Hello Poser users. I'm looking into purchasing Poser and haven't decided which one - Poser Artist or P6. I've read the datasheets on Poser's website, but I'm new to 3D art and am unfamiliar with the differences and features. That said, any input that can be provided is appreciated. Thanks!

Message edited on: 06/04/2005 05:34

Poser Artist is Poser 4. So Poser 6 is a superior program, but more expensive.

Have you considered DAZ|Studio instead? It's free, at www.daz3d.com. It does almost everything Poser Artist does. You might want to start with that, just to see if you like it.

I would go with Poser 6 over Poser 4, unless you have a really old, slow computer. IME, these days you at least want Python capability, so you can run scripts like PhilC's Wardrobe Wizard. Poser 4 doesn't do Python, unfortunately.

Well, If you have decided to get yourself a 3D program specifically for human form, then Poser might be it. Poser 6 definitely. Poser artist is a bit outdated :) But I suggest you see DAZ studio once, its free, at www.daz3d.com. But if you are not specifically looking for human figure related stuff, I may suggest Truespace. And please also have a look at Wings 3d. Its free and quite good. But if you want Poser, go for Poser 6.

Thanks for the info. I downloaded DAZ Studio a while back and have been playing around with it. But it seems that Poser is the flagship of 3D figures and offers a bit more. What is "python" and "IME" that randym77 is talking about? Like I said, I'm new to the 3D world, so all these various tools that are out there, I'm learning. Thanks again

Poser 6 for sure! I know many will tell you get DAZ Studio instead because it's free, but that's about the only reason to get it. DAZ Studio compares to Poser 4 in features, but keep in mind that Poser 4 was developped ages ago. Poser 6 is lightyears ahead of DAZ Studio. the again DAZ just loves to created dinosaurs and pretend their highly developed creatures. Comparing D/S to Poser 6 or Bryce 5.5 to Vue 5 is just plain nonsense. There's no comparisment. Also keep in mind that you're new to 3D art. DAZ Studio hardly has any content with it, while Poser 6 has a lot. Poser 6 will give you a much better start then D/S, if you've got the money to spare.

From my point of view for an absolut beginner, Poser Artist will be the better choice. I certainly had give up working with Poser very soon if I had to start with Poser 5 oder 6. Sivana

Python is a scripting language. There are scripts that automate everything from turning lights off to creating clothing. IME = In My Experience.

DAZ|Studio can use almost all the content Poser can. Most of the free stuff out there is meant for Mike 3 and Vicky 3, DAZ's figures (because even Poser users who don't use DAZ|Studio use DAZ's figures).

I recommend D|S only because it's free. 3D is not for everyone. Might as well find out if it's for you before you spend a lot of money.

Don't be afraid of Poser 5 and 6. I basically started with Poser 5, and the only thing that's more complicated in P5 than in P4 is the Material Room. Poser 6 fixes that, by letting you use both the P4 and P5 methods for applying materials. You can use the simple version when you're starting out, then switch to the more advanced version when you're ready.

Personally I've found P6 to be just amazing. It's made me like the company again (I hated it for a long, long time after P5). I like it that in addition to all the new stuff, P6 has kept P5's advanced features, but added idiot buttons so that people like me can use them without having to mess around with complex settings. Of course, they've kept the ability to get your hands dirty under the hood too, for the experts who like such things. I can understand people making comparisons between P4 and Daz Studio (though even there I thought P4 was miles ahead of DS). But I really think P6 is in a class of its own. As an irrelevant PS, I think the default figures in P6 are the best yet. But I'm biased, because I think I've fallen in love with Jessica!

I'm very happy with P6, now that they've released that patch.

However, I'm not keen on Jessi. Her proportions are inhuman. Her head is so bulbous that it screws up the face room. And her arms are so weird. The upper arms are so short, and the forearms so long, you can't pose her naturally. I tried using her recently in an image of a woman holding a cat. I couldn't get Jessi's arms in the proper position. After hours of fiddling, I gave up. Put V3 in, and got her arms posed properly in about two minutes.

Sure, the content on Poser6 is certainly the best of Posers, but Im also not mad on Jessi and family. Im still using Vic and Mike. Sivana