Thanks Aproctor.

I may have nudged them a little in ZBrush without realizing it but for the most part that's him, Laurie. 

 <--- This is Rex by the way. A morph I'm working on.

I agree, believability is key to me and is what I strive for in my work. If a figure looks resonably believable and appealing in some fashion than I think I've done my job. I do think that the lighting conditions thing is a bit of a trade off you just have to accept. Even in the real world someone who looks great under certain lights will look less so under others and I don't think anyone looks great under florescents - those things are just evil.

I guess what I was getting at and maybe didn't express well is that what we find attractive in a Poser model - and that's what this thread's about at its core - is a very personal thing and can change at any given moment.  Sure the ideal is a figure you don't have to morph but the reality is that it's more likely you're going to than it is that you're not. The core figures have been hit or miss at times but just like any mesh, in the right hands could be made truly great. Sadly, being included in the application seems to downgrade their value to many and so despite everyone having the figures, few develop items for them so they don't get used  (except for James - that guys all over TV).

 

Sorry mid typing mind ramble. Anyway, you are right, believable figures are important and Trekkiegirl is right that some of the core figures really do get a bad wrap and aren't bad looking.