I was curious - what sorts of projects do most people use Poser for. Before coming to this site I hadnt really thought about it as a tool for doing art [ie, single frame renderings as opposed to animations] but I see that there are a lot of people that use it for that [why I didnt think of it is a mystery since the moment I saw it I realized how obvious the idea was] and I have read a couple book for Poser and they seem to assume that people are going to make short little filler sorts of animation, but I wonder how many use it for larger projects and if it is just a hobby for most or if there are a lot of people creating things commercially with Poser. I have done a number of short animations [in the range of a minute or so] but those where basically things to help me develop the skills for larger things. What I am working on right now is the first in a series of episodes each of which is likely to run between 30 minutes to an hour [dont hold your breath, it may be a while before Im done - grin] In my case it is purely a vehicle of self expression - a hobby if you like - although I wouldnt run away if someone threw money at me for my work, Im just not expecting it. So I wonder how typical this is and also I'm curious as to what people in general use Poser for.

What do I use Poser for? That's easy ... Fun! cheers, dr geep ;=]

"I have read a couple book for Poser and they seem to assume that people are going to make short little filler sorts of animation, but I wonder how many use it for larger projects and if it is just a hobby for most or if there are a lot of people creating things commercially with Poser." I use it commercially, particularly for animation. I haven't seen anyone do a full-length movie using Poser yet, but I've done dvd shorts, animations for web-based (downloadable) movies, and some advertisement spots for television using it. I know someone recently used it for the scenes in a Discovery channel presentation about the "history of war" or some such similar topic, and it's often used in infomercials and other advertising media. Most people do use it "just for fun" like Geep points out, but there are those who are making decent money with it as well. It seems to be great for comics, for instance, and I see tons of online comics produced with it nowadays.

amusement... hours of sheer play.

I can't argue with fun [heh] I doubt I'd put this much time into it if I didn't have a lot of fun doing it. Now that you mention it though, I have seen commercials that might well have been made with Poser. Doing comics with it sounds like a good idea - one more thing for my 'to do' list I guess [heh] Well, this gives me a bit of an idea - up until I logged on here about a week ago I had never been on a Poser forum of any sort and had never seen stuff for Poser or others who used it so I've been fairly sheltered I guess. It's nice to see what others are doing. It gives me a sense of being part of something more than just me and my computer.

Hi I am creating a 60 mins of 3d movie. All the characters are made and animated in poser. This is the first episode of a serie, that should be sponsored. ZORG Some preview: www.epiciworld.it

I use it for the base of illustration work, plus to make clip art and icons and various other digital images. I do it commercially as well as for my personal enjoyment. I don't do animations at all, it's just not my thing. I'm primarily a 2D artist. bonni

Mostly just fiddle around in it, with a pricetag of $70 for the last upgrade it's hardly more expensive than a PS2 game and has a lot more replay value. Every once and a while that fiddlin proiduces a likable image, something you won't get out of a PS2 :)

What sort of genre? I'll go and check out the preview.

Seems other were posting as I was - my question about genre was directed to Zorg. I guess Poser is like a super artist manicen - makes sense to use it to provide a base for illustrations.

Something to kill time with when there isn't anything good on TV.

I mainly use Poser for cheezy, sexist pinups!! ;) But am also working on an animated short based on Silent Hill 2. (an uber creepy, scary, twisted survival horror PS2 game!) Hey Boreth, there's been a LOT of really good PS2 games out recently... DMC3, MGS3, GT4, Tekken5, Heck even Obscure is pretty good!! Later! Gerard

Fazzel: "when there isn't anything good on TV" ... you must use it a LOT [heh] qhelmer: I have been suspecting that there might be a lot of that [the pin-up that is, grin] given the number of poser characters you can get with loads of ability to morph them to provide a wide range of body types, etc - which would seem just plan sensible if you want to be able to do animation with a wide range of characters, except that since the body morphs don't translate to the clothing, they are meaningless as soon as you put clothing on the model, therefore it seems clear that they are intended for creating nudes [not passing any judgements here, just an observation]. If one wants variety in non-nude characters one needs to have morphable clothing, not morphable models - well, except for the faces of course. I can appreciate the value of a wide range of nude models, though I can tell you I was disappointed when I first started working with Poser and discovered that the clothing didn't morph as well [heh] The animation based on Silent Hill sounds interesting. I've never played Silent Hill but I have seen a demo of it and I've always found that sort of thing interesting.

Agree with Geep and BillyGoat: fun, and hours of sheer play

And money. Im Renderoticas Featured Artist, I have paysite at EroticIllusions and I draw 3D comics and comissions. Actually I pay my Poser VISA bills with the bucks I earn with my Poser works :)

Message edited on: 04/27/2005 03:08

quoting me>>>>"I mainly use Poser for cheezy, sexist pinups!! ;)" Most of my PinUps are clothed, a few nudes. My gallery here is pretty tame! Poser (especially 6) rocks!! It's a fun hobby and a great (albeit sometimes too much so) time-waster! I mean time stealer... Start working on something before bed and you finish your final render and look up and the sun's coming up!! ;) G

I use it for FUN. I do create scenes for my family when they need a specific image but even that is for fun.

I also started creating small images that will be made into puzzles (you play on computer) that will be sold at http://www.webetiser.de/puzzles

But although Rainer (CEO) is offering 40% of all the kits sold using our images (if you are interested, contact him), I settled for getting all the kits he will create using my images for free because once I start getting paid for something I do in Poser, it will stop being fun. And once it stops being fun, I will have to stop using it because it would put too much stress on me and I can't handle stress (that's why I am retired for medical reasons).

France

Francemi: I can relate [I don't need any extra stress in my life either] and I definately wouldn't want Poser to become a job for me - it is and will remain a hobby - but I can deal with a hobby that happens to make money, as long as it didn't mean I was working for someone doing their projects on their schedual. But if I do something and someone likes it enough to offer me money - well, extra money isn't something I can refuse [heh]

FireMonkey: Yes, of course, it is the schedule that brings stress. But the "jobs" that don't have a schedule are very rare. And if I don't get paid, nobody can ask for a quota from me so I am free to do as much or as little as I want to or feel like doing. ;o)

I use it because I want to.... I could quit any time.... I don't -need- it!.... ;)

liar! loll

FireMonkey: My movie, EPICImovie, talk about me. ;) It is home made. I live with 11 pcs. :> I am testing a technique to make low budget movies, at home. The movie is part of a biggest project, EPICImovie. I am doing first episode, the other will be made from online 3d CG artists. ZORG

Francemi: Yes, funny thing about bosses wanting things done when it is convenient for them. Good reason why I don't have a boss [which might also explain why I don't have any money - heh] Actually, I'm also retired [which means I'm tired all over again] but I just work on my art and animation because I love doing it and maybe when I'm done, someone might throw money at me and if so, I'll be surprized but not wanting to be impolite, I'll accept. Like you however, I wouldn't do it for money [accept money yes, do it with the intent of getting money, no] RedHawk: I believe you - just like me and coffee - I don't NEED 2 pots a day, I can stop whenever I please ... I just haven't pleased yet, that's all. Zorg: that's something I'd love to see happen - people doing movies at home with little money. There would be a lot of junk I'm sure, but also a lot of hidden gems from people who would never get a chance any other way.

Fazzel: "when there isn't anything good on TV" ... you must use it a LOT [heh] Firemonkey, I find I am using Poser more and more as time goes on.

I can imagine [heh]

why..to populate my Bryce scenes, of course..;) though lately I've been making Bryce backgrounds for Poser scenes..one hand washes the other..;)

Illustration work (for fun, not profit).

I'm using it right now for anatomyrefrence for artwork/comics ...

It's a hobby..and expensive one!!! What I make I give away to the PSP Community for use in their tags and sig art.

Acadia, I do that too with my renders sometimes but when you say it is an expensive hobby, it is true but not more than golf for instance. And we can play with it all year round. I know some people live in areas where they can play golf all year round but it is not the case here. ;o)

Francemi: For shame! Golf is not a hobby - it's a religion [heh] well, at least it is with the golfers I know. I used to live in Quebec many years ago and we drove weekly from Ste. Jean to Greenfield Park [south shore from Montreal] and along the way we passed several golf courses and I used to see people out in the dead of winter, walking in deep snow and using bright orange golf balls. Didn't matter the weather or time of year. [heh] Poser doesn't HAVE to be expensive ... I have my trusty Poser 4.0, no upgrades, and a couple books that people gave me for christmas and now Wings3D to help me build props, etc, and it has served me well - the only real cost was the origenal program.... [yeah, and if you think I wouldn't be buying a thousand other things if I had the cash....... grin]

I started out using to create wrestler images for my website www.wynnresources.com. But, lately I've been working on a lot of other types of things, pinups, fairy pictures, whatever strikes my fancy. I've been doing this a while, but I know my limitations.

FireMonkey: if golf is a religion for golfers then I guess Poser is a religion for Poserers? ;o)

and I always thought it was 'a good walk ruined'..;)

Francemi: For some at least I'm sure [heh] and for others it's an obsession [he says after spending the last 6 hours working on about 3 seconds of fight scene - so much time to create and then it wipes by so fast - hehehe] pakled: you mean there are still golfers that walk? I thought they rode around on those nifty golfcarts. [grin]

I used poser for this comicpage ... http://www.udgang99.dk/misc%20seq/misc_seq_02.html

Lotsa things. :) I do a twice weekly comic series (www.exodus.virtualgeneration.co.uk) and plenty of still images which I put up on an online gallery (www.virtualgeneration.co.uk/gallery.html) I do earn a little money occasionally though - doing commissions for people. It doesn't bring in much money, but easily covers my web hosting costs and most of my Poser purchases from DAZ and Renderosity. I don't think I'd like to do it for a living though. When I was a freelance artist I found I really didn't enjoy drawing and painting to order. Being a professional "Poser" person would probably spoil it for me. :(

Naladae: I can understand that - I couldn't see myself doing art to order - the art I do comes to me and I create whatever happens to come, I wouldn't want to have to do art to someone else's specs. For me, art is an expression of whatever is inside me. I'm not even sure I could do art 'on demand'.

Want to stifle my creativity? Give me gross details about what you want when asking me to make you a graphic, LOL I work much better when I have creative control, or at least a lot of leeway to be creative. I learned a long time ago to say "no!" to those who have a picture in their head and want me to recreate it for them exactly as "they see it". I can't get into someone's head, and it's only a lesson in frustration to even try. Working with someone who has an idea or a concept is one thing, but when someone has it down to a photograph in their heads that's another...and that's a place I no longer travel.

I got into Poser when I was recovering from a broken leg. I can draw a little, and I've taken a lot of photographs. Poser, to me, is another way of getting those images out of my brain and into a form other people can look at. I've not produced anything yet which I'd sell, but if I turn out something good enough I wouldn't have a problem taking your money. And a couple of people I know have suggested I put some of my art on show at an SF Convention.

Antonia: Go for it - people at SF cons will buy ANYTHING! and at just about any price. I think it's the sleep dep that does it [heh] I used to be heavily involved in cons - just remember - don't volunteer to help anybody with anything while there - if you see someone who needs some help, by all means help them, but do it unofficially. The moment you actually draw attention to the fact that you might help out with something, you'll not have a second to do your own thing for the rest of the con [and if anything goes wrong - it was always someone who volunteered that gets the blame - heh] it been years since the con I was at - a VCon, was #24? Well, it was at least 20 years ago I think, though I still talk with some people who are always involved with it. Acadia: I agree completely! Just tell them you're an artist, not a xerox. I believe in doing the art and then if it catches the fancy of someone, you can talk about any business you might be willing to conduct. As long as it wstarts with you doing a piece that YOU wanted to do. Art is nothing if not an expression of what is inside the artist. [well, at least that's my view] Oh, I noticed a person had posted an animated GIF in the gallery - now I'm not sure why, but for some reason I had assumed that you could only put stills in the gallery [guess it's because of other sites I used to go to a few years back who didn't like having animated stuff] - anyway, so I decided to grab a short bit of combat from the animation I'm working on - the GIF is not the same as an AVI, but it does give an idea at least. It's slowed down a bit because without sound and context, it just happens too fast - the actual animation is about 3.5 seconds long - just the beginning of the fight scene - and I reduced it to 27 frames and made a GIF ... had some troubles with the pallette but it's close to the original. I use poser to animate just characters and key props [ie, things that are being handled by the characters and would be a pain to add it later] and then I do a lot of post production so by the time I'm done, it's only about 50% Poser stuff and that 50% doesn't look much like Poser stuff [heh] Actually, I only know what Poser 4.0 does [I gather much changed since that came out] but the version I have just doesn't have the kind of feel that fits with my artistic vision - but having the people animated speeds up my vision a LOT. Anyway, I'll be posting that in about an hour [already u/l a picture today and the rules say only 1 free pic per day in the gallery] I think I'll be posting it in 2D Fantasy ... yes, I know Poser is a 3D program, but since I started animating using Photoshop to draw individual frames and what I do now is still basically the same look and feel [just done much quicker] the GIF seems to be more 2D gallery stuff ... if I post stuff that is mostly just rendered with little or no post production work, then I'll class it as 3D. Just a matter of how I see the stuff I do.

Well, I guess I spoke too soon - I tried to upload the GIF but it turned out that the size limit is 512K and the GIF was 900K [oops] and I don't think I can reduce this one down that much and still have something worth uploading. I shall give this some thought. In defiance [yeah right - whatever - heh] I did post an animated GIF, but it was done as a GIF and no Poser involvement. It's a burning coffee pot [done on the morning my coffee pot burst into flames - when the muses speak that loudly you have to listen]

Firemonkey, I've been to SF conventions. I've seen what folks buy, and what they'll pay. One of my pics got into the con newsletter at the Eastercon this year. But doing it with Poser (or other cgi), that's something new. People have been illustrating "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" with pen and paper for decades. But computer art?

Antonia: > But computer art? If not at a Science Fiction convention then where? Who could be a better market for computer art than SF fans?