Attached Link: Rod's Lair

By way of introduction... My name is Rod, and I just wanted to say hello!

Years ago, I played around a little bit with Poser 4 (It wasn't mine, so I didn't get to learn a lot about using it) and thought it was a nice toy. Some time after that, I saw some examples of things done with Poser, and was quite impressed.

Fast forward to 2009 - After an email from SmithMicro with a discounted price for Poser 8, I decided to see what info about it was out there in cyberspace - time for Google. After finding Renderosity, and after picking my jaw up off the floor when I saw some of the fantastic art created with Poser, I purchased and downloaded it (I D/L'd Daz3D as well).

To make a long story short(er), I am a newbie to this 3-D stuff, and right now, I am in a state of mental meltdown trying to sort all this stuff out. I've done a couple simple renders, just playing around with Poser. I'm working through some of the tutorials as well. I'm sorting out trying to learn a new language (runtimes, and bump morphs, and meshes, oh my!). I really don't know enough yet to ask a meaningful question. But rest assured, I probably will - and I hope they won't be too stupid.

I have been using Phtotshop 7 for some time to create my art. I'm still learning things about it almost every time I use it. I enjoy the fantasy genre, and hope to take some of my characters to a new level once I learn something about this brave new 3D world. There are some incredible artists on this site, and I hope to learn a thing or three (thousand) here.

Thanks,
Rod Shelley

Hi Rod :)
Welcome to Poser ... and DAZ Studio. Lots of fun...
I'm sure you will get your questions answered here. There are a lot of veteran Poser users at Rendo :)

Welcome Rod!  I hope you enjoy Poser-land.  If I can be of help, just let me know. My site has a list of good resources for 3d newbies (see right-hand column of links to freebies).  Renderosity has a nice list of freebies.  You might also check out sharecg.com, daz3d.com and contentparadise.com.

Welcome!

I'm a veteran Poser user (10 years now at the least) and I still know next to nothing...lol.

BTW, there's no such thing as a stupid question ;o).

Laurie

Hello :)

Quote - I am in a state of mental meltdown trying to sort all this stuff out.

Welcome to the Poser world Ron.  After you get over the bumps of learning, you'll be able to sign up for the Poser Addiction class down the hall. LOL.

But seriously your situation is very similar to mine. I had extreme difficulty when I first started learning Poser (many many years ago).  My problem was that I wanted to create beautiful art like I saw online and I kept trying to jump steps.  Maybe this will help you out.

1. Learn the basics, moving the lights around, clicking render.
2. Understand that a lot of the good looking art that you see may have also been edited (postworked).
3. Pick one thing that you want to learn for the week and learn it.
4. Keep it simple.

I have some tutorials on my site Poser By Design that keeps things simple, because I remember what it was like when I first started.  Another good thing is to ask artist how they create their Poser Art.  Asking other artist will make things a little easier.  Once you get a few nice renders then you'll be hooked.

Frederick
Poser By Design

 Welcome Rod, you say you also downloaded Daz studio....I have to say working and learning both can be mind boggling, I would pick one to really get to know and dabble with the other...it is hard to learn both because they are really different interfaces.  But which ever way you go, have fun with it and welcome again.  Sharen

 Hello Rod! And Welcome to R'ostiy! 

I'm a sorta seasoned Poser user, been using it (with a few breaks) since 1999, and even after 10 years with the program there are things that will make you go "Oh is THAT possible?!"

The basics are fairly easily learned. Just don't be afraid to poke and prod around. Try the various buttons and see what they do. At least that's what works for me. I've never been a "manuals" peep - I learn much better hands on.

Back when Poser 5 was all the rage, I made a Beginner's Tutorial. Of course the interface and all looks a little different now, but you're welcome to take a look at it. I guess I should update that tut to Poser 8 L Time flies... (you can find it by clicking in my signature where it says My Site - there's quite a lot of freebies there, too ;)

One thing most beginners are confused when downloading freebies and buying new content is - "It said New Character" - but nothing happens when I click it." - and then it's really just a morph (new face setting)  and texture for some model you haven't yet bought.

Since you're already familiar with Daz3D - That's the website btw, their program is called Daz Studio - you should consider buying Victoria 4 (and Michael 4 if you want a male counterpart) as they are the ultimately most used figures in Poserdom.

Of course, Poser 8 comes with quite a wide range of people, be sure to check the folders in the Legacy Content, assuming you've downloaded it (if you haven't, you should!) - some of the characters can look a little scary right out of the box, but they benefit nicely from a little morphing (try turning the dials or - except for the Poser 4 characters - take them through the face room for an easy change of features)
That will give you a starting point without spending a lot of extra money. Then when you've got the basics right, you can get Vickie and Mike :)

The most important thing is: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK.

And do not be afraid to use the Search Option here either :) Most questions have probably been asked at some point in the past - but admittedly, the search here is.. a little odd, so if you can't find an answer, try asking. We won't bite ^_^ 

Welcome to Poser (and Renderosity).

Welcome.  The mental meltdown will help greatly to get you through this insane world.

Attached Link: Rod's Lair

Well, seeing as how I have only a half-dozen or so functioning brain cells left, I should pull through just fine ;-)

Thanks, all, for the warm welcome, and sage advice! I agree keeping it simple and going step by step as suggested is the best way, and the way I'll try hard to muddle my way through despite my tendency to seek instant gratification. I'll concentrate on Poser, and tackle DAZ a little later. I paid a little more for Poser!

For now, I'm going to use the info in these forums to learn a bit, play with Poser, and get to a point where I know enough to ask a meaningful question - something besides 'how the heck does this thing work?'

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Rod

Well you're in good company Rod. Welcome from another Missouri boy here in Saint Louis and welcome to your new addiction.

and with that, I'm going to bed. Goodnight Chet ..goodnight David.

And when people go to bed, the rodents come out to play..

I have no idea about anything about Poser or any sort of Graphics... :unsure:

But if you ask me (or give me Cheese ), I will try to help!

(some people here have a warped sense of humor, so take them with a grain of salt :biggrin: )

I think that is a record for me and smilies... :closedeyes:

GOOD MORNING :)

Well, John, I was gong to buy P8 this morning, but my paycheck was short by $200, so its going to have to wait.

However .... I can still assist this new guy, Rod, with a few questions, you know, easy ones, like "where did all my money go" ? and "what do you mean I spent $400 this month on Poser stuff "? And, I haven't had any sleep in two weeks ... doesn't this Poser program ever crash "? (well, that one was fantasy)

you might want to read through the basics tutorials over here

http://www.ebonshire.net/info/tuts-index.php

Quote - GOOD MORNING :)

Well, John, I was gong to buy P8 this morning, but my paycheck was short by $200, so its going to have to wait.

However .... I can still assist this new guy, Rod, with a few questions, you know, easy ones, like "where did all my money go" ? and "what do you mean I spent $400 this month on Poser stuff "? And, I haven't had any sleep in two weeks ... doesn't this Poser program ever crash "? (well, that one was fantasy)

Afternoon!  You know you are not suppose to even mention the fact you can answer those questions until they post the utter shock of their first months CC Bill! 

Seriously, other than free items and maybe something special that you need for a project, I would hold off on any buying sprees until you figure out what you need and figure out what you need to work withthe products...

Things like if you like an outfit, but it is for another figure, you may want to first try running it through Wardrobe Wizard. If you like a Character and Texture, but have to buy the figure and several Morph packages, you may not like that character so much!

Attached Link: http://market.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2780067

Here is the link for the good Doctor's web site ... this is a must for all Poser users
http://www.drgeep.com/