" I think we might be flattering ourselves to think that we're reaching a large part of the Poser community."

You're preaching to the choir there. I've always maintained that this forum represents only a small fraction of the program's users and the advanced users here are yet another (smaller) subset.

"...why is gamma-correction considered a pro feature?"

I think I can sympathize with what you're saying in terms of wanting it to be available to everyone. That would meet the needs of those with the skills and motivation who just can't justify spending money on a Pro version. But they had to save some of the leather seats, walnut trim and Bose sound system for the deluxe model. You got air conditioning (i.e. mega content manager) so maybe next year’s model.

Part of the problem with 3D goes beyond money though. It has always been a techie field. If you look at publishing, video, even programming, the tech barriers have steadily been lowered to the point where the proverbial "anyone" can get into it. There has been little incentive to change that within a limited market. If anything, the "pros" are disinclined to see things get less complex.

Of course, the mantra is 'these things are just complicated...,' Within limits, I agree but the software industry has always been able to reduce or hide the complexity. Anyone who ever looked at the code to get a simple window on screen using C++ and then looked at VB or Delphi knows the paradigm. Do you give up some power and flexibility, yes. Do provide an incredible amount of power and flexibility to many more people just the same - absolutely. Daz, with their one click, anybody can be a 3D artist approach in some ways is carrying on that original Poser spirit. They've also spent a lot of time, IMO, thinking about the mass market and how to make their features easy to use.

I'm not carrying water for Daz. I've just started playing with DS3, but I'm impressed with the way things work. One can sniff at how it doesn't do this or that, but I think that misses the larger point. There's nothing wrong with adding features but if you only address that subset of a subset, is that a viable strategy long term? By all means, GC for everyone, but as long as the perception is that it is advanced or difficult then SM has less incentive to do that. If just ticking the box doesn't provide instant nirvana and the answers to basic practical questions require equations and graphs or Nvidia tech papers, then the plebes will stick to bread and circuses, the Visigoths will keep battering the walls and the Emperor will dream on of becoming the Maya king’s favorite consort.

To a great extent, Poser broke the mold for it's part of 3D - human figure rendering. It made 3D truly accessible for the hobbyist and casual user. Now, it is becoming more and more like the other applications. That’s cool as long as they don’t forget the girl who brought them to the dance.

“The comments in this thread by comparison have been much more diplomatic and considerate…”

And I suspect that in the back of our minds we all know why that is but I’ll keep it in the back of my mind.

“…its sad that so many here are treated like pariahs because they don’t use GC”

No one ever said or implied such a thing. Remember that Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia, and in alliance with Eastasia. Please return to your flat and watch the prolefeeds. Absolutely stunning render BTW.

 

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken