I'm still pretty new at this stuff, and I keep bumping up against 'sticker shock.' That being the case, I was wondering if folks would be interested in posting their opinions about the various options, i.e., DAZ, PoserWorld, PoserStyle (and all the others I've either forgotten for the moment or haven't heard about yet). Where are the best models, textures, etc., etc., What's worth paying for, and what's (maybe) not? Just for example, I would love to have an elephant. DAZ has one that looks good -- but for $30, even for Platinum members. Being such a newbie, how do I know I can't find something as good or better, and maybe for less? And is PoserWorld worth the subscription cost? It certainly seems a lot higher than PoserStyle's ... And on and on. The questions might never end. The point is, recommendations. I need some advice, if more experienced Poser users are willing to give it -- i.e., not just what is available, but what's really top-notch, worth the money, very cool -- that sort of thing. That is, if you're willing to part with your (I'm sure) hard-won wisdom.

Been in that boat, asked the same questions. I wanted that elephant so bad, but I considered it too high priced. BUT in the world of 3d models $30 is CHEAP, I think we get spoilded in the poser market by high quality low priced items that when we see that high sticker price, we gag. Another thing to mention is that if it's higher priced there is a possibility that not a lot of people will have that item and and images that maybe rendered would be a little more interesting becuase there would not be a blethera of images using the same model. just a take on it. Poserworld is SOOO worth it if your looking for clothing items. all the old CDs are online, more and more stuff comes out. best of the club subscription sites I belong to. I just joined Poserstyle so I don't have a take on it yet. I joined for the back archive of quality stuff. I looked around the various market places and there were 6 items at Poserstyle that I would have had to pay a lot of money for, got those items for $5 each buy paying for a membership, and got a TON (92 items) as well. Poserstyle says that the coming months are gunna be really cool and lots of stuff is coming, we'll see. I'm hapy to pay $30 and get 92 useful items. The Daz Platinum club is great though it's a high price for the subscription (I joined when it was $69), their new pricing monthly charge makes it less sticker shock. the quality the variety, and the savings on other daz products makes it very worth it. I've saved over $1200 in this past year. I boils down to how much do you bunget for poser, what are you looking for, and how much is that worth to you. I'd love all the high quality poser animals but for me, paying those prices is out of my league. we all have different limits and needs. Unfortunatly there is little competition between poser sellers. I mean, that the poser animal niche is covered by a great creator of high quality items and not a lot of other people are in that modeling niche. what I think is a horrible model, clothing item etc someone else may think its the best thing in the world. I think it just boils down to the individual and their needs. that's my 2 cents, love to hear what others are thinking. a review site where we could post reviews of products may be a cool idea, though I'd hate to read all the negatives and have someone slammed. Amazon.com has reader reviews. why shouldn't poser.

Attached Link: http://www.runtimedna.com

Hi :), as newbie I also advice you runtime dna www.runtimedna.com :) Great Freebies, beautiful products and Real Deals :) BYE BYE .::An-i-mA::.

The best buy is Poserworld, hands down. The year's membership gives you almost every imaginable style of clothing there is, for most all of the major figures. Not to mention tons of different scenes and props. It is worth 3 or 4 times the current cost. Just be sure you've got high speed access to download everything, there's so much of it. What's more Steve adds things a couple of times a week, and he tries to vary his new stuff as much as possible. One week some V2 AND V3 things, the next week some Mike things, with maybe a couple of new scenes. He also makes more for the Millenium Kids, both the boys and girls, than anyone else including Daz. He's even doing stuff ofr Konishi. Platinum Club is great for beginners because of all the old stuff they added to it. The changing fantasy suits and other early releases from Daz make the subscription worthwhile. The newer stuff isn't nearly as interesting as the older stuff, but for a buckninetynine a pop, it can't be beat. Add to that the discount on Daz original items, and it's a wonderful deal. I saved a ton of money when V3 came out through Platinum Club. Poserstyle is also a good buy. It doesn't have the volume of Poserworld, but the quality is excellent. Thip does some of the best modeling work on clothing there is, and his stuff is always very versatle. Renapd is also doing texturing there, and no one can do it better (she used to work with Steve at Poserworld, and her stuff there is wonderful). So, instead of buying a few expensive items, get a subscription or two and stock up on a LOT of great stuff. My Poserstyle subscription ran out, and now I've got to go renew (today, as a matter of fact). I'm skipping lunch this week to pay for it.

What... nobody has mentioned Traveler's Props Club? I think a new subscription is $25... for that you get the last couple of month's worth of goodies (sometimes more if he hasn't pruned the list) and a new download every Monday. You never know what the download will contain (it is like a Christmas box). One week it was a wizard's altar with almost a dozen other items included. One week it was gorgeous luna moth wings. Demon thrones, high-tech armor, pill bottles, billboards, sci-fi envirnments, hot-air balloons, medieval clothing, chickadees, hair, and an Ode to a Grecian Urn. (I'm kidding on the last: he provided the vase and expects us to provide the poetry?) The quality is very high. (You can go to RDNA and download a lightset and a couple of props out of the plethora he has posted there to test out his stuff.) I've been a member for almost 3 years and it is well worth it. Besides, it makes Monday MUCH better. :) Mecom4D under various names has been problematical for the subscribers, although I believe the quality to be good. I didn't subscribe to the Platinum Club because I'd already purchased most of Anton's stuff. There are some things in there that I would like, but it isn't compelling since I don't have V3. Props Guild went subscription last year. It is an excellent repository of a large selection of props, but I'm not sure how much updating they do. You'll find that people here have varying tastes which also reflects upon which sites they like. I'd rather have authenticity, but many other people prefer prettiness and glitz. Your mileage may vary. Carolly

Poserworld- Just gotta have that. Worth every unit of monitary value. Platiun club- Worth it, and with the daz discounts it does pay for itself.

If you want free..go to the 3d links forum here..I've just put up a txt file that can be converted to html with a simple rename (change .txt to .htm, then load from your browser), all the links become clickable, and there's free stuff on many of them (all 2,000 or so..;)..ok, it's not as good as others may have, draconian or what..;) but it's functional. There's also some spendy stuff as well..have to recommend Daz And Runtime DNA as well, but Sams' 3d and Baumgarten Enterprises, Kozaburo's sites, Phil C's..the list goes on and on (I should know..I had to code it..;) Enjoy

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I am going to have to think for a while where to put my money, so to anyone who has any other thoughts, please don't be shy ... ;) One thing that bothers me, though, is how many (most?, all?) of those who sell these models make the license agreement non-transferable. If you decide to change careers, hobbies, or priorities, or sell your 'business,' you can usually sell your license for AutoCAD, for PhotoShop, for Vue, for Poser, for almost every digital product you have ever bought. But apparently you cannot sell or transfer your 3d model licenses? Even if you give up Poser and digital graphics altogether and spend all the rest of your life and free time and energy working as a janitor, drinking beer, or trading stocks or something? For a 'hobby' that can get pretty darn expensive, this nontransferable thing hardly seems like a very fair deal to me. But what do I know? I'm a newbie. So if you have any thoughts about all that, let's hear em. But, anyway, I guess all the expense and time invested will help keep me out of trouble. Thanks again for the comments and recommendations so far.