If you could, would you?

I mean for alot of people the Poser world consists of buying stuff and using it in their artwork.  Nowt wrong with this at all, but if you could make your own stuff, would you?

Personally i think the cloud of secrecy around making stuff just implies a fake level of difficulty which doesn't really exist.  What it does is keep people buying and generally in the dark about the actual process.

I'm not saying everything is a piece of cake, but there are certainly alot of things that can be made without too much fuss.

Personally making a great image is somethign that makes me feel happy, and boy it's even better when some of the content is mine too.  Makes me feel like I have contributed mroe to the process and gives me a sense of real ownership and achievement.

It certainly allows me to stamp my own style onto things :)

So the question is.

If you could, would you?

John

I can, and I do. ;-) To the point where, if whatever it is is simple enough, I don't bother searching around for one, but just make it myself. I'm not snobby about using other people's content - I'll always have to do that to some extent - but it does give some satisfaction to know that a scene is unique to me.

Quote - Personally i think the cloud of secrecy around making stuff just implies a fake level of difficulty which doesn't really exist.

If there's a cloud of secrecy, I haven't noticed it. You have to remember that Poser was not originally designed with add-on content in mind, which is why some of the processes for making it are still convoluted. When someone posts asking for a step-by-step tutorial on how to make conforming clothing, any reluctance to help is because of the amount of typing involved, not because it's secret. :)

I certainly would.

If I thought I were going to live forever.

It's not a matter of being capable of learning to do these things. It's a matter of allocating time. The older I get, the less of it I have. So I tend to search, find, and download/buy if I can.

If there were a particular image that needed something that was absolutely unavailable... I still probably wouldn't bother learning to make it. I only have enough time in my life to make so many images, and I'm not too attached to any one of my ideas that I feel I have to create one.

That being said, I might eventually get bored with making images, and move on to creating content. But it wouldn't be because I needed the items. It would be because I was bored with the process and wanted to do something new.

I have, and do.  Mostly though my modifications are done in UV Mapper Pro, rather than 3ds Max.  When it comes to constructing Rooms, Hallways, even Doors with Knobs, though, I tend to rely more on Poser Primitives rather than actual modeling aps.  Assembling prop primitives, parenting them, and then exporting them to wavefront object rather than building from scratch in Max.  I can, and have built in max, such things as ladder back chairs, and a Shaker Style table, and other sundry things.
dph

Quote - I can, and I do. ;-) To the point where, if whatever it is is simple enough, I don't bother searching around for one, but just make it myself. I'm not snobby about using other people's content - I'll always have to do that to some extent - but it does give some satisfaction to know that a scene is unique to me.

Quote - Personally i think the cloud of secrecy around making stuff just implies a fake level of difficulty which doesn't really exist.

If there's a cloud of secrecy, I haven't noticed it. You have to remember that Poser was not originally designed with add-on content in mind, which is why some of the processes for making it are still convoluted. When someone posts asking for a step-by-step tutorial on how to make conforming clothing, any reluctance to help is because of the amount of typing involved, not because it's secret. :)

Well Mr Bob

I realise that there is a great deal of info out there from people, such as youself, which get people going.  But I have personally found a wall which it is hard to get beyond.  I'm not bashing merchants or anything, I plan on being one myself before too long.  It is of course only human nature to protect your income.

I think however that if more people knew how to make their own content, they would get a greater feeling of goodness.  It may have an impact on sales, but I firmly believe a good, distictive product will sell no matter what.

John.

Quote - I certainly would.

If I thought I were going to live forever.

It's not a matter of being capable of learning to do these things. It's a matter of allocating time. The older I get, the less of it I have. So I tend to search, find, and download/buy if I can.

If there were a particular image that needed something that was absolutely unavailable... I still probably wouldn't bother learning to make it. I only have enough time in my life to make so many images, and I'm not too attached to any one of my ideas that I feel I have to create one.

That being said, I might eventually get bored with making images, and move on to creating content. But it wouldn't be because I needed the items. It would be because I was bored with the process and wanted to do something new.

Fair Enough :)

 I do too. It's a combination of a lot of things.. I rarely use things "as is."  For characters, I combine different faces and morphs from different characters packs to get what I want, and the skin from something else entirely..  I use a lot of my own clothing models, and I do a lot of custom morphs on things like hair to get just the style I want..

The beauty with poser is that not -everything- has to be done from scratch.

For me it's necessary to do things like these if I want the image to match the vision I have in my head.

see.. I've been making 95% of my stuff right from when I first got poser.
before I got poser I was modeling in trueSpace for a few years already so it was no big step..

Attached Link: http://www.drgeep.com/p4/p8block/p8block.htm

 I do TRY to create the stuff I really can't get, for free or as a purchase.  But I'm  not pro-level.  

Right now, making as much as I can is what gives me the most satisfaction. But I think it's the actual process of learning it and knowing how to do it that keeps me content for now, if that makes sense. I don't do renders much anymore...I do a little of this and a little of that, trying to learn them all so that someday I can.....? I don't know. Just so I know....lolol.

Laurie

I would, and hopefully within a short time I will be taking those steps.  It is great to have a bountiful selection of content to purchase and download, but I find there are situations where you cannot find just the right accessory to fit into your scene.  Some sort of working knowledge in modelling, texturing or rigging could remedy that void and give you greater satisfaction when you complete that project.  I'm all for it, it's just the learning curves.

The stone wall for me is the modeling software. I've tried several of them and just cannot wrap what's left of my mind around them. I can (and do) create things from primitives using magnets and  the poser morphing tool. I'm perfectly able to texture.

I agree that for me, the issue is time. When I'm in the middle of a project I have neither the time nor the inclination to stop for several days while I whip up a bit of content, especially when a few dollars and 3 or 4 mouseclicks will solve the problem much quicker.

The downside is, when I DO need something sophisticated, I can't make it. I've paid several hundred dollars to some of the modellers here to do custom work for me that I couldn't do myself. You know what? FINE. They do what they enhjoy doing... I do what I enjoy doing.

It works for me.

Quote - The stone wall for me is the modeling software. I've tried several of them and just cannot wrap what's left of my mind around them. I can (and do) create things from primitives using magnets and  the poser morphing tool. I'm perfectly able to texture.

I agree that for me, the issue is time. When I'm in the middle of a project I have neither the time nor the inclination to stop for several days while I whip up a bit of content, especially when a few dollars and 3 or 4 mouseclicks will solve the problem much quicker.

The downside is, when I DO need something sophisticated, I can't make it. I've paid several hundred dollars to some of the modellers here to do custom work for me that I couldn't do myself. You know what? FINE. They do what they enhjoy doing... I do what I enjoy doing.

It works for me.

I kinda get the time thing, I realise that people don't always have the time to stop to make something.  It is a tricky one for sure.

The choice of modeller is also a big question, what feels natural to some may feel alien to others.  As a bit of a trainer on the side it kinda makes life hard because there isn't a person out there that knows every single modelling app inside and out.  I can only train in what I know and make suggestions about what to look for in other packages.

As to the time it takes to make something, well I am sure you know that it depends on what you are making.  I'm not sure how long people would be prepared to spend in making something, before it was considered too long.

John.

Quote - But I think it's the actual process of learning it and knowing how to do it that keeps me content for now, if that makes sense. I don't do renders much anymore...

I'm with Laurie on this. I'm having just as much fun making stuff as I will when I eventually use it in a render, so for me the time taken is almost immaterial because it's all enjoyable. In fact, many of my freebies started life as things I made for a render - except in some cases the render never got done. :)

I realise this attitude may not suit everybody, of course. It used to annoy me when I had to break off assembling a scene to make some modelling adjustment, or a texture map or something - but now I take it all in my stride.

I'm too lazy & there's so much already done it's hard to find something that hasn't been made already.

I just want to keep learning so I don't become too much of a doddering old fool...before my time ;o). Learning keeps the mind sharp, right? I'll let you know if and when I think it's working...lol.

Laurie

Quote - I'm too lazy & there's so much already done it's hard to find something that hasn't been made already.

I'd like

a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater

Please :)

Attached Link: http://sharecg.com/v/55555/3D-CG-Models/one-eyed_one-horned_flyin_purple_people_eater

Just kidding. 

Quote - :lol:

Just kidding. 

Shame :) I was looking forward to seeing what one of them beaties looked like :)

Quote - > Quote - I'm too lazy & there's so much already done it's hard to find something that hasn't been made already.

I'd like

a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater

Please :)

no no
you want a Left-handed Fargle-snorker!

Quote - > Quote - > Quote - I'm too lazy & there's so much already done it's hard to find something that hasn't been made already.

I'd like

a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater

Please :)

no no
you want a Left-handed Fargle-snorker!

or a Frumoius Bandersnatch

Nah I'm feelin lazy today. :b_grin:

Actually, there was a one-eyed, one-horned, etc etc etc, but the site is long gone. I think I still have the model somewhere.

Most of my learning has come from taking on Wardrobe Wozard. Through it, I've been learning more about fall off zones and rigging, out of sheer necessity because the translations from one character to another are sometimes far from perfect, especially if, like me, you go from something made for a realistic character to a simpler toon-style one.

But it got me curious enough to take the resulting obj file into FormZ and knock it around a little, then use it as the reference object file for a cr2. The results have been pleasantly surprising.

I spend most of my time in a modeling app now. Modo. Started with Wings 3D then Silo and Shade. Silo I find a waste of time for lack of development and notification when and if it was updated. Shade is a good Poser modeler. Imports Pz3. So it really is the poser modeling room. It's strengths are the curves.

I got Hexagon free with Carrara Pro before DAZ bought it. Like Wings, I found it more to my liking. Dropped it for lack of development.

Which brings me to Modo. You will have to pry it out of my dead hands. No going back to anything else now.

I have writen a couple of popular tutorials for Hex and Shade. But I don't bother anymore. I've had too many merchants give me to much grief over trying to tell or show someone something that they want to over complicate and scare newbies off. I've even been told that you have stuggle to be any good and those that find doing something easy do shit work.

I would never higher someone that has to struggle at thier work.

So I model most of my stuff, have to for the customers that I deal with. No I don't have dreams of being a merchant for these communities. I still buy things now and then. Time vs money. If I have the time I model it myself.

 Well I can model a lot of what I want or need myself. But it's just not always I have the time or the energy to do so. Sometimes I have a picture in my mind that wants OUT and if I have to model a lot of things to do that.. the inspiration is gone by the time I'm done modelling...

So I can and I sometimes do. But more often.. I don't. It all depends. Also I don't think there's any reason for inventing the wheel twice... if someone else has already made it.. why should I waste time to do the same? (if the first model fits my needs of course)

When I grow up I want to be as good as LaurieA...;)
I put something I've modeled in every pic (if it wasn't for putting in Victorias, and learning texturing and lighting), no one would look at them...;)

Been modeling from Strata 3d to Bryce to Anim8tor to Wings 3d to Hexagon (still in baby steps there)...'sides, I can't afford to buy anything anyways...;)

Like Trekkie, if someone else has already made it, I'm happy to buy that.  But, I've found that my tastes diverge from the prevailing haute couture of Poserdom, so I began modeling in order to have content which suits my interests.

Quote - When I grow up I want to be as good as LaurieA...;)
I put something I've modeled in every pic (if it wasn't for putting in Victorias, and learning texturing and lighting), no one would look at them...;)

Been modeling from Strata 3d to Bryce to Anim8tor to Wings 3d to Hexagon (still in baby steps there)...'sides, I can't afford to buy anything anyways...;)

OMG...are you serious? I don't know diddly...lmao.

Laurie

If you hung out in the chat with all the cool people,  ;)  you'd meet people there who actually make stuff.  I'm in the process of making my first conforming clothing set.  Dunno if I'll ever get done or sell it, but at least I'm working on it.

I'm the only cool person in chat. Actually, that's because I'm usually the ONLY person in chat ;o).

Laurie

You must be missing us.

Quote - I've had too many merchants give me to much grief over trying to tell or show someone something that they want to over complicate and scare newbies off. I've even been told that you have stuggle to be any good and those that find doing something easy do shit work.

Don't get me started on arrogant merchants! Just having recently been scoffed at for "not knowing anything" when I was giving someone a bit of advice, I know just how you feel. I've made my own morphs in Zbrush, Modeled some in Cararra & Bryce, Textured some of the older meshes in Photoshop, created my own clothing both dynamic and conforming, distributed a few decent Dynamic Hair props, some of which actually sold here, but no. I don't know nothing! I've only been doing this shit since 1998. Just because I'm not taking people's money doesn't mean I don't know a few things about this stuff.

I don't see a problem with people wanting to learn how to model their own things. I don't see much of a problem with people who don't either ;o). The only thing that I see is that I see all the same outfits, characters, whatever in the galleries. It makes me not want to look at the gallery. But I do understand that some folks simply just want to render something and not really want to learn to make every single thing that's in the scene ;o). Those folks don't need my approval, nor should they if it makes them happy. For me, it was important to make at least a texture - something in the image that I did myself. But I ain't everybody...lol.

I don't understand why a merchant would want to keep someone from learning to model tho if that's what they want to do. It just sounds to me like they feel threatened that 1. Someone might actually make something better than they do and become a competitor, or 2. That people will (for shame!) buy less and put more of their own stuff in a render. As for people that don't sell making crap: well, let me just say I totally disagree. Not everyone is out to make money at this. It has nothing to do with talent or a lack thereof. And everyone is crap when they first start learning...lol. It's a process just like anything else. You become much better over time. I can think of at least one past vendor who was not very good when I first came to these forums in 1999, but after a few years was damn good :o). A lot of us are using clothing and figures he made, past and present.

Laurie

I do model a little, but what I really like to do is play wardrobe wizard (no offence, Phil) to make clothing fit my morphed figures, particularly clothing that has weird or high-res, convoluted geometry. It gives me a chance to have a good look at mesh (in order to learn from it) but I just love pushing verts around, particularly in proportional edit mode.
I do love playing in Blender... the programme hold so much fascination for me. You can do such incredible magic with it. For me, it's an extention of Poser.
Mind you, I already have an embarrassment of riches in terms of clothing and hair and shoes I haven't even unzipped!

I am so grateful for their database feature that goes: "Whoops, did you realise [moron] that you've already purchased this before?"

Quote - As for people that don't sell making crap: well, let me just say I totally disagree.

And I agree with your disagreement. People who make stuff for fun have more time to put into their work - they don't have to worry about not having something ready "soon". That means they can get things right no matter what it takes, add cool features, and so on. The best free stuff is easily the equal of the best marketplace stuff. That's all I'll say on that. ;)

Quote - I am so grateful for their database feature that goes: "Whoops, did you realise [moron] that you've already purchased this before?"

:lol:

And the freestuff equivalent - the Windows dialog that pops up and says "File xyz.zip already exists - do you want to overwrite it?" :)