Hello.  I recently purchased Poser 7 and then proceeded to join Renderosity and have been going through the site to learn as much as I can. I am primarily a hobbyist. I have a number of questions that I am hoping the more experienced users can address.

 

1. Achieving Realism

 

My understanding is that realism in Poser 7 has to do with the model used (I have V4 and M3 with a number of character sets as well), the lighting set up, and the render output settings chosen.  I am using the render settings discussed in another post about realism.  Although my final renders have gotten slower and improved somewhat, my characters still don’t have that “punch” that I am seeing in some of the other work on this site, both in the galleries and in the promo materials for products.

 

For example, I purchased HC design’s Alexandra for V4 because I liked the skin tone that was shown in the promo packet. I seem to be unable to recreate that look.  I am wondering … is it a matter of lighting and the render settings or am I missing something with regard to postwork?

 

Finally, with regard to this issue, the faces of my characters, as well as their bodies seem to “perfect.”  I am considering picking up some of the “real skin” type add-ons that are available.  A good idea? Is that a step in the right direction toward achieving that real look. Or can that be done with just the base models and the proper lighting and render settings? I don’t want to be limiting myself toward this goal because I am using the wrong model as it were.

 

2. Lighting in Poser 7

 

How closely does Poser 7’s lighting system mimic real world photographic lighting. I notice reference to the standard 3-light portrait set up.  Does Poser do a good job of mimicking this? What about high key lighting?

 

3. Poke Through

 

This is a big problem for me with regard to V4, particularly when I use some of the add-on character sets.  I know to conform the clothes to her, to try and scale the clothes, and to make the underlying body part invisible. I am also aware that I can “magnetize the clothes.”  Is there anything that can be done about this? Also, after conforming the clothes, what is the next “trick” I should try … magnetizing? Resizing the clothes? Making the underlying part invisible?

 

4. Hair

 

I am not yet skilled enough to use the poser hair room; however, I continue to difficulties with the hair. I have purchased a number of hair sets (Cynx, Sigi, Ampersad, Embrace).  Some of them are okay, but I still don’t get the sense of “real hair.” Is that even possible without using the hair room? Any suggestions regarding getting more realistic hair would be appreciated?

 

Thank you in advance.