Quote - You may also double-click the dial to access the settings panel for that parameter, where you can enter numeric values.

Excellent.  Thank you.

Good.  Thanks.

Also, is it possible to enter a parameter value via keyboard, as apposed to using the dials?  I'm assuming it is, but want to be sure.

Quote - Studio Light pro doesn't need updating, does it? It's just lights and ERC as I recall, rather than a plugin or script.

Someone on the DAZ forum recently posted that SL Pro DOES work with DS 3, but DAZ hasn't bothered updating the index to reflect that, yet, so I may be in luck on that point.

Quote - Poser as is doesn't have handgrip (though it does have built in hand controls that DS lacks), Puppeteer or the PowerPose palette for posing.

 
Not a problem.  I pose everything manually, anyway, so that my poses look as naturally dynamic as possible.

Quote - If you had save it out under a different name ("projectx DS3 Version") then your problem would have been solved.  lesson learned I hope.

Indeed.

Quote - Poser Format Exporter will let you export poses (literal poses and morph settings)...

Excellent.

What's in DS that's not in Poser?

Quote - So you will have to recreate the scene in Poser, you won't be able to open a Daz Studio scene inside Poser.

So, I'll be able to load the figures, props, and setting (the bathroom) I'm using into Poser, I just won't be able to load the project itself, and will have to re-build it.

Quote - What plugins are you missing? A few things in DS are not available in Poser, or require Python scripts in much the same way that DS uses plugins or scripts.

Dreamlight offers several plug-ins that I'd like to experiment with - chief among them being Studio Light Pro (DS's built-in lights are terrible) - but they haven't been updated to work with DS 3 yet.

Quote - Hi Im curious but unless your project uses critical DS3 specific features, why not just complete your current project in DS 2.3x and keep all of your plugin compatibility??

Shortly after DS 3 came out, I loaded my project into it, to test some of the new features.  I then saved my work under the mistaken impression that I would be able to re-load it into DS 2.3.  My intent was to continue using DS 2.3 while DAZ worked on getting all of their third-party plug-ins updated for use with DS 3.  Unfortunately, I got an error message telling me that the file was no longer compatible with DS 2.3 since it contained coding that only DS 3 could read.

My project has been on hold ever since, as it's impossible for me to be sure which plug-ins I may or may not need to continue building the scene.

Suffice it to say, my experience has taught me a very important lesson about the inherent disadvantage of modular program design.  If third-party developers can't or won't update their plug-ins, then the core program becomes relatively useless.  Hence, the reason why I'm switching to Poser.

Everything Poser can do is already built into the program.  For example, I don't see myself ever using its animation tool, or motion-capture features, but it'll be nice to know it's there, should the interest arise.  Compared to DAZ, that's very appealing to me.

I got serious about 3D modeling earlier this year, and had been using DAZ 3D up until version 3 Advanced, which came out a few months ago.  Unfortunately, DAZ Studio has since been unsuccessful in working with third-party developers to release updates for all of the plug-ins that were originally designed for version 2.  In fact, several plug-ins have yet to be updated for version 3.

Suffice it to say, version 3 has given me plenty of food for thought about the inherent disadvantage of the so-called "strength" behind DAZ 3D's modular design.  If 3rd-party developers can't or won't release updates of their plug-ins for use with the core program, then the program itself becomes relatively useless, IMHO.

I bought Poser 7, last June, just to have a copy on hand, should I ever decide to tinker with it.  I've yet to even load it for the first time, however, the problems I referenced above have given me considerable cause to start learning how to use Poser, only I'd prefer to wait until after I upgrade to Poser 8.

That being said, I, too, am looking forward to seeing what SR1 will bring to the table, especially after reading about the problems reported on this forum.  As it stands, my modeling is on hold until one of two things happen:

1) All third-party plug-ins are updated to work with D|S 3 Advanced, or

2) SR1 is released much to the delight of Poser experts everywhere.

Whichever one of those happens first will determine whether I stick with DAZ 3D, or switch to Poser.

Quote - Compare this with the earlier one. There is a thin box under the flattened sphere. What is different?

There's a shadow on the bottom half of the sphere in the second image.

Quote - The upgrade price for P8 at $129 is the upgrade price. Period. The upgrade isn't on sale that I know of. Just the full version.

So I don't have to rush to upgrade.  Excellent.

Thanks.

Quote - the upgrade price of 199 from an earlier version does not run out (it did'nt for poser 7)

I bought P7 on sale in June, for $100.  I'm referring to the $130 upgrade price for P8.

So, the $130 upgrade does not expire?

Does anyone know if there's an expiration date for the upgrade price to Poser 8?  There's no mention of one on CP's web site.

Thanks.

Quote - We 3D geek tech types LIKE to to bicker. Is that ok with you? ;-)

Oh, I SUPPOSE...  hehehe

Quote - There is at least one very recent thread here that has a huge amount of info regarding Poser 8 improvements over Poser 7, along with a whole slew of Poser 8 renders.
www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php

Thanks very much.  :)

Reading all of you 3D tech geeks bicker about rendering apps is making me want to stick to creative writing...

For a hobbyist like myself, who's still relatively new to 3D modeling, and just wants to bring some ideas I have to life in a virtual environment, how does Poser 8 stack up against Poser 7?

Quote - It might.  Wouldn't hurt to ask him, in any event.

Good point.  I'll see if I can get in touch.  Thanks.