BadKittehCo's photo clearly demonstrates-at least to me-the validity of the criticism that most Poser compatible figures are incorrectly proportioned and crudely rigged. While physical invariance in the real world is certainly a fact, I've never seen a human being with a neck that long and elastic. On the other hand, I freely admit that the people who labor so hard to create these figures for us and offer them at such low prices deserve our thanks and admiration for their wonderful creative skills. For that reason, I'm going to stick out my relatively short, stubby neck and venture the opinion that part of the problem under discussion here is the Poser using communities responsibility, and not the fault of those evil money grubbing merchants. Before you kick my bum across the room, allow me to clarify that assertion as best I can.

Poser compatible figures are offered at extremely low clearance sale prices, and Daz's base units are given away free. Now do a bit of research and compare those costs to what users of other 3D programs pay for models.....and be prepared for a case of terminal sticker shock. We're often talking several hundred dollars. Like it or not, you get what you pay for.

If you have ever attempted to create a 3D figure of a human being, you know what a frustrating, hideously laborious and tedious project it can be. I've tried more than once, and have yet to come close to producing anything that wouldn't cause you to do anything besides bust a gut laughing. I've always found rigging to be so daunting that I've just about decided to relegate it the black arts, along with global economics and a thorough understanding of female psychology.

My point is that we get what we pay for. How much would you be willing to spend for a vastly improved model that didn't suffer from the faults we're debating here? Two hundred dollars? I'm in the same financial situation as most of you in these forums, struggling from month to month to keep my head above water and put a little money in savings, but I'd be willing to purchase a realistic, properly rigged and jointed figure for that price, or even a bit more. When I think of how much use I've gotten out of Victoria 3 compared to what she cost me, it almost makes me feel guilty. True, she has some serious faults, but a lot of those are due to the technical limitations of computer hardware in use at the time of her release. Perhaps professional designers and distributors should now seriously up the standards for their products, and for us to to open our wallets a little wider. Sure, the hit to our disposable incomes will mean fewer dinners at Buca di Beppo*, but maybe it's worth the sacrifice.

*Actually, I prefer White Castle, but I'm an uncultured heathen.