I would say if the assembly, shading/texturing, lighting, and render are all done in a particular program, then it can be said to be done in that program.

If you take someone else's human model, for instance, add a light or two to the scene, render it, then spend hours afterward in photoshop hand-painting the hair, clothing, background, atmosphere, and touching up or painting in the lighting, highlights, and shadows... then that work ceases to be a 3D render at some point and becomes a hand-painted 2D work. The 3D portion was really only used as a template. Works like that belong in the 2D section I feel.

However, some people seem to think a 3D render should contain NO postwork at all. Well, that's very minimalist. Even the highest end professionally animated 3D FX shots contain SOME level of post. In fact, most contain hours and hours of post.

The key is to get the MOST out of the 3D program you're using. KNOW YOUR TOOLS. If you can do it in the render, then do it, and save yourself the time in post. Alot of the time wasted in post can be done in the resident 3D app if only the user had more knowledge of their tool. However, if the result you're looking to achieve is EASIER to do in post, and you have a deadline or time restrictions on the work, then POST IT IS! LOL!

But just about everything will require SOME level of post... be it color correction or video editing.

Message edited on: 09/23/2004 19:19