So when I was active AO was all the rage and it was what everyone talked about non-stop.

Now apparently it is weight mapping.  I'm seeing it all over the forums.  I suppose there are probably tutorials out there that go over it, but I think I would get a better understanding from regular users.

At a cursory glance, this has something to do with bending.  Well that's good, because in the past some bending has been just horrible.  

I guess my new Poser has some ability in this regard.  Neato, something else to learn lol.

I'm really interested to understand the ins and outs of it.  What it is, what it is used for, why it is used, is it really the new sliced bread?  

It really is the "newest thing since sliced bread," simply because the bending you speak of is immensly different that what we are use to. 

I'd suggest you go grab the free V4WM and/or Antonia WM at RDNA and see for yourself.  Prepare to be thrilled.

http://www.runtimedna.com/Weight-Mapped-V4/

http://www.runtimedna.com/Antonia-Polygon-Weight-Mapped.html

And, while you're there, grab the Outfitter.  This is a python script for converting your existing clothing to weight mapped version.

http://www.runtimedna.com/Outfitter.html

By way of explanation, the best one available is SM's introduction video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t3BUBV22u8

if you have the latest poser, the Dregon and Alyson 2 figures are weightmapped.  basically, it lets you set a bending weight at the polygon level.  kewl stuff

I invite you to load Alyson and Alyson 2 on the same scene, load the same pose for both, and compare the bending, you'll see a considerably difference. 

wm Miki 3 was rumoured to be out this year

I think teyon is working on her, but it will be released as MIki 4 and will have some other differences from Miki 3.   Possibly grouping, but dont quote me on it

Quote - So when I was active AO was all the rage and it was what everyone talked about non-stop.

Now apparently it is weight mapping.  I'm seeing it all over the forums.  I suppose there are probably tutorials out there that go over it, but I think I would get a better understanding from regular users.

At a cursory glance, this has something to do with bending.  Well that's good, because in the past some bending has been just horrible.  

I guess my new Poser has some ability in this regard.  Neato, something else to learn lol.

I'm really interested to understand the ins and outs of it.  What it is, what it is used for, why it is used, is it really the new sliced bread?  

Well, it's the old sliced bread in any other 3D application, but it finally made it's way to the one app where human figure rigging is the primary focus.  Weight mapping isn't a new concept by any means, it's been around in the so-called "high end" apps for many years, and in simplest terms, it allows you to pose your figure much more naturally, without running the risk of screwing up the mesh (ie., breaking joints, etc.).  Vicki's armpits, for example, will not need to be postworked to look like a real human being anymore.  With weight mapping, you can pose her arms down to her sides, and her armpits no longer will cut up into her shoulders. ;)

Like yourself, I've been away from Poser for a while.  Seriously liking the new features I'm seeing, and may actually upgrade from the version I currently have, which is... pathetically enough... P6.

If you know how to work with the morph brush, you know how to use weightmapping.
it allows you to give specific bending strenght to each vertice.

You control the force ( visible as colors from green over yellow to red.)

Follow the video at youtube then load a simple figure with very bad joints.
Use the Poser2 female for that.

load her, and put the upper arm down. You wil see that the mesh does the strangest things in the armpit area.

Now create a weightmap for the bend joint as shown in the vid.
And for starters, bend the arm at 45° down.
Now see the colors of the joint?

Move your mouse over the colored area.
Try the different settings of pull, push, smooth, brush sizes ans strenght.
Experiment, and you will soon be on your way.

You can use the dial in the joint window or n the parameters palette to raise and lower the arm through its full range while corecting the joint using the weightmap.

I used this Poser2 woman figure in my example shown at RDNA at the release of Poser9/PP2012.

PP2012 can create weightmaps on any joint of any figure, old new.
Poser9 can NOT create weightmaps but can use them. => Weightmapped figures will work in Poser9 also.

@max

Weightmapping can "repair" lots of things.

it allows for far less morphs to get the mesh right around the joints.
It allows (when properly done) flesh movement controlled by the joint.
Like, sagging thights when a figure sits down, biceps under tention, moving breasts and others.

i used to morph a lot of these, and use weightmapping now as it is internally in Poser and so easy to work with and controllability is fantastic.

But?? Experiment with old and realy bad rigged figures like the Poser 1 or Poser2 family figures; male or female.
The results are eye-opening and make you a weightmap believer. :-)

Tip to get better results:
you can add more groups to a particular joint.
In this case you can add collar and / or chest if you need them :-)

Thank you Maxxxx, that is informative.  I have a better idea now :)

Vilters - you are awesome!  Thanks again!  

Quote - Thank you Maxxxx, that is informative.  I have a better idea now :)

No prob.  So I decided to go ahead and purchase Poser 2012 this weekend.  Now my days of living in the Poser "dark ages" is coming to an end.  Actually, I also invested in Reality 2.0 for Daz|Studio, purchased a new high-end Nvidia graphics card, so I can take advantage of Luxrender's GPU assisted rendering with OpenCL, and will soon be selling my only son to the devil so I could pay my bills, because now I'm officially broke.  Ah, life is good. ;)

Quote - > Quote - Thank you Maxxxx, that is informative.  I have a better idea now :)

No prob.  So I decided to go ahead and purchase Poser 2012 this weekend.  Now my days of living in the Poser "dark ages" is coming to an end.  Actually, I also invested in Reality 2.0 for Daz|Studio, purchased a new high-end Nvidia graphics card, so I can take advantage of Luxrender's GPU assisted rendering with OpenCL, and will soon be selling my only son to the devil so I could pay my bills, because now I'm officially broke.  Ah, life is good. ;)

Since you have updated Poser, be sure to grab Pose2Lux; free download...

http://snarlygribbly.org/3d/forum/viewforum.php?f=9

Quote -
Since you have updated Poser, be sure to grab Pose2Lux; free download...

http://snarlygribbly.org/3d/forum/viewforum.php?f=9

Yep, been wanting to check that out too.  Thanks.

lol Enjoy coming out of the dark.  I'm tip toeing :)