um, ok, i'm not a big forum poster, nor am i a PoserTechGeek - that's a compliment, btw, as i'm striving to try to become at least a semi-geek. i mean so many of you toss out these acronyms left & right and i'm left extremely confuzzled.  keep in mind though that except for limited time [50 mins] sessions on a public access PC every now & again and over the last 7-8 years, i've essentially not been online and so much has happened application-wise.  and maybe it matters, maybe not, but i'm still in P6, currently re-reading my manual regarding shaders and trying to suss those out as i was only getting a grasp right before i disconnected.  and my use of P6, until very very recently, has been so sadly limited to really just recycling the same pz3 [lighting & figure] and just trying to paint over everything after adjusting a pose.

i say all these things because i'm most likely coming from a different place, but nor do i believe that my point of reference invalidates my opinions/observations.  it just simply means that you, the reader of this little post of mine, have probably a vast bit more of experience and knowledge of the program and all its incarnations.

in looking at the first render, my initial reaction was, well, less than impressed; however, i love the magnifying glass sphere and simply ignored the girl [i had to go back to look at her after someone commented upon her skin with something less than enthusiasm because, frankly, she herself was forgettable and i suspect really not the point of the image anyway].

i am considering upgrading [though i want it in a box and not as a download in case i decide to disconnect again for any extended period of time, and in case, like this last time, i get a new PC and need to re-load all my programs].  i'm endlessly fascinated by what i've seen regarding shaders in newer versions and what little i've read about them here in this forum.

i can't say i'm excited or disappointed with these quick previews in terms of an overall program that has yet to be revealed in its update as those emotions just don't apply here for me -- let me emphasize the ME part of that statement -- at least not yet, not this early in the game.

i do think it important that folks who have ideas and opinions about their concerns for an upgrade voice those thoughts, but only in a constructive fashion, which i think most in this thread have done.  i mean isn't that part of the idea to posting this thread in the first place?  so that Chuck can get an idea of people's reactions, take things back to his team and brainstorm?  that's what part of my motivation would've been, and i'd think that true for any business.  to not speak up, and to only give flattery, does no one any good, doesn't push anything to the next, hopefully higher & better, place.  i just think voicing opinions should be done with grace, for if one only tries to scream the loudest, well, the more deaf an audience becomes.  i see the stated concerns and complaints as people not bashing Poser, but trying to lift it up because they actually DO care for Poser, holding onto their hope & desire for its success.  they dub it tough love for a reason.

and yes, i'm aware there is another thread in this forum to address wishlist thoughts for a new Poser, but i'm here, now, and it's relevant, so...

ease of use, figures to knock my mittens off, quicker rendering times [with awareness that SM cannot be held responsible for limitations of one's hardware], reasonably priced [i like my arms and legs, thank you], and as stated above, the option to buy it in a box [with a fox, in a house, with a mouse and with a physical manual i can take to bed with me if i so choose]

ok, i'm off to try to read up on things like: cycles, GPU, PBR [which i assume has nothing to do w. peanut butter] and the like...