I was on a site and I came across the work of Posermatic. The look of his anime-style figures is what I aspire to create. Besides persistence and practice, does anyone have any idea of how to get that look? Particularly the facial features. I have pulled, tweaked, twisted, etc. and have not even been close. I am thinking that the model that I have is not the right starting point. Can you create that kind of work with the default models that come with Poser 7? Anything would be helpful.

If you want to see the specific work I am referring to, check this out:
http://www.contentparadise.com/us/user/mikidollsuit_scooter_for_miki_product_20210

I guess you have figured out that MIKI is a different model than the default characters in Poser.

Another option is the anime character Aiko, who has extensive support in the Rendo community. the basic figure is free for now....

Yeah, I kinda had a hunch that the James and Sydney figures were not the right foundation. I did download the Aiko model, but I haven't loaded it yet. i was considering getting the Miki figure as well. Even after that, I still am not sure how the facial features were created. The eyes, nose and mouth are the big things. I am not sure whether the magnet tool is what most pros use, or just the slider sets that you use in the face tab. Thanks for your response and input.

Most high end modellers that create characters for poser do it in modelling programs outside Poser, then import into Poser. About getting the right facial features, takes knowing how to model, and how to model and stylize human face.
I was at a local bookstore recently and saw that there are quite a few books available on how to draw anime characters. That's a good start. Once you can draw one, you can start learning how to model one in 3D.

I picked up quite a few of those books. I have been sketching like crazy! I from not sketching in years to having filled up a half of a sketchbook since this past weekend. I tried to transfer some of that to Poser and ... well, ... it just didn't work very well. I am new to Poser, so I know it'll take some time, but I just wanted to make sure I am at least going in the right direction.

AHA!  So you're not exactly a TOTAL noob

Sculpting faces is 3D does take a lot of practice... Some faces can be achieved with dial spinning within Poser, and some with brushes within Poser 7 (I hear) but ion most cases, those are too rudimentary for most fine work, of the kind where you want to sculpt a good look alike.
Lot of people tend to use zbrush for that kind of work, and few others. I use hexagon a lot, it too has morph brushes. Not quite as refined as Zbrush, but pretty decent for the price.

You might want to check out 3D modelling forum here on rendo too, there are several people there that specialize in character modelling... They may be able to help you even more.

Thank you very much for your time and suggestions. I have been eyeing Z-brush for some time. I may get it when I get my new Mac. The things I have seen come out of Z-Brush make me very envious. Would you happen to know of any place online where I can get workshops or tutorials for character creation? I have been on most of the main sites. Thank you again for your time. I will take more time to dive into this site and the forums to get the help and mentorship that I need. I have tons of ideas, but I now have to find the tools to make them reality.

Hmmm.... I don't know a lot of details specific to character creation, one thiong that someone asked me today was about polygon modelling from scratch, and I gave him a list of links with tutorials I like... I think those same ones have a lot of character modelling specific info.
http://www.3dtotal.com/
http://www.subdivisionmodeling.com/forums/index.php
http://forums.polyloop.net/
http://www.silo3d.com/forum/
http://www.3dbuzz.com/
http://forums.cgsociety.org/
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/index.php

And don't forget to go through the tutorials here on Rendo too, lots of great info there too.

I'm not so sure you could get the anime look from "standard" characters since the overall shapes are so different. Not saying that it's impossible, just improbable. In your case, I don't think spinning the dials will give you the results you're looking for. As mentioned, you could start from a character that is already "anime-like" such as Aiko / Hiro or MayaDoll. YOu could take a standard character and start slinging vertices in a modelling program and re-import the resulting *.obj as a morph or a full blown character, or you could create one from scratch using a modelling program, which would probably be the best solution for you since you have a full sketchbook.

1. Make the pupils and irises (irii?..;) the same color...black
2. Sword, at least as big as a surfboard
3. wild hair
4. Hiro, Aiko, Maya doll as mentioned (there's a Anime version of it...somewhere), and a host of others.
5. only the jaw moves (why do they call it Anime, when the object seems to have the characters move as little as possible?...;)
6. Underage (I know, creeps me out) people that are overdeveloped.

sorry, had to get that off my dime..;) We now return you to more helpful answers..;)

I wouldn't say Faye Valentine of Cowboy Bebop was underaged, overdeveloped really doesn't apply to her either, kind of suits her.

gotta love Faye Faye, although Ed was my fave

Also give a try on PiChi!
It is a figure based on P4child that comes with a Anime morph and Texture!

http://www.divshare.com/download/321268-8dd

for more info see the link :

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?message_id=2946131

Cool. Thanx for the resource! I'll check that one out.