I do see the point of people wanting to achieve realism in 3D, not everything can be captured with a photo camera. Kaibach raises a good point, there are quite a number of settings I can think of that will be hard to capture with a photo or film camera when it comes to the future of the past.

I can also see for example the advertising world using realism in 3D..... imagine the cost saved when you can use digital figures that do exactly what you want or need without having to pay them an hourly rate. Without the need of using all kinds of sets or locations.

But when it comes to Poser, I agree with pjz99, the majority has no clue what realism is all about and even when using IDL and other tools, they still produce barbie dolls and very recognizable 3D scenes, not even close to being real.

Personally, I'm not into realism at all. Even when I do create scenes that portray real life situations, I still do my best to make sure the render isn't realistic at all, but always has a toon look or distinguished 3d look. I've found that trying to achieve realism in 3D only takes away from the image and the message or idea you try to get accross. If I make something toony or recognizable 3D, people will focus on what the image is all about. If I try to achieve realism, people tend to look at the faults there are in trying to achieve the realism and forget about what the image is really trying to portray.

I do find realism in poser very distracting and personally it takes away the fun that are in poser rendered images. When browsing through the galleries I do find that the new IDL isn't an improvement at all, it takes away that particular look that poser always had and now it has (almost) become one of the rest. Most Poser 8 renders do not stand out anymore. The images could have just as well been rendered in Vue, Carrara, D/S or whatever. For most people that may be good, I don't know, but I think it's a pitty. What made Poser stand out from the rest is slowly going away.

Artwork and 3DToons items, create the perfect place for you toon and other figures!

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/bcs/index.php?vendor=23722

Due to the childish TOS changes, I'm not allowed to link to my other products outside of Rendo anymore :(

Food for thought.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk