I have Poser 7 and am thinking of using Poser 8. Is there anything that came out in Poser 8 or for Poser 8 that would make the task of creating clothing or armor easier than in 7? I'd really like to make some of my own original armor and clothing for my story characters.

Sure, off the top of my head I would say dependant parameters.

If you are think of modeling your own clothing, Poser is not the software to use.  Hexagon, 3DS Max, Wings3D, etc. are better suited for initial creating and use Poser to polish off the final produce.

Hello hborre.
Interesting you would suggest the products you did because I've been thinking for some time now to buy either 3DS Max or Maya.  I have for a few years been using Poser, Vue, Photoshop and a little bit of Cinema 4D.  I have made a few props with Cinema 4D but that product is not as well documented or supported as 3DS Max or Maya.

So, the big question is...Which one? 3DS Max or Maya based on what I am using now? I may make this a separate thread but I guess I'll ask it for now.

Oh sorry, I thought you asked if there was anything that came out of Poser 8 to make armor easier...I thought everyone knew that Poser isn't a 3d modeling program. 

Dependant parameters allows rigging of armor to make things follow other body part movements. So parts of armor will more closely follow other body part movements. Whereas before you had to make armor conforming which resulted in armor bending (not realistic) but now you can use dependant parameters. So armor follows other body part movements without the armor bending and looking unrealistic.

I am not a modeller but these get pretty much reference in many post.  There are some freebie which many others swear by.  Wing3D is one, the other is Blender.  Anim8 is a third that also comes to mind.  Maybe posting a separate thread might get a better response from those who do extensive modelling.