Vue 4 is saying that the Serial number for Poser 5 is invalid!!

Is this an issue that is to be addressed, or has anyone found a solution?

Vue 4 doesn't recognize Poser 4. The only way I am able to use both is that I still have Poser 4 on my PC. Hopefully E-On will update this so users without Poser 4 can use it.

Oopps! I meant to say Vue 4 doesn't recognize Poser 5. My bad!

Oh so this is an issue that E-On need to address not Curious Labs? (I don't know much about these things!)

Mainly E-on, but there might be some input from Curious Labs as well.

I suspect E-on are working on a solution right now. E-on would have to wait for CL though, as only they hold the key regarding Poser licensing and how Vue should validate a legal Poser 5 installation. Cheers

Ok, that makes sense

Attached Link: http://www.e-onsoftware.com/Support/ShowMessage.php?id=1033177626

Ok this disturbs me greatly.

So the people who have bought Poser 5 as an upgrade and no longer have the Poser 4.exe file available lose one of the most valuable advantages of Vue (the Poser to Vue compatability) and Curious Labs response is that they are 'on their own'.

Wow, my view of Curious Labs seems to be changing from good to bad almost daily

Would anybody from CL like to comment on this?

Attached Link: Reiss Studio, home of the Maya Poser plugin

Woa...Wait! Here's the deal with 3rd party importers and CL (I can comment on this because I write one of them). CL's first priority is delivering a quality Poser 5, which takes care of the customers here (and in other places). Once this version of Poser is available, it takes a *lot* of work to make a Developer's Toolkit which works with the new version. We import-plugin developers use these Toolkits to bring poser files into 3rd party applications. Each implementation of poser files in another app is different and we, the plugin developers, have to create and support this pipeline. When Vue creates their version which uses Poser characters, it is up to them to support this feature. When a customer asks why they cannot use Poser 5 in Vue yet, the proper response is "There is no Developers Kit for Poser 5 yet." I think the person Steve who responded that "CL just doesn't want to" does not do the programming and thinks that it's a restriction eing placed on him. The CL support answer (while short) is correct, questions aout Poser in Vue, need to be supported by vue. just like questions about other peoples poser plugins, (like ours) have to be directed to, and supported by) the other parties. I hope this helps clear up the responses involved

This is the umteenth time I've seen an improper response from them. I don't wish to see anyone get fired. You can correct this in a positive way. But someone needs to have a meeting with the Tech support personnel and explain to them what you should and should not say or type. I know it's a tough and thankless job. I sympathize with your job duties. ScottA

I think he's too busy for a meeting right now ;]

reiss-studio, while I except that getting Poser 5 usable should be a top priority and that the plugin should be created by E-On it still doesn't alter the fact that there seems to be a stand off here whether perceived or not.

E-On have said:

'Well, all I can tell you is that the only reason why you need Poser 4 installed is that Curious Labs wants it that way. I hope they change their mind on this, and I can tell you that as soon as they do, we will update our software'

If this is the case could someone at Curious Labs please tell them it is OK to use Poser 5 so that they can get on with developing the kit, I realise that there is probably more to this but to be quite frank, as the customer it is not my concern.

no word from Curious Labs I see

Attached Link: Reiss Studio, Maya Poser plug-in, Maya Reseller

ah, I see where I might not have explained well enough. this statement by the E-On support representative is false: "E-On have said: 'Well, all I can tell you is that the *only* reason why you need Poser 4 installed is that Curious Labs wants it that way. I hope they change their mind on this, and I can tell you that as soon as they do, we will update our software'" This is a completely inaccurate (and spiteful?) response from a vue support representative. I will explain. Curious Labs supplies a toolkit to the 3rd Party developers which work based on the latest version of Poser. The last version of the Toolkit was built for Poser 4. This is the version that all 3rd party developers have (us included) and will not work with only Poser 5 under any circumstances. It was created bbefore Poser 5 was even internally a product, around the time of ProPak. Poser 5 is built differently, and needs a new toolkit. Curious Labs is currently working on updates for Poser 5, and can not work on a Poser 5 toolkit for us developers until they are done with their updates for Poser 5. There is no toolkit ready for Poser 5 at this point, so even with a verbal "ok" there would still be no way to create a Poser 5 plugin. I am sorry to see that the Vue support representative is so misinformed on this issue, and I have forwarded his comments to the appropriate people at Curious Labs. "no word from Curious Labs I see " your last post asking for a comment from Curious Labs was 30 minutes after they closed for the day, it is still the middle of the night here (2:00am) and you will probably not get a comment back from anyone at CL until they arrive at work in the morning. If they think that it has not been explained well enough allready. I hope that this has been able to explain the issues involved more thoroughly than my last post! cheers, -Josh

I do understand what you have said Josh, and that makes sense, I'm not out to bash Curious Labs here, but I would suggest that from a customer services stand point it would be diplomatic if not essential for Curious Labs to put out an official statement, which says something along the lines of - we realise that the compatability of Poser 5 with other programs is an issue, but as I'm sure you can appreciate at this time we are still in the process of fine tuning Poser 5 and that as soon as we are able to, we will address these issues.

It's simple, but customers don't like to be ignored, and/or told harshly that they are on their own with problems that they have with the program. People will be a lot more patient if they know that eventually there will be a fix. Of course if the company's intention is never to allow a fix to be made, then the response is probably justified and I have every right to question it, I'm really just wanting clarification from Curious Labs about the position here.

Middle of the night! hmm, I suppose it is in some parts of the world! :o) (shouldn't you be asleep?)

Attached Link: Reiss Studio, Maya Poser plug-in, and Maya Reseller

"Middle of the night! hmm, I suppose it is in some parts of the world! :o) (shouldn't you be asleep?) " LOL, omg you are sooo correct. I should be asleep already! I've been too much of a night owl here :) having your own business kinda-keeps you up at night. and then getting addicted to these forums hasn't helped! (now if I just put all the hours I spent here working on the business instead... or even beter, morrowind!) as to the clarification, they're soooo busy right now with the patch, etc... that they might not have time to hit all these threads. an official statement would have to come from kupa (no one else internally would have the full details) and I know he's swamped to next week. What I can say is that they are strongly interested in creating an SDK for Poser 5, but in order to do it right, they have to spend some time figuring out how to make all the new features (cloth/hair/etc) available to other programs. They do understand it's a strong important issue, but needs to be done right (and there's work to do!). They can't even think about addressing it until they're done with what they're working on now, but it is very important. How do I know? They've discussed this exact issue with me! :] and I'm looking forward to working with them to work through details when they're ready. best, -J

Maybe they should add the answer to this query onto their FAQ that way when this issue arises with Vue or any other program one of us can direct the question there, and save the e-mails to tech support etc.

Just a thought

Attached Link: Reiss Studio, Maya Poser plug-in, and Maya Reseller

That might be a good idea, I'll suggest it next time I'm down there. (shouldn't I be asleep :]

Goodnight Josh :o)

As long there is no new plug in available you could copy the Geometrie folders of the P5 figures you like to export to Vue into the Poser4 Geometrie folder. I've done this with Judy and imported the Pz3 I saved in P5 without any problems into Vue4. It just asks you to locate the textures as it can't find them in the P4 directory. And as long as you don't use the P5 hair or other new P5 features it should work fine.

CL needs to find the tech support guy with the scarab beetle in his shorts and do something about him. You do NOT talk to your customers like that.

Seriously, this guy "Steve" at Vue seems to have a serious axe to grind. Maybe he is just frustrated? Anyone in that position (writing a thrid party importer) shouls have realized that there would be a time delay and should make sure they know how to answer their clients questions. I am not at all sure why CL shoudl be in a position of supproting software they didn't write.

OK then. Someone should have a meeting with Tech support with CuriousLabs AND E-On. ;-) Gag orders for everyone! :-) ScottA

Soulhuntre... And Curious Labs are in the being helpful and polite with no axe to grind? quote According to the CL Technical Support Manager (tech@curiouslabs.com) the following sums up their position: "The Poser import capability in Vue D'Esprit was created entirely by e-on with no cooperation, assistance or influence by Curious Labs. They are on their own with this and so are you. Go talk to them." *** Which is patently bullshit as the serial number checking had to have had assistance from Curious Labs alone, not to mention other program functions that need to be interpreted. Looks like more than one person was having a bad hair day.

"Looks like more than one person was having a bad hair day." It sure looks like it :)

Maybe if these people were provided with buckets of ice to chill in and a hairbrush things would get better. :)

"And Curious Labs are in the being helpful and polite with no axe to grind?" I don't know, I'd love to see teh message that was sent to CL to provoke that response. the guy who first posted on that thread seemed pretty irate, and might have been demanding something from CL. a reaction alone is like a yin without a yang

Most people underestimate how much talent it takes to deal with the general public. People are nuts. 8-P

"Most people underestimate how much talent it takes to deal with the general public. " man, you are not kidding! :]

"I don't know, I'd love to see teh message that was sent to CL to provoke that response. the guy who first posted on that thread seemed pretty irate, and might have been demanding something from CL."

that may well be true, but no matter how rude or demanding a customer is, being harsh back rarely solves the problem!

and I agree, it is not an easy job!

"and I agree, it is not an easy job!" yeah, it's funny you dont normally get people who are both diplomats, and technical :)

** don't know, I'd love to see teh message that was sent to CL ** Shouldn't matter what was sent. Civility is something that is essential in business regardless of what's said to you. In the UK, tech/customer support is allowed to hang up on an abusive customer, and in a store they are entitled to ask the customer to leave if they won't calm down. But, they have to do it politely - then call security. No matter how many four letter words are used, or how insulting something is you don't snap back. That privilege is only for "ordinary folks" not representatives of a company. :) Diplomats are not technical because diplomats are invariably politicians who could give a damn about technical stuff, all they want is money lining their pockets. Most technical people are too busy to be diplomats and rarely work help desks. Help desks are often populated by people who are either savvy with the software or capable of reading an automated help sheet - depending on company set-up. Nine times out of ten a "techie" answer will include RTFM... That's why techies don't play help-desk. :)