There’s actually been a fair amount of discussion/ideas on improving the material room with a two level interface, compared to other applications etc., maybe under ‘node spaghetti’. I don’t know if it met the level required for continued legitimacy – is it like those White House petition things? Sorry, I’m being a bit sarcastic ÷)

“But it has to decide what it actually wants.”

I think there’s truth to that. One of the main problems is that there is no one group to satisfy. Some would prefer a more wizard driven interface, with lots of presets etc. some of whom are called the ‘make art’ (not my characterization) crowd. Some want advanced features, even if they require more effort to use. I don’t see those two as mutually exclusive, but doing both with limited resources, while trying to meet a release schedule that will keep people buying new versions is a huge challenge. One or the other will probably characterize the application. There are probably more, but IMO, if someone came out with a modern streamlined application aimed at casual users (no, not Debut nor DS), that used existing content it could potentially grab a large chunk of customers. That could ‘free’ Poser to cater to an audience more interested in advanced features, maybe adding more integration with Blender, as was suggested, multiple render engines etc.

There are also limits to what the team can accomplish, at least in the near term. Historically, many of the new features have at least started with the acquisition of 3rd party technology – Firefly being a case in point. Sure, there is better stuff out there e.g. sophisticated hair modules used in Max etc. The question is how much would they cost in money and integration effort. Expecting Poser’s programmers to do that stuff from scratch is probably even less realistic. I think that overall, they’ve done a pretty good job keeping the program going. A lot will depend on how long they have the great luxury of only middling competition. Personally, I’d want an whole different team working on the next generation from a clean slate, but Poser is only one cog in the SM wheel and I doubt that would happen.

Rumors? Check SMSI’s SEC filings, stock rumors etc. as likely to point to anything as reading the entrails of the Poser Forum I imagine.

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