When I first got started in Poser, I couldn't afford to buy anything. So I fumbled about with Posette and Dork (Poser 4 native characters.) Unfortunately, they had many limitations. The Poser 4 figures got broken joints when I tried applying even the gentlest poses, and they just don't look "real." I couldn't wait to buy Mike and Vicky. The problems iwth the Poser 5 "native" characters such as Don and Judy is that Curious Labs never followed through to make them "complete." We didn't even get all the morphs they were supposed to have, if memory serves. Don and Judy have minimal "supporting stuff," such as clothes and hair, from any of the merchants. In contrast, as you've seen, you can go to the Renderosity Marketplace or DAZ3D, and find all sorts of stuff for Michael, Michael 3, Vicky, Vicky 3, the Freak, etc.

I admire some folks like Sixus for creating their own stuff. But I need to see the long term: where are the clothes and hair for them? How much variety or choice will there be in the offerings? I prefer to have "mainstream characters" and a wealth of choices. That means the DAZ characters.

You can make the best of your money by doing some research. Hang out at the stores, and see when there is a sale. It seems every week DAZ has a different reason for a sale. They currently have a Birthday sale for Vicky 3. The Vicky 3 anniversary bundle would get you off to a great start for $69.97. Renderosity has some stuff on sale also.

You could consider joining the DAZ Platinum club and get some great stuff for $1.99. Or join Poserworld and get all the stuff they made for one subscription fee.

Message edited on: 12/26/2004 11:33