Hi Folks! Nice work, Chris! I'm actually thinking about doing a Poser version of Helmut Newton's famous "Here They Come" photo. Current plans are to launch my web site and debut my collection of Poser images after the first of the year. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! Darren, I have individual copies of both Poser 3 and Poser 4--and I'm finding that I spend more time working (or should I say playing?) with P4. The figures, conformable clothing, transparency controls, and new lights are just a few of the things that make it a much more versatile tool than its predecessor. You will also find in this forum and other sites throughout the Web a treasure trove of stuff you can download as objects, textures and morph targets. Before long, customizing your Poser figures will be downright addictive. I'm sorry to hear it's so expensive in your part of the world, but I think it's a worthy upgrade--unless you're willing to wait a few more months for (eventually) Poser 5! Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! I picked up Hash AM late last year and I'm finally going to have some time during the upcoming holidays to learn it. I would welcome a Hash forum here, especially on topics of modelling humanoids and props to export into other 3D programs. Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks! So photorealistic it's scary. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! BTW--I've also produced animations from images produced completely in ClarisWorks, and I'm currently teaching myself Hash Animation Master. Again, I hope I can be a useful resource. Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks! I have been creating 2D and 3D animations for several years now. Most of my presentations have been for personal use or private clients, so I have not released much of my work for general viewing. But I have experience with a number of programs, including Cinemation, Animation Works, MovieMaker (anybody remember them?), PowerPoint, LogoMotion, Infini-D, Ray Dream Studio, AfterEffects, Bryce, and now Poser. In the spring of 2000 I will teach a course in 3D Design and Animation at a university in my local area. Colm and others, please consider me a modest but willing and available resource for whatever insights I can provide about computer-generated animation. Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks! Thanx for the observations, xeno. How/where do I find the Creator such that I can alter it to change all my current downloaded files with PC icons to SimpleText icons? thanx Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks! BTW--On my Mac G3 running Poser4, converting obj files thru MacConverter results in files with PC icons and DOS file descriptions in the Get Info box. I can download them and unZip them and they come in with a generic document icon, but to use them I must usually drag them onto MacConverter--and then the icons change. I haven't been able to figure out why this happens, although it doesn't seem to affect being able to import the files or load the morph targets after I've converted them. Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks! aarrgghh, your intentions certainly sound and altruistic. Might I suggest next time using a less incendiary title in the subject field when you post the message? Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks! I suggest we end this thread. I come to the Poser forum to get away from this kind of pointless debate. With a few exceptions, MaConverter allows me to download and use practically any files PC users create for Poser. If I want to wade into a Mac/PC flame war, I'll follow a link to the ZDNet columns or OSopinion. Peter (Dr Zik)

Hi Folks! IMHO, Carrera will only be good if it brings into it some of the intuitive and pleasurable ease-of-use that marked so many of the old Specular products, such as Infini-D, LogoMotion, and TextureScape, all of which I still use. Although I began my experience in 3D computer graphics with Ray Dream Designer, by version 4 I had lost patience with the program. I never really mastered the use of channels, and just barely got the hang of shaders. The single-window interface made precision placement difficult until I customized itto four views in v5 of RDS. In contrast, I learned Infini-D in under four hours. This is not a knock on MetaC: I use Bryce and poser and I get along with their interfaces just fine. This is simply an expression of hope that the spirit of Specular and what made its products so much fun to use and teach will not die. Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks! I think an interesting question is being raised here. I suspect that the majority of active Poser users are males, which may explain somewhat why the female form seems to be the commonly rendered image. But I suspect that a lot of also to do with the challenge of creating a photorealistically beautiful woman on a computer. The myriad of variations possible in body types, hair (cranial as well as pubic), skin tones (tanned and natural), breasts and even genitals (though not permitted at the site) make for a much more compelling session at one's computer than can be had with generating males images. For the last month I've been having a field day creating experimental texture maps for Traveler's Cotton Panties and Clive's Bra objects--and hopefully I'll be able to post a few of the images I've created using them before the end of the year. In short, I think the woman figures are just more fun to render--although I do object to the nudity when it seems gratuitous in context to an overall scene. Just my 2 cents and then some. Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks!! floydd, SewerRat makes some good points. Most of my animations (I'll show them somewhere soon, I promise!) are currently rendered at 15fps, although I admit that their ultimate destination is CD-ROM. By the way: you should check out > Download.com < frequently for Mac or PC shareware and freeware that might give you some basic moviemaking abilities on your computer. I'll keep checking for other sources, and of course you can e-mail me if you want to talk more one-on-one. Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks! I'm a Mac user too, and Maconverter 1.1 works just fine for most of the PC stuff I've downloaded. I have noticed one quirk, however--it changes the .obj files from text to DOS format, complete with a PC icon! Any other Mac folks experience this? I'm using OS 8.6. Peter (Dr. Zik)

Hi Folks!! floydd, you flatter me more than I deserve. There's a good bit of stuff out there--lemme give it some thought for a day or so. The timing of your question is actually good 'cause I'm researching that sort of stuff for fall classes. I'll post an answer here at the Forum or you can converse with me directly. My e-mail is DrZik@aol.com Peter (Dr. Zik)