Well thanks for the interesting responses, I have been doing conventional sculpting/modelling for a living, and hope to eventually move over more to computer graphics. If I want to do that of course, I have to learn the modelling programs, simply because not everything I want will be available ready-made. Having said that I agree with nanotyrannus, for commercial images, if a ready model is available to buy then you might as well use it, as a client wouldnt care, that option isnt open in conventional sculpting.

I havent found the task of cutting out a required alpha the problem deevee, you must be missing out, PSP has all the tools to make the task just minutes, background eraser, smart edge selection etc, modelling takes me far more time. I am just never satisfied with the shadows; a flat object if representing anything other than a flat object will not cast a convincing shadow, so it limits the position it can be used in.

I would agree with Djeser that it should also be about fun, there should also be some pleasure in graphics for commercial purposes, but I was interested in what others felt about what is considered acceptable methods. If those that are involved with computer graphics are not agreed on what is right, then the so-called legitimate art world will not accept computer graphics as real art. The fact that Sir Nicholas Serota boss of the Tate gallery, accepted Tracey Emin's unmade bed as real art, and they accept weird gigantic sculptures that are constructed by others not the alleged sculptor, brings them no nearer to accepting computer graphics as a legitimate form of art.

My reason for saying to those that can create their own stuff, dont lose it, is because I have seen people on other forums, with great creative talents, bog themselves down with repetitive work, because they got the feedback bug, and want to do lots of images for quick feedback, and that is a shame.

As Walther says in the main 3D-art world such as films, of course they have different people for different tasks. As he agreed though it is down to what is right for each individual, and for me after a while, using too much ready made stuff made me lose interest, I wasnt getting the satisfaction that I got from conventional art. I make it quite clear though they are my personal feelings for my images, that does not say that it is right for everybody. I think all of us that respect our viewers would agree though, that however you produce your images, they should be the best you can do at that point in your development, and not purely knocked together for feedback.

Anyway I really only started this thread for feedback, I was getting withdrawal symptoms, I havent posted an image since last year, lol. Dave