3DNeo opened this issue on Jun 06, 2008 · 557 posts
3DNeo posted Fri, 06 June 2008 at 10:28 AM
I just read a recent thread called "Poser's Demise...." and there was too much in that topic to really address this plus it has a different topic that sort of goes in-hand with this one.
This topic about Poser's future got me thinking about what I have always wanted for at least 2+ years now. There's no way Poser will die due to the thousands of custom items you can buy for it from Daz, Renderosity, etc. You can spend thousands alone just on add-ons for V4.
But I got into the mode of thinking about the current trend of computers and software like Poser. We now have a new version of Poser "Poser Pro" released which I bought. I really does help some with render times and other light based areas for figures and some additional minor tweaks. The price is $400 or so unless you are upgrading or a Poser 7 user. I was able to buy it for $200 since I had registered Poser 7. Why mention this, for price. Some people claim Poser Pro is pricing themselves out of the base market and they may be correct to a certain point. However, that is exactly what I want to see happen and I think others will too in a certain market.
It's just like computers, there are "power users" that use programs like Dreamweaver CS3, Photoshop CS3, Poser Pro ($400), Vue 6 ultimate ($700), etc. Using programs like that REQUIRES the most powerful computers. Those computers are not "main stream" just as some of those solftware programs are not. So, why not divide the market into two areas, those that use "main stream" systems looking to play with some 3D software and start out and those that want the most cutting edge software available?
Look at it this way, most every professional computer user I know has or is making the switch to Apple Mac computers. All software that is new, like the ones mentioned above will work excellent with the current Mac OS. Plus, everyone knows about the fact you can now use "boot camp" to literally use both Windows and Mac OS on the same computer since they are now Intel based. I am NOT turning this into a Mac Vs PC thread, only to say look at the hardware and OS compared and a loaded Mac Pro will blow you away.
So, let's say you want to take the plunge and go high-end all the way. Buy a Mac Pro, load it up with 2 Terabytes of storage, get at least 8GB or more RAM and watch what you can do. Yes, spending $6,000 on a PC alone plus 24 inch monitors is not "main stream" but that's still my point about this thread and splitting the user base for hardware/software in the future.
NOTE: despite what some vendors say, most all their items work just fine on both Mac and Windows for add-ons in the market place. It is generic for their use and I won't go into this in detail but it works just fine because that's what I am doing now.
You may be thinking people like that would be using a design studio or at least programs like 3dsMax or ZBrush to do most the work. But that's wrong. A lot work from home now days and it's either a hobby or something that make money with. Plus take into account all of the content for Daz figures like V4 and there is a need to continue using this for the foreseeable future. In other words it's not going anywhere.
What I would LOVE to see is HIGH-END splits for the Daz figures and Poser software. The "entry" versions like current Daz figures and Poser going for average prices. Poser at $200-300 and Daz figures for $30-75. Make the software like Daz studio and Poser compatible with those items so entry level users can use them or high-end users can access them as well. But, make FULL HIGH-END versions of the software and figures for those with the software and hardware to use it (i.e. Poser X Pro $600-1000, Daz VX and MX figures $100-$150).
Imagine the future like this:
I hope you think some about this and I am sorry about the long post. However, I think it would be nice to hear from those that want cutting-edge type Daz/Poser software and see what others think about a future split like this. I know the mass won't go for it because it's not "mainstream" but others with HIGH-END gear will want this soon because the technology is there now to do this.
Happy rendering,
Jeff
Development on: Mac Pro 2008, Duel-Boot OS - Snow Leopard 10.6.6 &
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit, 2 x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon , 10GB
800 MHz DDR2 RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT.