Hmmm, I must confess that I have yet to come across anyone under 21 using Poser or any other 3D modelling/rendering software. It's expensive, and generally requires a slightly more powerful computer than the average user needs for average use. Such computers are also more expensive. Because of this, I doubt very much it's an age-related issue, which is what is implied by "family-friendly": the inference is that there should be nothing on the site that parents might feel uncomfortable that their children will see. (But then there's plenty of torture devices, weapons, guns, zombies, monsters etc... but that's just harmless fantasy so it's OK right?) I think it's definitely more of a moral-based decision at heart, whoever made it. Not that I have a particular gripe about it, but I do wish they'd come clean and just say it: "My religious and/or philosophical/whatever beliefs lead me to feel more comfortable not offering bondage gear for sale on the site" or whatever, rather than hiding behind the inference that children might be upset in some way. If kids wanted to look at naughty stuff, there's plenty of places they would choose rather than a 3D modelling site.

Quote - Two of your three questions aren't mac related, so you've sent away alot of people who could answer your questions. P7 is universal binary so it will work on your new system.

Well, I've posted questions here before, and past experience has taught me that a large proportion of people don't bother to read the questions properly, and miss the fact I'm on a Mac. They then start giving me advice that I could only follow if I were using a Windows PC, such as particular software recommendations that don't do a Mac version for example. So I thought it would be more helpful (to me) to flag up the fact I'm on a Mac, precisely to deter such people from posting. I want quality not quantity:) Thanks for setting my mind at rest as to my 3rd question!

Hi, no there's no texture. And the lashes are still there in the render, too. What if I made a transparency map that was just all black, and replaced the existing lashes one? That sounds like it would work in theory... but it still seems like a lot of unnecessary work. Surely there's something I can just toggle on and off?

Actually, I just tried it, and it didn't make any difference!

Hi, thanks very much!

So, does Poser load faster when all the content is contained in external runtimes, rather than inside the Poser runtime? Does it make a difference at all? In or out, that's the choice... external runtimes or internal sub-folders?

It took me several months to do my high detail vampire/undead textures in the marketplace, but I didn't have all day, everyday on them. Seams were difficult to deal with, constantly checking and repainting. It was a bit disheartening for sales to peak at Halloween and then tail off steeply afterwards though: don't other people like vampires the rest of the year?:-( Just kidding:-) But to be honest, I didn't make the textures to make millions here at Renderosity, I made them for people who like them, like me. That's all part of the fun. I assume you asked the question because you want to start creating your own content? My advice then would be: just dive in! It doesn't matter how long it takes: you'll be having fun, doing something you enjoy, learning new skills, and maybe even making a bit of spare cash if you choose to sell your creations. What could be better?

I got Poser 7 a little while ago, having previously used Poser 4 and 6 (I missed 5 entirely). So, I've got just 3 Runtime folders, one from each version of Poser. Personally, I find it a real pain loading, say V3 from one runtime, then a pair of shoes for V3 from another, then an outfit from another etc. Especially as Poser isn't fast on my machine. So I was considering just moving everything into my Poser 7 Runtime, tedious a task as it may be. However, some of the other organisational methods proposed here seem to be good ideas. I'll have to think about this. All I'm really concerned with is speeding up my workflow and making it easier. I have heard that overloading Poser's Runtime with models slows it down; what does everyone think?

I'm hoping to still render out larger than the actual printed size (20" x 20"). If I render out at about 30" x 30", then boost the size just a bit more with the resizing plugin, then when the whole thing is reduced back down to 20" x 20" for printing, it should pass muster. At least, that's the plan:-) Anyway, for the toyfair mockup, which is my priority right now, it should be good enough. Rob

Well. from the demos the results look pretty amazing. And although I'm not dumb enough to expect the results to be BETTER , if they are at least AS GOOD AS, then it might be the only way forward I have. My deadline is so my client can make a prototype to take to a European toyfair, to try and get manufacturers interested. So it doesn't have to be absolutely perfect for the prototype. We'd have more time after the toyfair for tweaks and redos.

Very interesting. So, are you saying that I could go buy SizeFixer, render out at a smaller size (for example 2000 x 2000) and then boost it up to the required size with no loss of quality? This could be worth doing if the end result still looks good.

One other thing: from digging through the forums, several people seem to be saying that Bryce 6 is slower in render time than previous versions of Bryce. Is this true? Could I open this file in Bryce 5.5 (or even 4) and render faster? What do people think?

OK, Just thought I'd update you on my progress. I've implemented all the changes that have been suggested so far. I've made some significant improvements, but not significant enough. What I've been doing is implementing a change, rendering 1%, seeing how long that 1% took to render, and then simply multiplying that by 100 to gauge a very rough estimate of how long the whole thing might take. Now, I know that's probably not the most accurate way of doing it, but I don't know any other way. Currently, it's taking about 12 hours to render 1%. This means it will probably take approx 1200 hours, or 50 days, to render 100%. While that is a HUGE improvement on 200 days, it's still not fast enough. I've got about 21 days before this has to go to print, and I need to really slash this render time further. Does anyone know of any further thing I can try? I have heard of a little device called a RayBox (I think), which is sort of like an external hard drive, only it's solely devoted to 3D rendering: it simply plugs into your machine, and off you go. It doesn't feed off your machine, so you're free to get on with anything else, while this takes care of the rendering. Trouble is, I can't find out anything about it, no pricing or availability. Anyone heard of this? I've thought about the possibility of rendering in stages: i.e. remove all trees for example, then render. Then render a version with just the trees, and then one with just the buildings, and so on, putting it all together in Photoshop. How does this sound? It's a lot of postwork, but if it can save me on render time, it might be worth it.... Once again, all and any suggestions are welcome. Many thanks, Rob.

First thing I'm trying is the large render at 72dpi. If that proves to be still too slow (and I'll know by tomorrow morning), then I'll try doing it in segments. And then I'll just keep adding each tip here until I get a workable solution. And RayRaz, I don't necessarily love doing complicated scenes; it's just sometimes I have to:-) Anyway, although I work in 3D, all of the work I produce is for eventual 2D output, so I am able to cheat an awful lot in post production. Rob.

These forums are always my first port of call whenever I've had any kind of issue. It's such a fantastic resource, and I've never failed to find some kind of solution, even if it wasn't the one I was expecting. I salute each and every one of you. A happy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year to you all. Rob