction will be sci-fi and (lotr-type) fantasy accesories. But, I will remember to make sure a sexy vickie is always holding my sci-fi ray gun or broadsword in my preview pics. ;o) But, nomuse has me scared...edge loops? Split faces? Spawn extra groupings? Oaky, I know what that last one is, but I obviously have a whole new Poser world to learn... AgentSmith

Don't listen to me make hash of the technical vocabulary. I'm an inverterate neo-verbalist and I'm far too playful with the language to make sense. Before you go into the SF weapons check out Dodger. Oh, and I got dibs on Barbarella's kit. I just finished the first one. (And a terrible pain it was to import...stupid reversed normals!)

"So, I have a LOT on my plate, but I've dragged my feet way too long on this. But, reading this info here has completely opened my eyes, as has looking at the "What's Hot" in the the MP; meaning, I better learn how to make lingere, lol." Well I keep wondering whether I should get into the virtual tits `n' arse market, but just considering it puts me in a catatonic trance. They just aren't like real ones,and I simply can't raise that adolescent enthusiasm that not getting enough generates. m ;o)

Lol, well just about anywhere ya go, sex sells, and I don't say that with disdain, I just know its a fact, and that's fine/understanable, but I know I myself will most likely not be producing lingere. ;o) I'll find a niche of models that keeps me interested/inspired, yet have good selling possibilities in a wide area of markets. I believe can do that. I couldn't find a "Dodger" that related to SF weapons... AS

I have been thinking to do something for sale in the marketplace for a long time, but as I am a perfectionalist I did not get those projects into a state I could be happy with. I dont hate Poser, but I hate to poserize stuff. I am working on a Mac and after Curious Labs left me hanging in the air for almost a year with releasing Poser 5 for OSX, I am still using Poser 4 (which is crappy crap under OSX). Everything that works well and looks great seems to look awefull if I import it into poser. Poser 4 cant cope with different normals, it only knows UV mapped textures and cant to other shaders and its hirarchy system for geometry use still is a mystery to me. I also runs very slow with high poly objects. Since I mostly work extremely high poly, I would not want to frustrate any Poser users with props or cloth items that almost could crash theyr application. I think I will soon make the jump into the cold water, since I finally got something done that looks as good in Poser as it does in my native Cinema 4D and that works fast and smooth. Lets see how it works out. If I do, I will provide it in a Cinema native version as well as in a poser version. How would you think about doing both (.c4d and Poser files) in the same package? Is it a good idea to sell both together for one price, or is it more adviceable not to do so?

I don;t know, I suppose it wouldn't matter to me. I use Poser 4 w/Pro Pack, which can export to C4D specifically (if I had C4D). I would think it would be a good idea to include a generic version of the model (.obj, etc) along with the native file (Poser-ized, .c4d, .lwo, .max, etc) Or, say, if someone purchased your model, they could be allowed to download it in any of the formats you make available, or all if they want. (don't know if the MP is set up for that) AS

"..(if I had C4D)." It's currently free (version 6) with the UK mag 3DWorld. The rendering is limited in size, though. Putting several versions of a hi-poly model in a single zip would make for a long download if you're on dial-up. Maybe you can put them in the MP as different products? m.

Yeah, I've got to make the trek to the book store and pic that (free C4D) up, limited render size or not. C4D is my choice right now for a higher end app, as opposed to my Bryce work. AS

3DWorld has it? Ow. Time for me to run, not walk, to the local Barney-in-Hell bookstore.

I have been doing 3D modeling for almost 7 years, 2 of which I have run my own buisness. I have looked into selling my items here at renderosity several times but the customer support in my experiences has been less than satisfactory. Also the lack of the ability to test industry standard formats such as .lwo (after version 5.5 that is) is another draw back to selling here. It limits me severly in what I would be able to sell as Lightwave 7.5 is my native tool. But I would still like to sell my models here. I am unfamiliar with "poserisng" models though. I have a question now that I have rambled my opinions onto the board :) Is there a poly limit in poser? I would like to look into poserisng my models but for the most part I have been doing highlt detailed vehicles with 100,000 plus polys. Is this something you in the poser community would be interested in?

Items taken into Poser are usually taken as low poly as possible, but depending on what the model is, there could still be some very interested buyers. Lol, unless it's a 100,000 poly candle holder, etc. AS

Heyas foop! :o) I've created a few models in my native LW3D 7.5 format, and they've tested quite well (and rather quickly, I might add) in the Renderosity Marketplace. I'm not too sure if they were opened up in 7.5, but I made them in such a manner as they would be compatible with any LW flavor after 5.5. Give it a go! The worst that could happen is that they might need to get stripped back a bit, but don't let that stop you from letting your passions for the arts earn you a bit of income. :o) Cheers! M

I was taking a break from rigging a poser character to explore forums today and just came across this one lol So far, I only made original props, since rigging (to me, at least) is 5 times more tedious and difficult than modelling :( .. or maybe i'm just a perfectionist lol Anyways, I meant to ask: how much would you charge for an original figure? It's really hard work but unless you're an established merchant or unless it's a Victoria-based product, it wont sell alot at anything higher than 10 bucks.. One thing I would suggest that the admins do is highlight a section for original figures, and a separate section for original props, hopefully? It would make it much easier for me as a customer too, since I'm always looking out to buy non-Victoria/Michael/Koshini/Laroo/all-that-DAZ3D-type stuff :P

Good idea. AgentSmith

Very good idea, Fatale. Will bring this one up with the Marketplace folks for their consideration. :o) Cheers! M

Thanks much! :)

Hi gang, Moe - Thanks for directing me to this post. Fatale, If I get an Original figure rigged for Lightwave or Maya etc...I can create a category as needed... We currently have this in the MarketPlace for Poser Original Figures.. MarketPlace : 3D Accessories : Poser : Original Figures Is that what you are talking about? Clint

Clint, yes :) Tho what I'm suggesting is maybe feature about 3 random (exclusive?) original figure products under their own little section on the front page like the Top Sellers and Vintage Exclusives. Since there are very few original figures made (compared to other products), merchants would get a bit more in advertizing, and thus more incentive to sell here, perhaps? Anyways, no biggie.. just a suggestion ;) I know the programmers are busy with the current planned enhancements to the marketplace .. oh, and thanks for the tiny enhancements here and there in the galleries and such .. cant recall what exactly was changed, I just browse the site randomly, but overall, Renderosity is looking pretty sleek :)!