Is it more creatively satisfying when a modeler finishes a project the way they want or when they see others using it? I'm curious how much fun it is to see people making full use of what's been created. There's always a certain satisfaction for finishing a difficult project. If nobody uses it in a render, it would have to be a little disappointing.

Hmmm ... usually, my motivation behind creating something is to make something that OTHERS will enjoy creating something with. Though I really enjoy the process of making things, I am most satisfied when I see others enjoying it. When I see someone enjoying something that I made, it truly makes it all worthwhile. 8-)

The money. It's all about the money. Just kidding. I love to see others use the stuff I've made, but I often make things I know no one will use, but I still love it. Usually because it's different or it's stretched my abilities. I'll make something just like something that someone else has done before, just to see if I can do it. Then I just put it some place and never use it again, since I have the original done by someone else.

Sometimes I just run up things purely to fulfill a need in a particular picture and I'm too lazy to distribute them - or they aren't really worth distributing (especially without textures). But if I do release something, then it's nice to see it being used.

Good question. For me, seeing something used is ALWAYS better than my own esthetic pleasure or money. Best of all is when somebody uses the thing in a surprising way, yielding results that I never imagined. But then, I've always been more of a toolmaker than an artist.

I go with ockham. Although not an artist, I'm a computer programmer (so an artisan, if you like - there's a subtle difference). I love programming. I always have, ever since I found out about it, which was too many years ago now. I program for myself, make little things which amuse me and keeps them. I get a lot of enjoyment from that, plus I still keep learning. Then there's my job. There I program. I make things for others and they use them. There I get the lot: money, satisfaction and pleasure. And sometimes, just 'cos I can I might do a tool that'll help them in my spare time (the equivalent of a "freebie"). I like doing it. Hmm. Not much question-answering there, - but that last little sentence....I suppose it applies to almost any creative job:-)) Cheers, Diolma

Hmmm interesting question. I love to actually finish an item (I'm a Gemini so it doesn't happen often!) and get it into the store so I can forget about it and move on to the next thing. But occasionally I'll be browsing the gallery and see something I've made being used and I get all silly and proud and stuff. That someone was willing to pay for and USE something I'd made is very cool. So the answer for me would be both. I just love to model. Thinking back over the last year, I can't remember a single day that I didn't open Rhino and do 'something'. Sad isn't it LOL

I'm dying to see my stuff actually be used! Completing something is very satisfying, buut actually seeing someone like my work, and use it is just so cool! I actually finished the Power Pixie for Daz 3 weeks ago, and he's just sitting in pixie limbo. They keep saying today's the day, but until I actually see him there.... It's actuallyt VERY frustrating knowing people want my work, and knowing that it's done, and just sitting here on my hands.

I keep grinding it out..it's all free..some folks have taken it..I think I've even seen some of it used. I'm just glad when I get sharp edges to come out in Poser..;) Every model gets a little better..and someday I'll figure out UVMapping, and then...;)

Definately the second option. There's nothing more crazy fun than searching the internet for something and you accidentally come across someone you don't even know using your models for something like a game or web graphics. We all know how big the web is. So bumping into your own creations is the closest thing most of us will get to being famous. Even if they don't know who actually made it. ;-) -ScottA

I would have to say choice #2. There's some satisfaction with #1, but after spending a bunch of time on a model it seems to get "old", but then again it's probably me. So I make the models free when possible. That way they actually get used to some extent rather than "collecting dust" in my archives somewhere. So far it's still rare for me to see one of my models used, but I know they're out there (somebody's been downloading them.)

What little I model... I do for myself. Either because the object seems interesting to do, or I have need of it for a project. Find high poly more rewarding, so thoughts of either giving it away or selling it... is not that serious an option. So at least in my case, working out the technicalities - so that the end result is as wanted is the reward... when the piece is done. But then I am a hobbyist, and use cg as relaxation...

i,m more like Hewsan i suppose. i enjoy working out the technicalities. ive little or no intrest in the mesh afterwards. my main intrest is modeling techniques and improving my modeling skills. i used to put stuff up for free but never saw anything used so i stopped. stu

I'm sort of inbetween myself. I model for the improvement of my own skill and based on my interests. I have always wanted to see my stuff animated some day. However, there is something to be said about knowing your work helped someone else complete an artistic piece they have been longing to do. Especially if that piece impresses you as an artist. One thing the comic book industry has taught me is that there are levels of "fame" and it's best not to look for any of them, as you will almost always be disappointed. I think Stan Lee said it himself, a person would recognize Phyllis Diller(sp?) if she was walking beside him on a street in NY long before they'd recognize him. The same goes for any animator or 3D artist you can think of. Ours is not a field where worldly fame is attainable but we can content ourselves with the respect and admiration of our peers and with the added confidence completing each new challenge brings us.

I'd be happy as a clam if I never had to texture and render any of my models. I just like the creative process. I don't sell any of my models so I guess I can't offer an educated opinion though.

's kinda funny. As a modeller, I look at the mesh of my Land Dragon in freestuff, and cringe. Yet it's the most popular thing I ever created. So in one sense, I'm not satisfied. Yet in another, I am...

Both are terrific, but I'd have to say seeing it used, especially if I see something used by someone I look up to as an artist - that's a real high

It's not that different from any creative exercise. There's always a certain amount of satisfaction of doing something well, but it's an even greater thrill when it's appreciated by others. I'll never use every prop I have downloaded over the years because there has been so much that modelers have generously contributed over the years. I like seeing the more unusual props and figures now because I can't imagine having a need for another hundred fantasy swords.

Especially when it's something 'unusual', like turning a cylinder into a bathtub (see picture).

Note - Model created in Poser4 using 'morphs', separate props were then created and UV mapped with UV mapper. Custom Texture, Bump and Transparency maps by myself.

Image rendered in Poser 4, no postwork other than image cropping and format conversion.

This is my MO-72 Project, a Sphere (72 equatorial divisions by 72 circumpolar divisions) that can change into ALL of the shapes shown here (and then some!). The large spheres on the right show some of the surface polygon groups, while the larger renders in the middle showcase some of the fancier morphs.

NOTE - I had to fake things a bit with the Torus, losing a level of polygons around each of the poles in the conversion - they create a 'disk' that blocks the hole, so I made them 'transparent' for the render. This means that the torus is 72 divisions around the outside rim, but only 34 around the actual thickness of the torus's tube.