Listen to what Randym77 says! Modelling clothing in 3D is not the way to start. It is difficult, time-consuming and requires you to learn a lot of arcane stuff that is not at all fun and has nothing to do with art.

I'd suggest you look up Dr. Geep on this website and browse his tutorials to get aquainted with Poser and what it can do. Then you'll be in a better position to decide whether you want Poser, Daz|Studio or some other package.

He has a tutorial on using Wings 3-D to make morph targets. (Morph targets change the standard look of a character to a custom one you've designed.) Definitely check that out. While you're still learning, you'd probably have a lot more fun and get a lot less frustrated creating morph targets for existing figures and clothes. It's an enjoyable way to learn how the tools work, see how others solve common problems in their modelling, and still get finished results that look good and are uniquely "your own".

Textures are a different matter and are actually pretty easy if you already know how to use a paint program. Download a bunch of the free ones here to see how it's done, then search free stuff for "SnowSultan". He makes seam guides for all the popular figures that will come in very handy when working on your own textures.

Textures are what you want to do makeup. Hair is a different matter. In some ways, you really need to be good at both modelling and texturing before you can do anything decent for hair. Save hair for last, but check out the freebies of Kozaburo in the mean time.

Finally, check out www.earthcurves.com (The site features artistic nudity, so don't click if that's not OK with you for any reason.) It shows some great examples of what can be done by a talented digital artist by combining Poser and 2-D painting techniques.

ENJOY! and welcome to our club. Just remember the sign over the door says "Abandon all pocket money and spare time, ye who enter here." ;-)

• Jimdoria  ~@>@