Poser 5

[Mrvile]

I got a PC Connection catalogue in the mail (who knows where it came from, I don't remember ordering from them) but anyway I saw this program for about 200 bucks called Poser 5. It's a 3D graphic design/rendering and animation program that doesn't quite cost as much as 3DSMax. Anyway I'm a 2D artist in high school (pencil paper etc) and since 2D doesn't really get you anywhere in life, I was thinking about looking into 3D graphics design. But since I'd be a beginner, would Poser 5 be a good place to start? I looked over the website and it didn't look to complicated, not too big an investment (in case I don't like it), and still looked pretty powerful. Anyone here with past experience, or any suggestions for a beginner? Thanks!

 

[Mrvile]

Hmm I also looked at Shade 7, which is full blown graphics design for anything, not just character design. They both cost about the same. Shade 7 looks a lot more like 3DSMax.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You could always work on modelling in a game mod context, there is that free 3d tool shipped with many mod kits (by the 3dsmax folks IIRC). That also lets you show your models in use with easy real-time rendering instead of doing your own slow but more realistic rendering frame-by-frame.

 

[Mrvile]

Hmm, tell me more about these mod kits?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Most first-person shooters, 3D RPGs, and many other games now either ship with a construction kit / mod kit or have it avaialbe for downloading from their website. The colector's DVD edition of Unreal Tounrnament 2004 even includes tutorial videos.

www.GameSpy.com has a bunch of sub-sites devoted to specific games, and most of those list some of the mod projects being worked on (most of which never get finished though). www.GamaSutra.com might also have some useful info.

I work as a Windows application software developer, but haven't gotten around to doing any modding myself. After writing code all day I'd usually rather play a game than program it.

Another possibility is to work on machina -- movies created using game engines -- rather than models for a mod project.

 

[Schadenfreude]

GMax is a toned down version of 3DSMAX for game mods - it's a free download. You might also want to check out Maya Personal edition - and one more thing - you're an imbecile for thinking that "2D doesn't really get you anywhere in life".

 

[mysticfm]

(Note: I only have Poser 4, but I don't think Poser 5 has changed meaningfully in any of the ways I'm going to be addressing below.)

Poser is not a generalized 3D modeling application of the same type as 3DS Max, not at all. It's specifically tailored to do a good job of creating, tweaking, posing and (to a lesser extent) rendering human or other living characters, but there is practically no modeling capability whatsoever.

I do like Poser, and it can be a useful 2nd 3D app when used in conjunction with a more generalized modeling/rendering program (I use it in conjunction with trueSpace and Bryce). But I really don't think Poser would be a good choice for your first/only 3D app.

 

[Mrvile]

lol Jehovah, I was kidding. I just figured if I expanded my abilities I'd have more options in life.

Anyway, the only editing program I ever worked with was UT's level editor, UnrealEdit or something like that, which was ok but I'm not really into making levels and such. I like drawing characters and whatnot, so I think a character editor would be fun. Dave I'll look into a mod kit for Unreal 2k4 (since I have the game), and Jehovah I'll look into Gmax and Maya.

I also might download a trial version of Poser to see how it works.

One more thing, do you really need a powerful computer to use these? I have a nice comp (in my sig) that would probably work, but the motherboard right now is on the road (somewhere being RMA'd), will any of these programs work on my other comp? Hewlett Packard P4 2.53ghz, Geforce 440mx, 512mb ram.

 

[notfred]

Poser is a peice of trash on the level of Bryce.

Download Maya Personal Learning Edition. It's free, and it's some of the best 3d software available in the world.

 

[Mrvile]

Noted notfred and mystic, I'm downloading Maya right now.

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Hmm I also looked at Shade 7, which is full blown graphics design for anything, not just character design. They both cost about the same. Shade 7 looks a lot more like 3DSMax.

If I remember correctly Shake only work on Apple and Linux not on Windows.

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I got a PC Connection catalogue in the mail (who knows where it came from, I don't remember ordering from them) but anyway I saw this program for about 200 bucks called Poser 5. It's a 3D graphic design/rendering and animation program that doesn't quite cost as much as 3DSMax. Anyway I'm a 2D artist in high school (pencil paper etc) and since 2D doesn't really get you anywhere in life, I was thinking about looking into 3D graphics design. But since I'd be a beginner, would Poser 5 be a good place to start? I looked over the website and it didn't look to complicated, not too big an investment (in case I don't like it), and still looked pretty powerful. Anyone here with past experience, or any suggestions for a beginner? Thanks!

You might want to try Gmax (3DMax Lite) and it is free.

 

[mysticfm]

Originally posted by: notfred
Poser is a peice of trash on the level of Bryce.

Download Maya Personal Learning Edition. It's free, and it's some of the best 3d software available in the world.

As long as you don't actually want to create any graphics for real-world use, I'm sure the free Learning Edition is great. But I use Bryce to make some graphics for real world purposes. If I could afford Maya I'm sure I'd be using it instead, but it's out of reach.

Bryce isn't that bad. It's not on the level of Maya or other similar programs, but it can certainly be used to create some compelling graphics.

A good artist makes the best of what he's got, while a poor artist blames his tools.