Quote - Well replied Carodan... Incidently, I have a great respect for your work and participation in this community, I hope it did not appear otherwise.

Oh, not at all, and thanks. I don't always let that side of me emerge in public as it can come across as too serious for most. I have gaping holes in my approach to art and they need challenging.

Quote - I hate money I would kill it if I could.

:)

Quote - This thread has been an interesting read for me.  I've recently come back to an old copy of Poser 6 I had and am relearning how it works (planning to upgrade to Poser Pro eventually).  While I want to do some photorealistic renders, in part just because right now I don't believe I have the skill level to do so and want to have that in my "bag" so to speak; I'm also interested in more artistic images that are closer to paintings in their final finish.  In particular I like the luminous qualities of old oil paintings.  I think they have a warmth that is very appealing.  I'm far from duplicating that in my own images, and reading what I can find to help me along (not to mention 3 books I had on Poser 6).  Its good to know there are others who both enjoy that kind of style.  Gives me something else to aim for.

Welcome back.
Can't help ya with Realism.

If some one wanted me to make a render look like a old oil painting.

For special effects there's a lot of App's that can help.
Not saying you would need all these just bringing them to your attention.

Haven't use these.
Photoshop ,Filter forge.

Never tryed it but
Blender has some cool looking shaders.

zBrush has some killer shaders ,noise etc etc.
Topaz Laps some work with infanview.

Gimp.

An addition to Rorrkonn's list of suggestions (In regard to postwork goodies)...

Corel Painter is more geared to natural media effects than photoshop. A graphics tablet is a must for using Painter, though.

For Photoshop the Alienskin plug-in 'SnapArt' is pretty good for emulating various media from comics techniques to painterly effects.

For more versatile and controllable sketch style effects, the AkvisSketch plug-in for photoshop looks pretty good... haven't gotten it yet but it's not very expensive, definitely on my wishlist.

I have some some really nice Poser Sketch presets that I got from Animotions in their freestuff, made by an individual named ironbear. Not sure if its still available but, very useful.

My personal goal has been for years to create images that have a "painterly" or "drawn" feel to them. Like this one simple character illustration from my gallery:

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2155529&user_id=17697&np&np

Quote - For more versatile and controllable sketch style effects, the AkvisSketch plug-in for photoshop looks pretty good... haven't gotten it yet but it's not very expensive, definitely on my wishlist.

I used the stand-alone Akvis Sketch demo until it expired, and got some very pleasing results. I thought it was a more accurate and controllable simulation than the drawing effects in PostworkShop 1.1, for example. However I just spent my money on upgrading to PostworkShop 3 so Sketch will have to wait. :)  

I did one that was psotworked to look like a watercolour painting here... http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2337087&user_id=681237&member&np

It's rendered in Daz rather than Poser... but still is done as a painting rather than a typical render...

I also have this one which is actually a Poser render that I set up to look more like a painting than an actual realism render...

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2187586&user_id=681237&page=2&member&np

Thanks for the tips Rorr an Primorge.

I have Photoshop CS5 Ext, and ironically just got Filter Forge 3 today (been sitting here falling in love with it, does way more than I realized).

Still reading through the Poser 6 manual, plus Poser 6 Revealed and Practical Poser 6 (two other books I bought back when I originally got Poser 6) and learning more about how the lighting effects and material nodes work.  Making progress with it.

I think the image linked eariler, Chieftain's Daughter by Mel is pretty close to what I'd like to eventually be able to do.  Just have to develop my technical skill level.

Attached Link: Summer Pixie

Here's one of my post-work tests.  I posted both the original render and this and asked people's opinions.  They all liked the render better.  I like the art better.

12rounds : Cool gallery.

EnglishBob & Tarkhis : Rocken with ya new app's.
So what did you get me for Xmas ? LOL ,just kidding ,just kidding.

zBrush released 4R5 on 12 21 2012 ,LMAO I alt to make a Maya Render
Of some Maya's with bones threw there nose looking dumb founded as they
stare at a calendar that reads 12 22 2012 LOL.

CSChell : Cool Renders ,Poser ,Studio ,a pencil is a pencil.

Sandman_Max : Cool Render ,I do my Art for me ,if they like it cool ,if not ,that's cool to.
Can't give every one what they all want.

Different types of media all have their own aesthetic and when we can simulate these different media within, roughly, a single workflow, then the question is not what technique does this image require but what aesthetic? I guess I use all this stuff not because I'm any sort of artist but because I'm an odd sort of pragmatist when it comes to some things.

Outside of the Poser and perhaps the CG community as a whole, I do think that the natural media aesthetic is preferred - searching through forums about such diverse things from tarot cards (many commercial packs have used Poser) to book covers, again and again, folk recognise Poser renders and don't generally seem so keen on them. So from a commercial perspective, I do think that this kind of postwork/shader is something worth pursuing. When a friend asked me to come up with some book covers for him, he was very certain that he didn't want a 3D or photorealistic image. He wanted something both a little modern but with a nod to the pulps of the past. So, I sat down with Postworkshop and played until I came up with a style that he liked. (not that he pays me - but he is a good friend)

It is worth noting another advantage Poser/Studio users have with using this kind of Postwork over those using photographs. It's not enough to come up with an amazing node set up for Postworkshop (or Filterforge which I think also uses them), because what you get out still depends heavily on what you put in. PSW does allow you a little brush work to help but still, your render matters. And that means, above else, lighting. You need to get the right lighting and colours (which can all be managed a little further in post) and then you'll get the postwork you want. For my last image and most of the book covers for Milton have really needed bright flat lighting for the PSW style to do its thing the way I want.

*A cheap way of becoming intaxicated in the UK!

This has been a very interesting thread but with all too few good examples. The one I really did like was The Chieftan's Daughter by Justmel. Don't anyone know where there are more quality "Poser paintings" in that class? Please show me! (even if it is not your own artwork)

And Justmel, how did you do The Chieftan's Daughter?

?

Quote -  

This has been a very interesting thread but with all too few good examples. The one I really did like was The Chieftan's Daughter by Justmel. Don't anyone know where there are more quality "Poser paintings" in that class? Please show me! (even if it is not your own artwork)

And Justmel, how did you do The Chieftan's Daughter?

?

 

It's a beautiful image, love the feel to it.  Reminds me of the Orton effect (in Photoshop)- digital technique half way down the page.

http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0106/dw0106-1.html

ajay753, thank you for the tip of the Orton effect. It is a beautiful technique if you don't overdo it. I tried it on my latest upload (changed what was already uploaded :). Quite nice, could benefit from some chiaroscuro though..

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2393413&user_id=606316&member&np

I have a few...which I made using some Filter Forge filters

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2090255&user_id=80380&np&np

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2091102&user_id=80380&np&np

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2112135&user_id=80380&np&np

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2269611&user_id=80380&np&np

Quote -  

ajay753, thank you for the tip of the Orton effect. It is a beautiful technique if you don't overdo it. I tried it on my latest upload (changed what was already uploaded :). Quite nice, could benefit from some chiaroscuro though..

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2393413&user_id=606316&member&np

 

You're welcome. Yes, it looks too much when overdone I agree...thank God for layers/masks in Photoshop :-)   I like your image, great composition and Orton complements your scene nicely. Chiaroscuro...your dodge and burn tool will help.

Quote - I have a few...which I made using some Filter Forge filters

 

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2090255&user_id=80380&np&np

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2091102&user_id=80380&np&np

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2112135&user_id=80380&np&np

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2269611&user_id=80380&np&np

I particularly like your first one - great painterly feel to it.

"Yes, it looks too much when overdone I agree.."

And despite of what I just said, I did overdid it..sigh -it looks better now after I lessened the effect a little. Now onto the doge and burn tool! ;)

Quote - > Quote - I have a few...which I made using some Filter Forge filters

 

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2090255&user_id=80380&np&np

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2091102&user_id=80380&np&np

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2112135&user_id=80380&np&np

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2269611&user_id=80380&np&np

 

I particularly like your first one - great painterly feel to it.

Thank You :)

There are some very nice example images in this thread it's nice to see something different than the standard stuff that gets most of the attention in the galleries... :)

Not that the "standard" stuff is bad... they all have good images... but for me it just gets a bit "meh" after a while... I can only look at so many scantily dressed Vickies before the charm starts to wear off a bit... lol

Paul Francis :
Your off the shelf filter looks like something out of Heavy Metal :)

Rawnrr : Keep your pet on a leash so he don't eat my thread ;)

Vintorix :
Raiden.D has a good example of converting 3D in to 2D.

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?167492-Franz_WIP
2nd page he has a you tube ,how it was done.
Think Raiden.D would agree with Philebus about lights.

You can use shaders also.
http://www.pixologic.com/zbrush/features/ZBrush4R5/render-and-materials/
zBrush has a lot more shaders.
a lot will make multiple renders for 2D and 3D and layer them.

If you don't have lights n shaders that will do all this
ya can turn the 256 colors down to 16,32 some where low.
Looks like what Paul Francis did with The come with me.
Then ya could blend it with the blur brush.
paint over top it in a new layer.You could do this in Gimp.

One thing I've noticed painting will not be textured as much as renders.
All the cloths in the sistine chapel are solid colored clothes.

Think at times multiple renders ,layers and masking might be helpful.

Quote - EnglishBob & Tarkhis : Rocken with ya new app's.

So what did you get me for Xmas ? LOL ,just kidding ,just kidding.

What did I get you, ummm... ever seen that Postal commercial, guy wants to send an overnight box at the last minute.  Then the clerk asks where his package is, they guy looks around, grabs some pens an tosses them in the box...

Well....  Merry Xmas lol

Oh an I also stayed up half the night (til about 5 AM, at which point eye strain kind of put an end to it lol) playing with Filter Forge.  Came across one filter that did an interesting job of turning one of my renders into a sort of watercolor.

RorrKonn,

Thank you for the links, posterization in ZBrush 4R5 looks interesting. There are many styles and techniques myself I am drawn more to painterly styles than illustrations. Toon stuff is not my stuff rather Sumi-E.

Ditto on wanting to know how JustMel created that beautiful image.

My disclaimer I'm not trying to sound upity or better then any one else.
I've just been a around for a long time ,I'm trying to be helpful ,that's all.
I might not know just how some one made some thing but I'll know how to get the same effect.
Cause I've been a round a long time and I mess with all mediums and app's.

There's Different styles medium and so on.
Some work for my style ,some not so much.
I would not suggest drawing a skull with pastels.

If I see a peace of artwork and I don't know how to get that effect I'll experiment till I can.
Think I learned a lot over the decades that way.

I don't know the exact tools and techniques Justmel used.
But I would know how I would make a render look like that.

Ya could use a blureded layer like ajay753 showed us about.
turn the shine up on the metal with shaders.
maybe a touch of white in post.

there's a lot of diffrent ways.to get diffrent effects.
learn them all will make you a better Artist.

Don't know if I'll ever make comics like Raiden.D or SeanE
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/browse.php?user_id=23561
But I can still learn from them.

Quote - Don't know if I'll ever make comics like Raiden.D or SeanE
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/browse.php?user_id=23561
But I can still learn from them.

That's another good reason to say thanks for this thread; SeanE -yet another artist I've not seen before and who blows me away!

Quote -  

My disclaimer I'm not trying to sound upity or better then any one else.
I've just been a around for a long time ,I'm trying to be helpful ,that's all.
I might not know just how some one made some thing but I'll know how to get the same effect.
Cause I've been a round a long time and I mess with all mediums and app's.

There's Different styles medium and so on.
Some work for my style ,some not so much.
I would not suggest drawing a skull with pastels.

If I see a peace of artwork and I don't know how to get that effect I'll experiment till I can.
Think I learned a lot over the decades that way.

I don't know the exact tools and techniques Justmel used.
But I would know how I would make a render look like that.

Ya could use a blureded layer like ajay753 showed us about.
turn the shine up on the metal with shaders.
maybe a touch of white in post.

there's a lot of diffrent ways.to get diffrent effects.
learn them all will make you a better Artist.

Don't know if I'll ever make comics like Raiden.D or SeanE
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/browse.php?user_id=23561
But I can still learn from them.

Thanks for the link RorrKonn...Sean's gallery has some cracking images - "Joker" is fabulous and as is, of course, "Justice League of America". some great talent on here!

 Since I am most definitely NOT an artist, I can only comment as a viewer. I’ve always been fascinated with the potential for 3D to achieve graphic realism and I’m glad that Poser has made great strides in that direction over the years. At this point, I think that it has approached – and perhaps reached – the so called ‘uncanny valley.’ The best practitioners of the photorealist school can achieve results that are indeed impressive. At the same time, I do find that many of those images are somewhat unsatisfying emotionally. Once I get beyond admiration of the unquestionable technical expertise represented, there’s often a certain something that is missing.

I don’t have the artistic vocabulary to describe it in those terms. I can only say that I think the drawback of pure 3D photorealism is that it somehow falls just shy of the perfect representation of a documentary photograph and at the same time it may potentially fail to achieve the esthetic appeal of painting or artistic photography. That may simply be a matter of taste I’m sure. It may also evolve as the technology becomes more accessible to a greater variety of artists. It may also develop as more people master the latest techniques to a point where they become second nature and more artistic motivations return to the fore. That is not to say that there are not technicians who are good artists and vice versa,

As I said, it may just be that I personally don’t (for now) see much photorealism being as compelling for art – as opposed to say illustration. One of the few exceptions for me, is Vicki Yeo’s Young Girl, which has been commented on here in the forums a few times. The portrait really makes me wonder who she is, what her story is and what she’s thinking. I’ve read various criticisms about the skin or the hair not being ‘real’ enough etc. IMO, at that point, realism has become more of a fetish than an artistic vehicle.

For ‘painterly’ images, one of the artists I like here is Mimicat. She renders in Vue though she uses Poser figures. I find her work beautifully conceived and executed. My only niggling criticism is that she uses a bit too much of a soft focus/blur effect, but that may be partly my ageing eyes. These are a few of hers that I like.

Trust Me!

New Life The Getaway

Little Lovers

Ann Shirley 

http://vikiyeo.cgsociety.org/gallery/713053/

Making of
http://www.3dtotal.com/index_tutorial_detailed.php?id=219&catDisplay=1&roPos=1&page=1#.UNgf4He_lrM

Imagine the look on the cameraman face after trying to get a kid to stand still long enough to take the photos.Bet he wishes he had Poser.

Viki Yeo Rendered Young Girl in Mental Ray.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=13566140
Hear alot about VRay & Renderman also.
VRay
http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/index.html
RenderMan
http://renderman.pixar.com/view/renderman
All the render engines will have there own look.

People that don't know CGI woun't notice details that lets you know it's a Render.
People that looks at renders all the time
,They're see the details that lets them know it's a Render.

I've never chased realism perfection renders.
I want a lot more out of my renders.

IIRC, she uses Max which includes MentalRay. I think Autodesk provides it with Maya as well. FAIAK, VRay is used a lot for arch/viz, thouh not exclusively of course. The render engine in DAZ Studio, 3Delight is Renderman compliant, though I don't think that DS exposes all of the functionality. There is a plugin that is supposed to allow you to use DS to render with the full blown Pixar PRMan engine and other Render man compliant engines. Poser, all trse, whatever the renderer, there will always be the postwork vs. no postwork differences etc. he way back in Poser 4, exported .rib files for use in those renderers.

Whatever the renderer, there'll always be the postwork vs. no postwork debate etc. Some renderers allow you to do more in camera, like DOF that might otherwise have to be done in post.