Aspiring poser artists, take note!

[Bhael]

I just noticed that Poser 9 is on sale for 70 bucks. That might be a bit heavy for some of you still, but anyone looking to get a legitimate copy should definitely check it out.

Yes, of course you could be someone who pirates, but considering how fantastic a product they have made to allow us such art for our fantasies, I would hope some might buy it. And no, I don't have stock with them. I'm a teacher and dirt poor!

http://www.contentparadise.com/productd ... x?id=21415

[Arthur]

I recently downloaded DAZ Studio, but haven't played with it much.
Is DAZ Studio or Poser 9 better for a newbie? I'm mainly interested
in creating still pictures rather than animations and would like to get
decent results without a steep learning curve.

[Bhael]

For beginning, Daz is good as it is free, but Poser will be better in almost every way for realism and long-goal. It would be roughly similar to the differences between getting a cheapy drill from target versus a nice one from a hardware store - it depends on use and where you plan on ending up; are you planning to continue learning and will one day be a trademan going to the job site with a little black and decker drill or are you just a weekend fixer-up'er who needs to hang a coat rack once every 4 years?

[Nyghtfall]

DAZ is ideal for newbies by virtue of the fact that it's free. I know a few enormously talented artists who use it exclusively. They all post here.

[Arthur]

... are you planning to continue learning and will one day be a trademan going to the job site with a little black and decker drill or are you just a weekend fixer-up'er who needs to hang a coat rack once every 4 years?

I would be playing with it on weekends just for fun. I liked manipulating photos using Paint Shop Pro several years ago. In terms of cost, it would make sense to continue using DAZ until I get a better feel for how extensively I plan to use poser software. On the other hand, I don't want to invest time learning DAZ only to switch to Poser later and have to start all over again learning a new poser program. I'm OK with paying $70. I really like the attention to details such as freckles or the textures of a wool sweater or wood paneling that appear in Bambino Nero and Bhael's pictures.

[kelli]

freckles are very important.

[Bhael]

Most of those things like freckles are available in either one, you just have to buy the model/skin or make your own. Owning poser won't really help in that regard. If you are at the tinkering stage still, I would say daz unless you have money to spare. If you are serious with your tinkering and goals though, it might be a good investment!

[Arthur]

freckles are very important.

I just realized I don't need DAZ or Poser to get freckles that look
good. All I have to do is look at a picture of Kelli.

[DaleCar]

I use Daz exclusively. Both have there advantages, and a learning curve. But adz is generally considered easier to learn. Poser also has a lot of stuff that you don't need if your just planning to make pictures. Most people don't need the hair room, where you design hair. Or the cloth room, where you design clothes. And they take up your computers system resources.
You can get professional results with either program if thats your goal.

Dale

[Arthur]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I've decided to continue learning DAZ rather than switch to Poser.