Hi Folks...Meaning no disrespect to the excellent digital artists in the group, but what is this stuff good for? I have Poser 3 I bought several years ago and soon forgot about. My intention was to do short movies/cartoons. Now I see Victoria 3, lots of costumes, explicit art ( nice, too!) and am left wondering what is all this being used for? Are you folks creating characters for; 1. Video games 2. Movies 3. posters/art 4. ??? I'm just trying to see if I should upgrade to P5 and give this another try. Thanks for entertaining a 'stupid' question.

Poser 6 is coming out this spring so you may want to wait. In general, I think poser models have way too many polygons for gaming. However, there are quite a bit of people who use it for animation and artwork. A lot of other's use the features of P5 such as python scripting and shader nodes for the technical challege of creating new effects. With these nodes, some of the effects from higher end programs can be duplicated in Poser. For your interest, there is toon shaders and toon rendering that can make pictures look more cartoon-like. In addition, the combination of Poser and Mimic allows for poser models to speak. I haven't seen too many animations of people speaking and walking around at the same time, but I'm sure it can be done. You will have to decide price-wise if Poser is right for you. For me its an expensive hobby, but certainly worth it...

1. yes 2) yes 3) yes 4) don't know Yes. ;=] P.S. No such thing as a stoopid question ... only stoopid answers ... like this one. ;=]

It's good for whatever you want it to be good for. It's a hobby for me.

I just use it for my own "gratification". I'm no artist by a long stretch of the imagination but I like doing what I do in poser. I'm basically a hobbyist with the odd bit of commercial work when they want someone cheep and cheerful to do stuff! Bloody expensive hobby though! [lol].

Poser is great for sprite based gaming, and cut scenes in 3d gaming, I suppose that the poser 1 people could be used as gaming avatars by todays standards as well. But I really have the urge to say Absolutly nothing, say it again! Poser! huh... What is it good for?

I have used it for:-

• Creating figures for computer games
• Book cover art work
• Figures that were used in a US Army training manual.
• Cartoon helper characters in a kids typing tutor software program.
• Accurate historical figures for a multi media display at an English Heritage site.
• Animating some of my models for an advert for a lingerie store.
• Pulling other Poser users legs .... (Gladys :)

But above all ... just having fun :)

"Interactive courseware" bundled with paper textbooks. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/076930057X/qid=1108066584/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-0516098-5826431?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0766859460/qid=1108066584/sr=8-3/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl14/002-0516098-5826431?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 And, of course, lots of fun.

2 and 3. I've actually used Daz's Eagle with Eagle motions in the intro to a promotional video DVD and instruction DVD set for a client (lacking the ability to find a proper 'black crow' (Tengu) for Poser at that time). I wanted to use a male figure with proper Ninjutsu attire as well, but the only thing available was Daz's awful Ninja suit (not worth the effort). Poser figures were used for the artwork of my C4D plugin (using my plugin to import into C4D and rendering). ;) These are all tools. Don't let anyone con you into believing that the only way to do figure animation is to start by writing an OS. Purists either have the work already (and can be purist) or will never get it. ;0)

" Purists either have the work already (and can be purist) or will never get it. ;0)" Wise, wise words. I wish someone had hammered that idea into my idiot head when I was younger. Seeking a pure and perfect solution is just another name for never finishing a job.

...holy schlamoly! I use Poser to make silly cartoons and animations...ockham uses it to publish medical text books )) Very cool, ockham.

I've used Poser to help me meet deadlines for animating short segments for two exercise infomercials (yes, another corny infomercial featuring "Dork" on an exercise machine), one of them will be hitting cable channels in the US this spring I believe. Aside from commercial work, I've also used Poser figures for some instructional DVD's and, recently, web design work (flash animations, etc.).

Seeking a pure and perfect solution is just another name for never finishing a job. Oh, man! I should have that tattooed on my bezel! I'm no purist but there is something seductive that draws me and many others towards the idea of the one shot render. In order to get things done I am constantly urging myself to employ other software, or media! Remember photography? Yes to questions 1-3. You should really look into question #4. It could be your niche. : )

Go to Curious Labs website Go to Community and click the Curious Sightings tab.

"of what use is a newborn Baby?" -Ben Franklin..;)

It's fun. I use it to pass the time.

And that's about it.

For me, that's enough.

I don't use Poser to make a living. Viewed from a purely utilitarian perspective, it's a waste of both money and time.

By contrast, viewed from the perspective of what I enjoy -- it sure beats watching sitcoms on TV all night.

What's a PC game like Half-Life or Civilzation good for? You can't eat them, and they don't keep you warm in the winter or cool in the summer.

Must not be good for anything...........

Message edited on: 02/10/2005 16:45

a lot of enjoyment and frustration..that's what I use it for .. it quells my masochistic as well as creative side at one time. I really really love the female body as form...the curves...with the Vics especially, you can make a very believable female ... that in itself is worth the cost. I've never made a penny from Poser, but it has helped me spend a big chunk of my paycheck.... as stated above, better this than TV or a thousand other undertakings, like cleaning the house, working, shopping, and so forth. just buy it and enjoy...get P5..then P6 upgrade when it comes out.

It's a weird question if you really think about it.

People I work with sometimes ask what people do with all this 3D malarkey. It usually goes like this...

"So, Paul, what do you do?"

"Well, I make textures for 3D models, to make them look like people instead of showroom dummies."

"Oh, and who buys them, then?"

"Anyone who wants to use them. Other artists, for example."

"Right. So, what do they use them for?"

"For making pictures."

"I see. Why do they make pictures?"

By this time, I'm beginning to lose the will to live. I usually give 'em the "Why does anyone ever want to make a picture?" or somesuch. I usually omit the "You fucking idiot" bit as being a tad too obvious.

Message edited on: 02/10/2005 17:22

Poser is probably one of the slowest paced computer games around but no less enjoyable. I'm sure I said that before but I was joking the first time.

For myself, it's a great animation tool. I also use it as a fulltime hobby. :)

Message edited on: 02/10/2005 17:34

Keeping you sane after a day of dealing with morons at work.... Keeps me occupied while the other half is hogging the tv and watching fishing shows all day long Has made me some of the best and most wonderful friends by becoming a part of this community Has taken a rather large chunk of my paycheck at times which could have been spent on movies, junk I really didn't need, etc Oh, did i mention keeping me sane after a day of working with morons? grins It's good for whatever you want to use it for. I personally can't draw a stick figure to save my life but I'll be damned if I can't come up with some decent images in Poser :)

' Keeping you sane after a day of dealing with morons at work.... ' I'll second that one :D

I work by myself from home. It is impossible to get away from the morons at work! ;)

Has made me some of the best and most wonderful friends by becoming a part of this community I'll second that one :D

I'm too old to play with Barbie and it's cheaper than a psychiatrist (maybe).

teaching demonstrating giving my DEMONS momentary freedom communicating visualizing