Just to follow up: First, what's wrong with PayPal? :) It's an easy way to accept credit card payments without the "overhead" of paying for a bank or merchant-account. Second (and most importantly), a new version has been released- version 1.1. This corrects a new of "glitchy" things in version 1.0, including:

• when scanning to see if an obj file is found within a figure file: 1) the program now displays a mini-screen (with progress bar) to give the user feedback while scanning 2) includes a button to allow the user to cancel the scan process 3) when a referencing figure file is found, the entire file's path is listed (instead of listing only the file name)
• when renaming a Poser-type file, the program automatically renames the corresponding rsr AND/ OR png file (for Pro Pack users)
• when deleting a Poser-type file, the program automaticaly deletes the corresponding png file (for Pro Pack users)
• contents of folders should now be listed correctly (in alphabetical order)
• corrected two glitches when correcting "discrepancies": 1) the texture (image file) name was listed twice 2) when making a backup copy of a figure file, the program wasn't removing an older backup file (first)
• Other Poser-file types added to the "look in this" file: cm2 (camera), fc2 (face), hd2 (hand), lt2 (light) System-file types have a different icon (In fact, the new zip file now includes a list of what's changed in each version.) --John

General Tips & Information http://www.cocs.com/poser/tips.htm Using Transparency Maps- how to "cut" objects: turn the default P4 leotard into a higher-cut "workout" outfit. http://www.cocs.com/poser/transmap.htm Adjusting Texture Maps- creating make-up, highlights, and "scars" to faces. http://www.cocs.com/poser/texture.htm How to Make Reflections- creating a "mirrored" surface http://www.cocs.com/poser/reflect.htm Using Morph Targets- create your own distinct characters. http://www.cocs.com/poser/morph.htm Advanced Tutorial: using Transparency and Texture Maps to make a Hooters waitress outfit. http://www.cocs.com/poser/hooters.htm Advanced Tutorial: Animation- making the floating kick scene from The Matrix. http://www.cocs.com/poser/matrixkick.htm Creating your own Props- making .obj files in a 3-D program. http://www.cocs.com/poser/props.htm Compositing Images http://www.cocs.com/poser/compositing.htm Creating the Best-Looking Renders http://www.cocs.com/poser/bestrender.htm

Attached Link: http://www.cocs.com/poser/index.htm

Here's mine: -General tips, including a glossary of 3D/ Poser terms -Tutorials: how to make transparency maps, how to make the "floating kick" scene from The Matrix, how to make the "best looking renders", etc -all my "goodies" (free stuff) to download. -a Marketplace to purchase my for-sale stuff. --John

As long as you didn't pay anything for it, I'm sure it would be okay to convert to Poser format and offer it in the Free Stuff. Just be sure to give the original author credit for making it (and you get credit for converting it). In general, I believe that it's probably okay to re-distribute a "converted" free item as long as you don't make money off it AND you give everyone their proper credit. --John

Attached Link: http://www.cocs.com/poser/marketplace.htm

Hey, we'll have none of the POOP talk here! Besides, it's an acronym- the letters should all be in upper-case! :) As for re-thinking the name, I don't think so... it's one abbreviation no one will forget! (But, yes, I know I will get e-mails from people asking for my help with their POOP.) Anyway, it's available for sale at my website, and when approved and added it will be available here at the Marketplace. Enjoy the POOP! :-) --John

Attached Link: http://www.cocs.com/poser/marketplace.htm

All of the above posts are correct- you can not modify the names of the sub-folders under your RuntimeGeometries folder... with one exception: if you change the folder name, you MUST adjust the cr2 figure's "pointer" to match. What I mean is that you have to change the line in the cr2 file that "points" to the obj file, from: figureRes ":Runtime:Geometries:MillieClothes:Dresses:LongDress:bldress43.obj" to: figureRes ":Runtime:Geometries:MyNewFolder:bldress43.obj" However, this would require loading the cr2 file into a text editor, manually adjusting the lines of code, and then hope that you did it correctly (or you will have completely *fouled* your cr2 file). Of course, there is an easier way! I was going to announce this in another forum, but this seems like as good a time as any! I have just finished developing the *Poser Object Organizer Program*- a program that lets YOU, the user, control all the file referencing for Poser files. Want to see if you have all the referenced files for that cr2 you just downloaded? Click on the file and the program will display the obj and image files. Click on these "referenced files" and the program will find their location on your hard drive. And if the referenced file's folder doesn't match the actual folder, the program will correct the "discrepancy". Of course, the progam will make a backup of your cr2 file BEFORE any changes are made to it (this is a default "preference" setting that can be turned on or off). Or, suppose you want to see if a certain obj file is even used by any figure files. Just click on that file and the program will "scan" through the figure files in your RuntimeLibrary folder to find anything that references it. If the obj file isn't found in any figure files, you can delete it (and save hard drive space)! Just follow the link (above) to my Marketplace page, where you can purchase the program. *OR* you can wait until it is approved for sale, here in the Renderosity Marketplace, to purchase it. Or, you can read about my program in the Products Showcase Forum at: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12413&Form.ShowMessage=648354 --John

(trying not to drool on the keyboard!) We have a winner... well, two actually: 1) a guy from GMX.net (who forgot to include his Renderosity name in the e-mail he sent me) 2) Little_Dragon- for sending me an e-mail AND posting the links to find the stuff AND posting the great picture. They will boht be receiving a copy of my new Poser Object Organizer Program- for sale on my website in the next few hours. In fact, check back later, in the Product Showcase Forum, for the official announcement. Again, thanks for the help! --John

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=5174

Of course, in my opinion, the best (and easiest) way to create a MAT Pose is to use the MAT Pose Applier program. You don't have to fool around with manually editting cr2 files (the figures' "material defintions" come with the program) and you can create MAT Poses for just 1 or 2 materials (such as only the eyes or fingernails). And I'm not just saying this because I made the program. :) --John

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=5174

To help answer everyone's questions: Both Jcleaver and gladiator are correct about my MAT Pose Applier- when you import a figure, the program does "scan" the figure file for any materials. The "scanning" process was originally developed a number of months ago... before DAZ started releasing their super-huge cr2 files (such as Mike2 and Stephanie). So, even though the program appears to "hang", it is actually "scanning" away. Of course, the time it takes to complete the scanning will vary by the file's size and the speed and memory of your PC. (In some cases, if there isn't enough memory available, you could get a "out of memory" or "overflow" or "out of stack space" error.) I am in the process of investigating and developing a faster (and better) method of "scanning" files. As soon as I'm able to finish this, I'll release the next version of the program (which, as usual, will be free for everyone who purchased an earlier version). --John

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=5174

Actually, these types of questons are better directed at me, the artist who made the program (just click on my name to send me an IM or e-mail). Yes, people here in the forums can help, but it's always better to get information from the "source". Anyway, to answer your question- Michael 2 is built into the database already (but Stephanie is not). Mike, Mike 2, Vicky, Vicky 2, and others are in the "Millenium People" category. In fact, since there are over 250 figures (and over 50 hair objects) in the database, you shouldn't need to re-import any of the older figures. All you have to do is look for them in the categories... and move them to another one, if you like. The reason that the program seems to "lock up" is that it is actually "scanning" through the Mike 2 cr2 file and creating the list of materials. However, the Mike 2 cr2 file is over 20M in size! The "scanning" process will take a long time or it may cause an "overflow" error or a "out of stack space" error. In any case, I have been looking into a better way to do this process and it will be corrected in the next version. --John

At the risk of getting "flamed" (or starting an ever bigger debate), I'm going to jump in here- Why do we so many nudes? Why do we see so much of the same stuff? Why do so many people use the "add-on-of-the-day"- the Xurge body armor, or fairies, or the latest figure in their image? (Yes, I know these are excellent products, but does "everybody and his brother" really need to post their picture of these things?) Before long, the gallery becomes one, big advertisement for these products! The simple anser: it's "easy" and it takes almost no thought or imagination. Slap a figure into a scene, slap on the "body armor", apply a pre-made pose, add pre-made lights, render the scene, and you have "art" ready to be added to the gallery for all the world to compliment you on. Where's the "artistry"? Where's the "craftsmanship"? A while back, I was thinking about posting a message along these lines, but I was afraid I might "offend" someone. With Poser, we have the ability to create ANY kind of artwork with people. We can make historical pictures from prehistoric days (and use the Poser dinosaurs) to images of today to images of the future. We can make political cartoons, ilustrations, or portraits. We can make copies of famous cartoons (such as The Far Side), or superheroes, or even our own comics. Yet, what do we do with this tool that we have? We make nude pictures of Vicky. The point is this: USE YOUR IMAGINATION. Sorry if I have to "yell" it, but maybe it will get the point across. Show some creativity! Make your art say something! A picture of "Mike in a fighting pose" (Mike posed in front of a white background) is not using your imagination... in fact, it's saying, "Look how lazy I am- I can pose Mike in a pre-made pose, but I couldn't even think up a clever title." Your art should make people think about what you've made. Make people laugh or cry or yell at you. Provoke them. Make them think about things. Make your own comments on the world. (Then again, I could just be "preaching to the choir" here in the forum. And, yes, I recommend that people "do I as do"- go check out my own gallery and see the variety of my images. You'll notice that I have no full-nude images and that my topics range from humor to political to super-heroes.) --John

To further clear things up- 1) I apologize if the title of the item wasn't clear. You are right- even though the readme file states that the "Save" button is disabled, the user would have to download the file first. 2) I believe that people should definitely talk about things in a public forum. But, people should also try to get their "complaints" handled by the artist/ creator beforehand. 3) At last count, the "Test" version had been downloaded over 980 times, yet I did not receive one e-mail asking why it was called a "test" version or why the file size was so large. And as for the comment, "I don't frequent the marketplace", that's too bad- there is a LOT of excellent stuff there. And when you purchase items from the Marketplace, you support the artist AND this site- Renderosity gets a percentage of all items sold, to maintain the very pages you are reading. And as for the comment, "You can never win argument with a customer"- that is very true and I agree with you. However, rather than trying to start an argument he can't win, the artist may decide to stop producing items (for sale and/ or for free). --John

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=5174

I guess I should have jumped in here when I uploaded my MAT Pose Applier "Test" version to the Free Stuff section. As some of you have discovered, the "Save MAT Pose" button is disabled, which is actually why it is labeled as the *TEST* version. The FULL version has been on sale in the Marketplace for a while now. I apologize for the "bad shortcut" issue and it will be fixed shortly (possibly by the time you read this). As for some of the comments: --"Has anyone played with the 10meg program in freestuff. It is such a much larger program than anything I've seen, and with a title like "test", it gives me pause." 1) This is the *TEST* version of my MAT Pose Applier program (version 2.2) for sale in the Marketplace. The large file size is due to the fact that this is the full "installer". 2) The word "test" means that it is an "evaluation" version not that it is a "beta-test" version. If you like the program, please purchase it at the Marketplace. --"I testted this for for virus and it seems clean, but MatApplier is definitely in the beta-test category." 1) Of course the program is virus-free! 2) Actually, the program has been on sale for a while now and it has been fully tested. Version 1 (and even Version 2.0 had their bugs and glitches, but this version, 2.2 has has fixed those issues.) In fact, the number of satisfied users is growing with every purchase. Can I ask what you mean by this comment? --"Here's a screen shot, kinda rough around the edges, but might be useful." And I'm not sure what this comment means- the screen shot (above) is only the "Basic" tab (where you can select and apply one texture for the entire figure). Have you clicked on the "Advanced Tab" screen to see the more detailed Materials Editor? Have you read the readme file? --"I guess the obvious question then is..does it create a reliable MAT file?" The obvious answer is, yes, the full version does create a "reliable MAT file". For example, I used my program to create the MAT Poses for the two Tron characters (available in my Free Stuff) and a number of other artists will be using it in both their free stuff and their Marketplace items. As for the comparison between my program and CR2Edit- my program is a full-fledged, MAT Pose-only program. CR2Edit is a full-fledges, CR2 editor/ MAT Pose/ etc. program. My program is $20.00 and upgrades/ updates are free. CR2Edit is $50.00 for a full version and $15.00 for updates (the last time I checked their website- the prices may have changed). I don't believe either program is a direct competitor with the other- they both do their own thing. And not to jump on top of anyone, but ALL of the information about the program can be found in the readme.txt file AND on the product's page in the Marketplace (the link can be also be found in the readme file). I apologize for the "short cut" issue, but please do not "trash" something if you haven't read the "manual" or have no idea how to use it. And as I look at the above-list of posters, I notice that **NO-ONE** (yes, *NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON*) sent me an e-mail (or an IM) asking questions about the program. I suppose this means that it is easier to complain about an item than it is to ask the artist/ creator for help. --John

Here's a possible compromise- If you can't do "topical" galleries, what about adding a new pull-down box of classifications (on the "upload image" screen)? This way, the classification would be displayed under the thumbnail so people would know what kind of image they would be seeing (a large number of thumbnails don't give a good idea of what the image is). People could also do a search on this field (in all galleries) to see only those images. But, artists would still have to post their image in one of the "application" galleries. Of course, I don't know how easy or hard it would be to do something like this. :) --John

Attached Link: http://world.altavista.com/

Here's an idea for translating: You can go to Altavista's translation site and it will translate a message for you. I believe there is some way of incorporating this feature onto a website, but it may be too difficult given the design of the site. Anyway, would it be difficult to add a "translate" button somewhere that points to Altavista's site? --John