Funny you should mention that, Elizabyte. This reminds me of a topic over at PP once when folks were debating about the use or misuse of the term "artist".

I remember Mendhi saying something very interesting in that thread, and this is not a verbatim quote by any means, but her comment was something to the effect that much of what she saw the market as selling was material that allowed people to think of themselves as artists. In essense, a merchant is working to inspire or excite the customer to think that this character, texture, scene, etc. is the thing they need to realise a vision or create a work of beauty.

Obviously, we all know that there is a heck of a lot of work that goes into a decent piece, but it's not neccesarily the merchant's job to emphasize the labor involved.

Here's another analogy. I use power tools. Now if you watch any advertisement for a Black and Decker drill, circular saw, etc, you'll likely see a handsome, rugged looking fellow- possibly with his equally attractive wife, creating a lovely gazebo or a deck for their back yard.

Now if the ad were to show the circular saw cutting through three-quarter inch steel or poured concrete, then that would certainly be misleading.

But is it in fact misleading to show something that the tools could build, in the hands of a skilled craftsman using quality material?

For that matter, look at advertisements for most consumer products. When was the last time you saw a television or print ad showing a vaccum cleaner used by a heavyset middle aged person wearing sweatpants, fip flops and tee shirt in a cramped apartment? When's the last time you saw an ad showing a cellular phone in the hands of a gangly teenager with braces and acne, or a fat balding businessman in a rumpled suit?

Or for that matter, look at advertisements for items like paintball guns. If I've had a dollar for every time I've sen a picture of a paintball gun held by a drop-dead gorgeous model, I could afford to buy myself some of those lovely anodized pistols.
Funny how most of the folks I know who play regularly somehow never seem to be nearly as pretty. It's like a whole different sport, somehow... :)

Again, to reiterate, I think it absolutely makes sense to clarify one's render engine and postwork. That's just basic transparency.

Good discussion, folks. Edited for typos. I'm all thumbs today.

Message edited on: 03/17/2005 08:34