I have a stupid question/request: I want to create face morphs that duplicate real people and I have found real limitations doing it just in Poser. Could I get some suggestions for other software I can use to create these instead? I have two limiting factors, however: I do not have a lot of money and I work on a Mac. Also, I would ideally like to be able use the same software to do some other modeling work, mostly creating new clothes by combining and editing what I already have. Thanks for your help.

Hi, Well there's a thing called "still to real" in the store, but I think it's PC only, so you'd need an emulator of some kind. Cool nick! You'd think somebody would've taken that one already :) later jb

Attached Link: http://www.bbay.com/cfwebstore/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=446

Nothing stupid about any question, if you really need the answer. :-) I've seen a lot of software recommended for that purpose; a lot depends on your budget & your present level of familiarity with such software. I've seen good results posted by Amorphium Pro users & even better by ZBrush users. most packages have demo versions available. Each has a different approach & interface that the programmers felt would be the most logical method, but since no 2 people think quite the same, some take longer to learn than others. Try this; export a Poser char head as an OBJ, download demos of a couple of programs & see how easy you find it to shape & contour in each pkg. Whichever is easiest FOR YOU is the best one to start with. Good luck & don't hesitate to post your findings, opinions, & possible even a render or two here for others. :-)

I use ANIM8TOR to make all my morph targets and for other modelling.. it's free.. But does it work on MACS?

I use ANIM8TOR to make all my morph targets and for other modelling.. it's free.. But does it work on MACS?

If you are seroius about doing morphs, you can see if you can find a remaindered copy of RayDream 5.5 at a software company. One that catered to academics had the program several months ago. The Mesh Form Modeler in RDS will do the job, but if this is your first foray into a 3D modeling program, expect a learning curve that is not shallow. It also provides you with the tools to make props for Poser in the native obj environment.

Hi John Doe,

As a general rule, you should choose the application that will better fit your needs -and your "price range" :-)

If you are only interested in creating/modifying a texture to be used on a 3D object, you can use ZBrush or any of the other excellent 3D-Painting applications; each of the available programs has its own strengths and
weaknesses in features, price and features/price ratio.

If, on the other hand, you are interested in creating new 3D models or creating morph-targets for Poser, then ZBrush is your ticket:)

Besides the fact that 3D Texturing and 3D Modeling is only a portion of what you can do in ZBrush, you may want to consider the following...

1. Poser figures/props which are exported from Poser in OBJ format will already contain proper UV coordinates assigned which ZBrush will recognize and use for 'undistorted what you see is what you get' texture mapping.

2. ZBrush will retain the proper vertices count and order of imported object, which allows for fast (and fun) Morph-target creation process.

3. All Objects created within ZBrush will have automatic UV coordinates assigned to them and can be exported and used in Poser.

4. If needed, standard UV mapping can be re-applied to imported objects (Cylindrical, Planar, Spherical)

5. Other Poser/Zbrush/Poser Tuts can be found here:
   http://www.awakemm.com/poserarcana/
   If you go the ZBrushCentral forum QUICKLINKS Link, there is a section called "Poser, Importing and Exporting"
   It can be found here:
   http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000049

6. There is a new script called TextureMaster available in the latest version 1.23b of ZBrush. TextureMaster is a powerful ZScript utility for texturing 3D objects. Use any of ZBrush's painting tools to create any kind of textures you can imagine, and interactively apply them to editable 3D objects. 3D objects can be created entirely within ZBrush or imported from other applications, then exported again.
   TextureMaster includes a comprehensive, 5-chapter tutorial on texturing, ranging from the basics to advanced concepts. Also included are tips on importing objects, creating morph targets, and working with UV coordinates.

7. Have fun :-)

Well, thanks for all the replies guys, I'm working through some demos right now. Wow, that's quite the endorsement for zBrush, jaimelab. Unfortunately, I just tried their demo and you can't import or export so I can't take it for a spin. :( JimX, thanks for the good idea. I had almost forgotten about that CD. It might be a good way to be able to put off buying a 3d package, since I'm not sure I can afford one right now. If only I knew a complete list of all the morphs I would get. Granted that is a large list to make, but if I'm going to try to recreate people I'm going to need some specific morphs, as well as diversity. It may stil be my number one option right now, though. Thanks.

Jamielab I've gotten a good impression of Zbrush for doing morphs from several posts I've read, but I hadn't quite decided if I really wanted to get it. You've tipped the scales :-)) I see from their website the price will be going up; would you have any Idea how soon? I probably wouldn't be able to get it unti,l at least next week. Thanks for the "7 point analysis". G