Cortez burned his ships upon arriving in the new world to mortive his men, so I am burniong my ships here. No this is not a rant against the community. Its been great watching it grow from the very begining. I was here back when it was "poser Forum" and there was so few stuff for poser out there thatis someone needed angel wings they had to get mine, or even soemthing as basic as a set of boots that they had to use mine. That was way back when I went by under the name Phil Hokusai. Back in those those days it was good week if you got five new freebies. Now we have so many people far more gifted than I out there making stuff for free or for sale. I have since realized that I have not realy done much exect fiddle arround and perfecting some of my characters. Ironically What I am now know for is deleloping the "manikin technique" to convert clothing, which indedently was a dumb idea that I come with one night and took about two hours to pefect. Its a klugde that I not satisfied with. (I have been trying to prefect the technigue in a stand alone program, but never finished it, and now I consign it to the trash heap of oblivion. If anyone with real programming skills wants to take up the project send me a message and I'll gv eyou what I have. I'll be checking up this site for a while still.) I guess thats the problem, I'm more of a modeler and a perfectionist in a medium where prefection is always being refinined. All of my project are like that old car always on cinder blocks. Every once in a while I get a new idea to totally redesign my samurai suit and start again from scratch each time getting further and further away from completion, much less a decent render. I may be back, but I doubt it. I need to take some time off and fine a new hobby that I can actually see fruitful results. I've remebered this thing I used to do with paper and pencil.....

Back in those those days it was good week if you got five new freebies. Now we have so many people far more gifted than I out there making stuff for free or for sale.<< More doesn't always mean better...at least it doesn't seem to around here. :) I've started to feel like I can't create the kinds of free things that I used to, and lately all I've been able to make are seam guides. However, when people tell me that my seam guides are helpful and they've been able to make a complex texture because of them, it really makes me feel like I'm still able to contribute to the community. I seem to remember you describing a method to convert textures between V2 and V3 even before UTC came out...that's certainly an accomplishment in itself, not to mention all the great ideas you've had in the past. Maybe a short break will do you good, but please think about coming back. The veterans might not crank out renders and free stuff like they used to, but that doesn't mean they're washed up. :) Take care. SnowS

O.K., take some time off. We appreciate what you did over the years. You will find that you'll develop new ideas as the software improves. Just one request - how about showing us a render of the latest version of your J. Rabbit model?

LordN, Just a little story. I belonged to a well know Midieval reenactment grop for almost a decade, then becmae extremely "burnt out". So I quit, with no intention of ever going back! However, last night after eight years, I and a bit of persuation I went to an event. Much to my surprise I met more than a dozen old friends, a bunch of new ones, and had a blast! I've also made plans for several more outings in the future. The moral is, "Don't burn those bridges! Baricade them for a while if you need to, but you might just find that crossing them again can be fun, when your rested!" mike mike

Hokusai is the name I recognize (which means I may have been here longer than I thought)...but it's a name I respect. You will be messed, but ther'll be a candle burning for you until you return.

you were back? As one of the Hokusai torch bearers from the old 3dCC days... I'd hate to see you leave again, when I just found out you were back. Doug Sturk

Hope to see you back again soon after your sabbtical away from the Poser addiction. ...and thanks for the heads-up, I didn't realize that pencils and paper were still available!

I still use some of your stuff to this day. I don't know of anyone that ever made a Dr.Doom. For that alone I'm in your debt, so long for now, and I hope you return some day. Thanx

Just took a peek and found my oldest (labeled) Hokusai download was your Business Sexy Suit from 3/99, followed by a flurry of ground breaking works for the next couple of years.

Thanks for all your contributions to the community, and cheers on the new path. -floydd Nance

burn your bridges if you have to, but keep the blueprints..;)

The wise always build two bridges...one to leave on, the other to return by. I hope you will use your second bridge one of these days. Meanwhile, keep us posted on your creative pursuits. I'm sure a lot of people here would be interested.

Some people still use those wings! When you come back (notice that I don't say if), please use the hokusai name so that we can welcome you properly. Graphite is a very permanent media. Have fun with the pencils! Carolly

While sad to see you leave us I do understand what your saying.. Please don't make it permanent. You and your peers of times gone inspired so many of us.. We haven't forgotten. Take Care and may life bring you nothing but joy. Helen

What are these strange implements you call "paper and pencil"? I've heard they were once used in primitive societies. Seriously, do whatever gives you joy.

Phil Hokusai - I still have old backup CDs that have a folder with your name, inside the Poser folder that didn't even fill the CD. In those days who could have imagined a "back up CD" for Poser stuff would take a couple DVDs?! May your new explorations bring you joy, but do stop by sometimes.

LordNaka you & a few others, SnowSultan, traveler, Nerd, rbtwhiz, PhilC, ernyoka (I could go on & name them all but I'll spare their blushes) ;) have made using poser a real joy for lots of people & most of the figures clothes & textures would not exist if it wasn't for you all. So you're only known as the mannikin man these days & SnowSultan is the seamguide man, the point is you've done something that will be remembered & used for a long time compared to someone who makes 20 items that noone will use more than once. When you decide it's time to come back there'll be a place by the fire for you & a big glass of your favourite drink waiting :)

I recognize the name Phil Hokusai for sure, and consider you one of the talents (yes, that word fits) who inspired me to dig into this program / medium. You have a gift (along with Anton, Wyrmmaster and others mentioned) for discovering the techniques that we might never have found. However the textures and meshes may have changed, you lead, while we follow. I wish you well on your sabbatical, and hope you use the time to rediscover the enjoyment of creation, whether Poser-related or otherwise. But I hope that enjoyment will turn out to be in some aspect of Poser, so that you won't be a stranger. Take care; Chas

Any time ANY one asks for wings, I think of yours and recommend them - even above paid wings - and no, it's not because they're free, it's because they're excellent. Come back soon!