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