A quick start to good costume renderings and figures for 3D scenic
models!
In the past two or three years, Poser by MetaCreations
has become a common tool in the arsenal of those designers who choose to
use computers. We have found that it is also very beneficial to those
who prefer more traditional methods.
The basic idea behind Poser is that the user is presented with a
3D human body model that can be moved into most any pose. ( Be careful,
the form is not limited to realistic body movements) All by itself teh
program has little value to the typical designer. However,
a rendered picture of Poser figures, nude or clothed in basic costume styles,
can then be exported into a favorite paint program. The 3D model
itself can be imported into a computer scenic model, saving hours of time
in creating life-like figures. Poser exports to several formats
including DXF, 3DS, and 3DMF. The drama masks on our home page were
created in Poser then exported to RayDream Designer where they were outfitted
with head-mounted displays!
For those that prefer to render by hand, poser drawings can be printed
in outline or wireframe. Put your favorite paper into a printer
and print any pose you desire with great anatomical accuracy. You
can then paint over the initial drawing and hide any trace of the computer
asssitance.
The interface is unique. Remodeled after the interface first
made popular in BRYCE, most functionshave high-tech looking, virtual controllers,
buttons, joysticks, pop-up, slide-down and slide-over consoles. Some
of our gang like these controls and others find them a distraction, lacking
in sensitivity. Poser does offer alternative controls for many functions
and it is often easier and more presise to use the sliding scale controls
instead of the more obvious on screen joysticks. Later
versions of the program also allow the user the easily zoom in an head,
hands, etc and choose from pre-posed hand gestures and facial expressions.
DesignWorkshop sells for around $250. Educational users
can find it discounted at education resellers such as journyed.com
You can also save some money by buying ina a bundel with other MetaCreations
software.
Mark Reaney
Back
to the i.e.VR Home Page