My understanding of the DAZ process is that the main development of their figures is coordinated with the company itself.  Brokered artists/contractors under NDA do the beta testing to provide further input for development as well as content for release.  Some products developed by outside developers are bought outright - whether those items were originally contracted for development or not is something I'm not familiar with.

My understanding of how the EF/SM figures were developed is that they were created by an artist in Japan.  Then the figures were re-rigged for the American version of the software.

Personally, I like M4/V4 much better than M3/V3.  The face shapes can be a little frustrating at times - but DAZ is pretty good about supplying new morph packs.  I didn't care for the Mil 3 shoulders at all.  I would buy V5/M5 if/when they become available.  I think DAZ is certainly committed to developing their figures and making them user friendly.  I just wish that Smith Micro had developed their figures to a similar or higher level of realism.

Quote - > Quote -

A user here asks a question to another user with inside knowledge about the development of the software.  That user was rebuked for raising concerns and expressing preferences.

That is simply false.

Whatever - I have read all the comment.  I stick with what I've said.  You are welcome to disagree.

Quote - "It seems to be a flawed assumption that your opinion should be relied upon alone while other users' input should be dismissed.  "

who says it was? you were at the meetings?

you say "  Your contributions are appreciated, but let's keep things in perspective." yet you are not doing the same by assuming the design is BB's alone. but hey. he's easy to unload on since he's here.

sorry if this offends you but it certainly offends me when some one assumes things that they have no idea on.

A user here asks a question to another user with inside knowledge about the development of the software.  That user was rebuked for raising concerns and expressing preferences.  No doubt that a multitude of individuals were involved in the development process.  I never assumed Bagginsbill is the sole contributor to Poser.  It's his response to another user that I take issue with.   The opinions of the other user here were significantly discounted.  Please remember that this is a product that is intend to sell.

There is no reason to be defensive and I'm not offended.  I have stated my views as you have stated yours.  But it is not necessary to have an inside knowledge of the workings of a company to see the manner in which concerns from consumers are addressed.  Further, this is the poser forum, where this type of criticism is meant to be explored.   Nobody is being unloaded on - and if you think this the case then maybe these forums have become way too sensitive.  Everyone, including Bagginsbill, has chosen to post to this topic - so there shouldn't be any surprise that there is some impassioned views leading to some disagreement.  Otherwise, why would anyone care to even comment?

Bagginsbill,  I have to agree with the comments about complaints with the interface.  SM issued a survey a while back specifically asking users want they wanted from the software.   It seems to be a flawed assumption that your opinion should be relied upon alone while other users' input should be dismissed.  Concerns and questions were raised - it's no reason to be defensive especially if you want the software to sell well.  Believe it or not there are plenty of talented people in the community who would be just as capable of making great contributions to Poser's development if they were provided with the same opportunity.  Your contributions are appreciated, but let's keep things in perspective.

Using the preview window as the size of the render has some benefits as the user knows where to place items in the scene so that they show up in the right place in the render.  It's a good way for beginners and intermediate users to get the renders they want.  Personally, I could care less about the new library options - as long as I can find and load it - I'm good.  My concern is with the development of and integration between the content and the software: more realistic human figures (over the Poser 8 crap), soft body physics on figures, more dynamic clothing and hair, stick options (like in Studio 4) to keep part of a figure locked to a particular position, etc.

Library options and render window settings aren't really of concern to me.  I'm open-minded, but it will probably require some more significant features before I'm enticed to upgrade.

 how about the figures?

 Is there an update to the figures?

 I wonder if they fixed the figures...

Looks like he's coming along nicely 

The beta is not loading figures from my library 

 I just plan to die in a public area and have people step over my rotting remains...

 I'm a child of the 80's - it might be the John Robbins shows - just not sure

it wasn't interactive-- it might be reruns of gather round, but not sure 

 I'm not seeing anything with those names.