I am starting to develop some stories that I've been writing that I would like to bring to life using Poser 7. However, I need some advice and help on getting started. First, let me say I am NOT a REALLY talented artist. Mainly, I want to focus on writing my stories. That said, I have learned some on how to use Poser 7, do my own morphs and poses, add backgrounds, do lighting for a scene and some other basic skills I will need for my characters. But, I do not have the time or energy to do it all and therefore I'm wondering how I will bring MY WORLD to life for the story.

Therefore:

1. What software can I use or need for generating backgrounds for my world? I would like very nice looking artwork for it that is detailed and rich. Does that mean something like Vue or another program to generate the world?

2. What types of packages are available that will let me add scene content into my world? In other words, I don't want or have time to make all of it myself so I will need things like forests, water, buildings, sci-fi stuff, magic items, etc. Basically, a lot of props for my scene in a wide variety.

3. I want to tell it sort of comic-book style, only in 3D. Any tools or advice there on where to get the software I will need for such? I have Photoshop, Poser 7, ZBrush 3.1 so far but like I said, really want to focus on writing stories so if I can buy items/packages for creating my worlds that would be what I need.

Thanks for any help or advice.

I would recommend Bryce and Carrara for scenes and animations.

First of all, there is no ONE simple software that will answer all your needs.

Some people (me, for that matter), stick to one thing (Poser 7 in my case) and build the world for their stories there. Photoshop helps with postwork later on.

Others render background in Vue or Bryce and then compose the scene in Poser.

Others export a scene from Poser to Vue or Bryce and there they render the thing.

Basically, as many Poser comic creators, as many ways of doing the actual comic. Go around the web. See which freebies or products look like those You could use for your comic. Make a list. See what software those freebies or products are for. See if it's affordable.

Search some more.

Looking at other people's Poser comics helps - if you see anything you like, you can always ask how it is done and what did they use. They will answer, most of the time.

No question, the best for outdoor scenes is Vue6, even film Companies are using it because of how good it is!
Some major landscape shots in Pirates of the Caribbean were done in Vue!
If it's comics you're after doing then you might find Comic Book Creator useful, it's available here or it was!! If not, you can get it at planetwide games.

Have a look at Comic Life (www.plasq.com) if you are interested in comics. A very useful tool.

Mike

I agree with TheFixer :)

Bryce, Carrara and Vue can all directly import Poser characters, and then you cna make backgorunds, they also render a lot better than Poser does.

You can also convert renders into cartoon style in several ways:

Poser has in built cartoon ability.

Carrara has an add on plug in that can make cartooning, a  "cell shader" effect as it's known.

Vue, you can either use special cell shader materials in Vue, or like Bryce, you can export a normal picture, then convert it in 2D to give a cartoon like appearance.

Or you cna render in Poser, as cartoon, export image with transaprent background as .png or .tif or .psd and import into a 2d app and composite over a 3D background.

This is my web comic (or graphic novel I think is better description) :
http://www.silverblades-suitcase.com/wildspace/index.htm
:)

Interesting style you have in your novel Silverblade33, neat!!

Quote - Interesting style you have in your novel Silverblade33, neat!!

Cheers, mate! :)
I used the INDIA INK plugin from FLaming Pear. it's very nice, trick is, in 2d app,  to quadruple your picture size or make it at least 3000 pixels, use the plug in, then scale back down, so you don't loose too much definition ;) 

I use olivier's art materials (from runtimedna) in poser 7 for the toony look. If you have vue you can bring your tooned figures into scenes by keeping poser shaders. Or you can make a scene in vue and use it as a background in poser. sometimes it looks good to blur the background, Love esther

Thanks for all the replies on this. I should've said that despite doing a comic-book style story that  what I am going to do is more along the lines of realistic renders or at least to the point of not the cartoon look like the Poser option has. I'm not going for realism since my renders will be mostly sci-fi and fantasy based, just more real looking like V4.1 using highres textures, lighting and so fourth.

I am leaning tword Vue, but most of the packs for it is for the "infinite" software which is $700 (YIKES!). But I would like to get away with the espirit package for about $200 but it seems like most items for Vue 6+ are for the REAL HIGH END package only. :( Any thoughts on what you use if you have Vue?

Bryce seems a little more appealing at the price level and will at least let me get my feet wet some. But I don't know rather just to bite the bullet and learn ONE software package for try Bryce then Vue if that's what I need.

Also, these packages look GREAT, especially Vue for OUTSIDE scenery, skies and planets. But, what about inside renders like a house room (i.e. living room, bed room, kitchen, etc.)? I looked and didn't see many packages for such things either in Vue or Bryce. Any thoughts there?

Thanks, I'll let everyone know which program I go with once I decude,

Yep you can rendeer indoor scenes with vue. Love esther

**estherau -

Can you point me to some indoor scene content for vue? I looked here and didn't really find any rooms or such for inside. I'm looking for a package that either has or will let me build an indoor room like a living room. What I would like is something I can use for either an indoor cottage or other type of interior. Are there any good packages for constructing interiors in Vue 6 you would recommend?
**

you just bring poser content into vue. You can import a pz3 and then you can go back to poser, change something in your scene, and then vue gives you a message sayng the poser scene was altered do you want it reimported. Love esther '

You can also import .obj and .3dsfile sinto vue, bryce or carrara :)

Lots of freebies out on net and here in Renderosity.
though if a COMMERCIAL project you need ot make sure it's legit: when in doubt, buy it for commercial stuff, from here, or DAZ3D  or the like.

DAZ3D is a must, free Mike and Vicky models.

3DNeo: Head over to my gallery here, most of my renders from last year onwards are done in Vue6Inf with imports from Poser, there are quite a few indoor ones!
If you can afford it go for Infinite, it'll be worth it and cheaper in the long run!
If you go for one of the lesser packs like Esprit for instance, you may find you want to buy this module or that module especially fpr eco-systems and the price will go up anyway so go for Infinite from the start!