Poser Figure Artist

[xplod_ldg]

eFrontier just launched Poser Figure Artist

In their own words : "Poser Figure Artist provides everything you need to replace your traditional models, gives you the tools to create amazing art finished in the style you choose, and comes complete with extensive learning tools to get you working in the magic of 3D quickly and easily."

Any comments?

[Broacher]

I'm putting my clothes back on, right now.

An innovative, but tough market mindset to crack is my guess. I might send this along to a few drawing instructors for their takes. Thanks for that lead.

[PrintDriver]

Not supported in Classic or OSX. On a Mac it must be used on a dual bootie started in 9.

[Broacher]

I do think though that in some way, this product represents another kick to the traditional illustration skillset--and subsequent remains of this market which has already been clobbered by the massive spread of stock libraries.

Will a low cost 3D figure renderer replace great hand-rendered illustration? Of course not. What it will do, however, is lower the value of everything beneath it to people and clients who cannot distinguish the differences, or who can afford to reasonably ignore the differences. Great illustration skills requires years of study and work and talent to arrive at a master level. Much like any other graphic speciality out there. Including life models. But if few can distinguish the rendering 'authenticity' these apps can and will achieve from the 'real thing', then as an illustration student keen on developing commercial rendering skills--I would be thinking about this-- a lot. The technical illustration market has already almost entirely gone to digital workflows. Digital figure work had to be the next 'logical' step.

The weird thing is that like the marketing of traditional art supplies, these products are being positioned for both the hobbyist and the 'working professional'.

Is anyone surprised that the model chosen in the product's promotional materials is a young woman? Man, if we had models like that when I trained, there's a good chance my highly objective young mind might have... wandered. Or that the studio floor would have a lot of saliva puddles to walk around.

[laslo]

Dear Broacher,

I am also an artist and I look at this software differently. It seem to speed up the generation of graphic work by allowing one to study poses, set up angles and even (God forbid) create almost finished art.
PFA will NOT replace artist, but it can sure save time and help you to make better art.
Best,
Laslo
Disclosure: I am one of the creators of PFA and work for e frontier, the company that created Poser Figure Artist.

[Broacher]

laslo,

Maybe I didn't make my position clear. You see, I do see the potential for PFA as well--including using it as a cost-effective solution to life drawing modelling budgets. And for actual figure work. Why not? When I said it would tend to create a split between clients who could tell the difference and those who couldn't, I didn't mean to imply that one or the other was better. If it works for a market, and in particular, if it helps to bring back more figure drawing back into the graphic process, I think it's a great step.

And thanks for your honest disclosure. It's appreciated.