Customer Reviews

Poser 4 Pro Pack f/x and Design

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Richard Shrand's book is a must have for any Poser Pro Pack user. It is written in a style that conveys the author's knowledge without condescending to the reader, and is not so technical that a reader will turn away in utter confusion and helplessness after the third page ....

I spent the last week reading the book every night. As an intermediate to advanced Poser user there are tips and tricks and explanations in that book, enriching my knowledge of Poser immensely so that my pursuits as a texture map maker and 3d digital artist, who's main tool in the creative process is using all things Poser, becomes much simpler and more easily understood. For new users, this book will put several easily grasped concepts at your fingertips.

There are two informative and revealing Forewards by both CuriousLabs, makers of the Poser and Poser Pro Pack Software, and DAZ3D Productions, the creators of the finest models available for Poser today. It displays fine examples of work from some of the best artists and technicians in the 3d world today.

Richard covers with great ease and understanding the brilliance of Poser Pro Pack's features including Setup Room, one of the software's hottest features, where bones are added to make a model fully posable and ready to be animated within Pro Pack itself, or by importing it into 3d Studio Max and Lightwave for rendering, seamless integration between Poser Pro Pack and 3D Studio Max and Lightwave, and its web capabilities in such applications as Flash and Viewpoint, and, in conjunction with John Brugioni, the abilities of Python scripting, a way, as Richard so aptly describes "to go under the hood of Poser Pro Pack and create all new features and effects".

In addition there are two appendices, one that puts the reader in touch with how to use the web to find anything poser offered, and one with special effects like radiosity and lens flare.

This book is then capped off with a CD Rom that is packed to the brim with demo softwares, models, textures, and demonstrations and tutorials.

It is a Poser Pro Pack bible for users worldwide interested in learning the ins and outs of Poser Pro Pack, from the beginning to advanced level, written in a clear and understandable style, with a certain off-hand humor that creates an open channel in the relationship between reader and author.

This is the only worthwhile book available at this writing...for anyone looking for some help with Poser 4.0. Admittedly (as the title states), Schrand focuses much of the book on the Poser Pro Pack, an expensive but very useful add-on to the base product. But he devotes half the book to explaining and demonstrating basic and intermediate tasks, and his examples are clear and easy to follow. The CD is chock full of useful gadgets and gimcracks.

I didn't read it as a beginner, but I'm familiar with a lot of beginner's books, and I think this one will get you started in Poser and keep enhancing your knowledge and growth as you master the software.

I think this book is worth having for the price. It does have some tutorials and offers insight to the mediocre Poser user. I learned a few things but it is not the vast tome of understanding I had expected. Still, if you are grappling with some of the more advanced concepts of Poser pro pack, I'd say you probably should get this book. It may shed some light on a few things for you. Don't expect to be Phil C after reading this one though. ;>
Hydra

I just browsed the book and found it not very 'pro' related. Hence, does not tackle larger and in depth issues of the pro part of the pro pack to Poser. I do not know of another book. If anyone does know please contact me. Not many color examples. There are only 12 pages of color in a 416 page book. There should be more color where lighting and color are reletive to an image creation software book. There is more information and overlap of Poser 4 issues than the Pro Version.

Chad Smith is noted as an Author. His name does not even show up in the credits of the first chapter.

I would re-consider purchasing book. I am also thinking about returning it.

While this book covers the basic of Poser, and some advanced features it does not go past what is offered in manual. In sense I feel it is just a retelling of what was offered for free.

I just browsed the book and found it not very 'pro' related. Not many color examples. There are only 12 pages of color in a 416 page book. There should be more color where lighting and color are reletive to an image creation software book. There is more information and overlap of Poser 4 issues than the Pro Version.

I would re-consider purchasing book. I am also thinking about returning it.