Hey Everyone,

So, I'm a filmmaker and motion graphics artist and I've recently decided I wanted to start using either Poser or DAZ for story-boarding and potentially to help create a graphic novel in the future. I'm not super interested in doing much animation in either program at the moment. I used Poser YEARS ago (I'm talking like in the early 2000s) but I haven't touched it in over a decade.

In looking online, I've seen a lot of debate as to which program is more worthwhile so I recently tried out both. Poser felt a lot more intuitive and easier to use when it came to simple things like lighting and camera controls. DAZ has a million tutorials but everything seemed rather cumbersome (I'm not sure if that's because it's more geared towards animation). I also liked some of Poser's sketch render options along with their new comic book preview render as both would be good for more organic looking storyboards and comics (even if I plan to touch them up a lot, it's nice to have something that looks pretty good to start with).

One comparison I saw suggested DAZ was free largely because one needs to buy a lot of assets for it where as Poser comes with a good bit of content rights out of the box (The 5 gbs of downloads you get with purchase). This seemed like Poser might be a nice deal if it meant I wasn't having to constantly buy more models. However, after looking through some of the models that come with each program, it seemed like the standard Poser models lacked the detail of the DAZ ones. I did a quick render or two female models (Genis 8, I think, in Daz and Roxie in Poser). The DAZ model appeared a lot higher polygon with the Poser option feeling rather blocking in important areas like the eyes and other curved surfaces (see render below).

Because I'm pretty new to 3D rendering, I wasn't clear if DAZ just tends to use higher assets or if there's some kind of render setting that ups the polygon count on curved surfaces when you render which I'm not using in Poser. I also wasn't sure if I could just easily grab the DAZ models and take them into Poser (I'm using Poser 11). I saw some posts saying that DAZ was more compatible with models than Poser is but I was confused as other threads said that DAZ started as a resource for Poser models.

Another thing I noticed was that neither seems to be using my GPU during rendering. I've got a GTX970 and while I see that Poser has Open GL support, I didn't see my video card being utilized during a Firefly render.

Ultimately, I'm just looking for something that's simple to use and for which I won't need to keep shelling out more and more cash to get more assets.

Here are the two renders I exported from Poser and DAZ

Roxie is a lower polygon model than G8. She was created that was to show off Poser's subdivision which I believe was new in the same version that Roxie premiered in. You can find the subdivision settings in the properties tab of the parameter pallet. This works for Roxie, Rex, Pauline, and Paul. The rest of the figures you need to change the skinning method first. It's simple. Go to figures>skinning meathod>Poser Unimesh. So far, I haven't seen this effects how the figure behaves except for allowing subdivision.

Some of Daz's figures can be used in Poser without any special treatment. Those include Vicky 1-4 and Mike 1-4. Genesis 1 and 2 can either be exported as a poser file from Daz, or you can get DSON from Daz and use that to load them. Genesis 3 and 8 need a special utility to be used in poser. You can find that here https://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/?forum_id=12503

As far as GPU rendering goes, I don't think Firefly makes use of that. Superfly does.

With either software, you may have to purchase some assets but watch for sales and giveaways (this is the time of year for those). There are also plenty of free products for both programs available here and at sharecg. And check the free stuff forum here for new stuff and holiday giveaways.

Thanks for all the advice!

I'd heard about subdivisions in Poser which I assumed was how one swapped in higher polygon assets but I wasn't sure how to make use of them.

Out of curiosity, which program have you found easier to use? I don't know if DAZ's UI just seems a lot more cumbersome because there's more on screen or if it's actually a more complex program. I'm not a 3D modeler so ease of use is important to me, especially because I'll be doing a lot of photoshop/illustrator work on the art after I've rendered.

You have both already so just find out for yourself.. Let me explain No one can tell you which is easier because that is all based upon how quickly they/you/anyone can grasp and understand the program. I can sit here all day and tell you how I rather use Rendeman in Blender than cycles or how I actually love using Houdini over Maya (which i actually do) and how I didnt think it was as hard as most people said it was to learn.(ok...its was a little harder for me than Maya).but then again that's my preference and may not be the thing for you. So you need to just try both...the one which is easier for you is the winner for you and since you own both already it doesnt really matter. it wont be like...damn i should have purchased the other program instead. Now asking HOW to do something in one or the other is a better question than which is better. that only creates drama................

I think its a matter of taste when it comes to how easy each program is to use. Im not an expert on Daz, but as you, I myself have found the UI in Daz a bit confusing and harder to get your head around compared to Poser. However not saying that Poser is therefore better or that Daz cant achieve what you are looking for. But will share what I think.

As you have already stated yourself in the first post, Poser have a pretty decent sketch and toon functionality, which are very easy to use and serves a good base for retouching.

I personally haven't done a lot of animation in either program, but from what I have tried I find both a bit lacking in features.

Poser also comes with a build in dynamic cloth room and Bullet system which will allow you to do clothing and varies other dynamic effect. I think you would have to buy that separately with Daz (not 100% sure)

As Redphantom said you can use other figures in Poser and its highly advised to do so. The current most popular figures in that regards are Victoria 4 and Michael 4, but new ones are coming.

I think both programs support GoZ which will allow you to import figures into Zbrush, so you can make pretty much any model from a base model, such as V4 or M4.

My best advice if you haven't seen it already, is to spend an hour watching this movie, which is someone doing more or less exactly what you want to do and explaining how to do it in Poser. I think it will both show and give you ideas of workflow on how to make 3d comics, storyboards. Which models to use and so forth.

Poser Webinar: Using Poser 3D Software to Create the Ground-Breaking Graphic Novel Anomaly

I find poser easier to use, but others have said they find daz easier. I've spoken to some who have switched and had struggled at first but were able to get it.

I agree with Darkside. You have both. Try them and see which is more comfortable to you.

3D-Mobster posted at 8:55AM Wed, 13 December 2017 - #4320062

My best advice if you haven't seen it already, is to spend an hour watching this movie, which is someone doing more or less exactly what you want to do and explaining how to do it in Poser. I think it will both show and give you ideas of workflow on how to make 3d comics, storyboards. Which models to use and so forth.

Poser Webinar: Using Poser 3D Software to Create the Ground-Breaking Graphic Novel Anomaly

This video as well, featuring the same artist, goes in on the new comic rendering features in Poser11.

Anomaly Live

BTW: Poser's 5GB of free content tends to be somewhat lacking. You'll end up spending money on content with whichever program unless you can model your own.

I wouldnt rely on only one of those two programs. Easier to use is Poser. Poser has the some handy tools like dependencie editor and the morph brush. In DS tools are mostley hidden in tabs and right click menues. Figure bendings and render results are better in DS.

-Timberwolf- posted at 7:13PM Wed, 13 December 2017 - #4320116

I wouldnt rely on only one of those two programs. Easier to use is Poser. Poser has the some handy tools like dependencie editor and the morph brush. In DS tools are mostley hidden in tabs and right click menues. Figure bendings and render results are better in DS.

Not starting a war here, even though I know people love it here on the forum But can you clarify what you mean with the last line, as already stated im not an expert on Daz so im curios to what you mean.

Figure bendings are better in Daz?

Doesn't that depend on the figure used and how it is rigged rather than the software used or does Daz use something to improve on it, that Poser cant do?

Render results are better in Daz?

I agree that render setting controls are better in Daz, which at least to me is primarily due to having better control over your HDRI map, which Poser can't do from what I know off. But in regards to render result (Iray vs Superfly) the results are pretty similar in my opinion. Not sure how Firefly compares to 3Delight, But can you explain what you mean?

3D-Mobster posted at 7:33PM Wed, 13 December 2017 - #4320125

-Timberwolf- posted at 7:13PM Wed, 13 December 2017 - #4320116

I wouldnt rely on only one of those two programs. Easier to use is Poser. Poser has the some handy tools like dependencie editor and the morph brush. In DS tools are mostley hidden in tabs and right click menues. Figure bendings and render results are better in DS.

Not starting a war here, even though I know people love it here on the forum But can you clarify what you mean with the last line, as already stated im not an expert on Daz so im curios to what you mean.

Figure bendings are better in Daz?

Doesn't that depend on the figure used and how it is rigged rather than the software used or does Daz use something to improve on it, that Poser cant do?

Render results are better in Daz?

I agree that render setting controls are better in Daz, which at least to me is primarily due to having better control over your HDRI map, which Poser can't do from what I know off. But in regards to render result (Iray vs Superfly) the results are pretty similar in my opinion. Not sure how Firefly compares to 3Delight, But can you explain what you mean?

I admit, it is my very personal opinion. To avoid a war, I am going to send you a PM.

MalachiX

your asking the wrong question.

Can I make a comic using DAZ/Poser ?

If you "buy" a lot of stuff to go in to your comic.

They don't sell any thing n every thing you think of. So you buy what they sell. If you want to make comics about underdressed sluts ,then your good. Any thing else good luck.

RorrKonn if you was going to make a comic ,How would you make your comic ? 2D.

Clip Studio EX is on sell. It's made for comics .

Actually Poser was originally made for 2D Artist models.

RorrKonn posted at 11:01AM Sat, 16 December 2017 - #4320225

MalachiX

your asking the wrong question.

Can I make a comic using DAZ/Poser ?

If you "buy" a lot of stuff to go in to your comic.

They don't sell any thing n every thing you think of. So you buy what they sell. If you want to make comics about underdressed sluts ,then your good. Any thing else good luck.

RorrKonn if you was going to make a comic ,How would you make your comic ? 2D.

With all due respect: there are too many amateurs and professionals making comics with these tools to suggest you shouldn't use them to make comics.

Falsedelic posted at 12:50PM Sat, 16 December 2017 - #4320333

RorrKonn posted at 11:01AM Sat, 16 December 2017 - #4320225

MalachiX

your asking the wrong question.

Can I make a comic using DAZ/Poser ?

If you "buy" a lot of stuff to go in to your comic.

They don't sell any thing n every thing you think of. So you buy what they sell. If you want to make comics about underdressed sluts ,then your good. Any thing else good luck.

RorrKonn if you was going to make a comic ,How would you make your comic ? 2D.

With all due respect: there are too many amateurs and professionals making comics with these tools to suggest you shouldn't use them to make comics.

What RorrKonn is saying is that lately many vendors are only interested in making hookerware and sets that support that.

Which is true - simply look at what is hitting the store every day. I have $3K+K stuff in my wishlist. The down side for 'Rosity is that I am not adding new things to that list.

http://www.experienceanomaly.com/anomaly/

A crew of Artist Used poser characters as a base mesh .I know they inked over them .Did they use zBrush also ? Didn't they modify meshes to make there own ? Didn't it take a Crew of very experienced Artist at least 6 months to make ? If I tried to do all that my self it would take a very long time and marvel spits out comics monthly.

Other then experienceanomaly can you name any one else that used Poser to make comics ?

Do you see Poser/DAZ comics at https://www.comixology.com/ ?

May be they use Poser character as a guild line n some really should but not straight out renders.

If you did make comics with Poser you would need a render farm to use super fly .I would use a real time render engine. Poser or DAZ does not have tools for particules n smoke n all that .you would need Blender or paint it.

You would also need to make sure what you buy no one else owns copy rights to. Just cause you buy batman don't mean you can make a batman comic.

I looked in to making Poser comics back in the day. buy the time you search ,buy buy buy ,get it to work ,render ,etc etc ...Just paint it.

ssgbryan done covered the limited beyond hooker wear

@RorrKonn @ssgbryan I understand what you're saying, there's just a lot of different ways to create a comic and it may not require an insane amount of content or superfly renderer. I've seen many comic artists using Poser or Daz in creative ways to do really nice stuff.

RorrKonn posted at 2:46AM Sun, 17 December 2017 - #4320351

Other then experienceanomaly can you name any one else that used Poser to make comics ?

erogenesis

eclark has and knyghtmarev3 does and has done several issues. There was someone else too but I can't remember her name. And while it's not quite as image intensive, I illustrate my books with it.

RedPhantom posted at 6:30AM Sun, 17 December 2017 - #4320358

eclark has and knyghtmarev3 does and has done several issues. There was someone else too but I can't remember her name. And while it's not quite as image intensive, I illustrate my books with it.

estherau...

You have to post work the images no matter which program you are using. I don't see that many online comics that use the renders without it (yes, I KNOW there are exceptions like erogenesis). So either program will give you what you want.

Asking that just invites a flame war, because everyone is opinionated and convinced they are right, and only their personal choice of software is the correct choice. It was stated earlier: try them both and see which one suits you best.

Don't just name names ,links or at the very least a url.

erogenesis ,I forgot about the porn comics.

Ya there's actually a good bit of porn comics some have quality some of them are just really bad cheap low quality renders. they didn't even spend a couple of dollars on the hooker wear .there just naked.I have nothing against porn but I have every thing against low quality trash. I have no idea if any of them are making any $$$. erogenesis is the one to talk to about porn.

couldn't find eclark ,knyghtmarev3 is free ? saw a poll dancer topless.Are they making $$$ ?