The problem is that people on both sides of the fence constantly mix up "art" with "craftmanship".

While you can make real "art" with (any version of) Poser, it is undeniable that modelling, mapping, texturing and rigging meshes from scratch takes more TECHNICAL SKILLS than buying Vicky3 and a character pack.

The "but we do composition work instead" argument is invalid, because the MAX/MAYA folks have to do this, too, ON TOP of the modeling work they already did.

The "originality" argument may or may be not valid, as on the one hand you can heavily morph any given mesh in Poser, and on the other hand even if you have the technical skills to create a mesh from scratch in MAX, it doesnt mean that you arent just copying somone elses work or idea.

But we Poser users must admit that many renders show V3s or M3s that are not morphed beyond recognition and that many works only differ in details, so there is an impression of arbitrariness to the outside observer.

But again, there is a lot of "kitsch" or "soft porn" among professional CGI, too. ^-^

Poser gave CGI "to the masses", so why taint this gift in order to adapt an elitist attitude ?

The only thing that counts is whether youre happy with your render or not, not what anyone else thinks about that.

stahlratte