Hail all. I'm a newbie using Poser, so forgive me for asking questions already answered. I'm having some fun making my characters by using the basic package and downloaded props and tools from other sites. But I've hit a snag which points to a more fundamental problem. Just how exactly does one make a brand new prop? For example, I'm trying to make a "Greek God" type character and was looking for sandals with calf straps. Having sorted through several pairs of 6" heels and superhero boots, I'm at a loss. So, how are all these props being made? For that matter, how do you make new clothing types (ie, character models so they'd conform)? I've been having limited success doing it with texture maps (ie, for superheroes), but for non-skin-tight clothes, it won't do. As an example, how would I make a trenchcoat that's open? I have someone's else's trenchcoat, but it's buttoned up. Finally, how tough is it to do customize faces? One problem with my chars is they tend to have the same "face" (albeit different expressions, colors, etc). One of the characters I have in my queue is supposed to be an old crone woman. How tough would that be? Thanks in advance.

Props are made with modelling programs: Amapi, Ray Dream, Cararra, Strata 3D, True Space, Cinema 4D, Lightwave, 3D Studio Max, Rhino, and many more. Programs like Amapi and Strata 3D have offered old versions for free on magazine cover CD's. Programs like Lightwave and 3D Studio Max go for almost $3000.

New clothing is made by modelling a peice of clothing in one of these programs and then turning it into a figure. Check in the tutorials section (linked on the top nav bar) for some more direction on this. The tutorials by Styxx and Nerd are your best bets.

For customized faces, you can make your own morphs using the magnets in Poser or in a seperate modelling program. Also, check out Morph World (http://morphs.bbay.com) for a bunch of ready-made morph targets for your characters.

Hope this helps.

Helps a great deal. OK, so they can't be made in Poser only; other tools (which I don't have :-( ) are needed. I'll check out the Morph site tonight. Thanks again!

There are some very nice 3D design tools out there that are free. Anim8or and 3D Canvas spring to mind off the top of my head, I'm sure there are others. Any one of them should be able to import/export a format Poser likes.

If, like me, you're not gonna spend six months learning a 3d modelling program to make a pair of sandals, you can produce clothing using poser alone. Find an object or prop in poser that's close to want you want. Use the grouping tool to select the areas you want to keep and export the results as an object. Map it in UV mapper and make a texture - magnets can help for some things but I find them a bit imprecise for my lowly skills. You should be able to produce a pair of sandals with this method from, say, two-sword's geta (for which I don't have the link right now but it's surely in the web ring below right) You'll also find an open trench coat at the Morphbay site at the link above.

Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! That finally made sense, just went and tried it with one of the men's shirts. Works great!! Now of course I won't get any sleep for another month playing with this. Did I say thank you? ~G~