This beginner's walk-through guide will take you through some of the basic Poser features and techniques that are used to create artistic 3D renders.  Although this guide uses the Poser Pro 2010 user interface, the basic features are common in all Poser versions which means that everything here can be applied to older versions of Poser.  Please visit our store to get detailed video versions that show step-by-step, the different elements and techniques that can be used to create art with Poser.  Our tutorial DVDs provide an easy way to learn the beginner and intermediate features and techniques found in Poser.

 

 

The 7 Basics

In this guide we'll look at 7 basic areas of the Poser user interface that you should focus on. These areas are shown in the image below. (click on image to enlarge)

 

1.  Menu Bar

• File Menu
  • New
  • Open
  • Save As
  • Export
• Edit Menu
  • Undo
  • General Preferences
• Figure Menu
  • Conform To
  • Use Inverse Kinematics
• Display Menu
  • Camera View
    • Main Camera
    • Face Camera
    • Posing Camera
• Render Menu
  • Render
  • Render Settings
  • Render Dimensions
• Help Menu
  • Poser Reference Manual
  • Poser Tutorial Manual

2.  Room Tabs

• Pose Tab
• Content Tab

3. Library Buttons (Applying Clothes, Poses, Hair, Props, & Lights)

• Figures
• Pose
• Hair
• Props
• Lights

4. Library Window / Library Folders

• Creating and using external runtimes
• Adding and Removing Library Folders

5. Camera Controls

• Moving the camera around the scene

6. Light Controls

• Creating and Deleting Lights
• Positioning Lights
• Changing Light Colors

7. Parameters & Properties Tabs

• What are Parameters and how to use them
• What are Properties and how to apply them.

These 7 areas are always used during the scene setup and rendering process. The better you understand these areas, the better your art will be and the easier it will be to learn more advanced techniques.

 

 

Menu Bar

The menu bar is the most common feature for a wide variety of programs and its layout within Poser is very similar to other popular programs that you have used. This familiarity should provide some comfort as we go into some of the features of the menu bar.  Take a look at the menu bar as we start on the left with the File Menu.  (Return to top)

 

File Menu - After clicking on the file menu you'll see NEW (creates a new Poser Scene), SAVE AS (allows you to save the Poser scene), and Export (saves the rendered image in an image format such as png, jpg, and psd). Click on SAVE AS if you want to save your Poser scene so that you can work on it later.  If you want to save the 2D image that you just rendered, then click on EXPORT and save as one of the image files listed.  Png and psd (Photoshop image file) both have transparent backgrounds, but the jpg file format will have the background that was rendered in Poser. Most users use the png or psd file formats so that the image can be placed on different backgrounds, used as scrapbook images, or as clipart.  (Return to top)

 

Edit Menu - The edit menu has an UNDO feature that allows you to undo the steps you have made while working in Poser.  This is great for  undoing any mistakes that were made during the scene creation.  The GENERAL PREFERENCES option will allow you to change the general settings in Poser.  One of the most common use of the GENERAL PREFERENCES is to set Poser to a preferred state (usually a blank workspace), which causes Poser to open with a figure present or without a figure when the program is first started or when a new poser scene is created.  (Return to top)

 

Figure Menu - The figure menu contains options related to the figure, but as a beginner you'll only need to be concern with 2 of these options.  The first option is the CONFORM TO feature which is used to attach the clothing, hair, and props to a figure.  The second option is the USE INVERSE KINEMATICS, which locks the hands or the feet into position in the scene.  Many beginners may have difficulty in posing the characters when this feature is active.  When posing a character always make sure that the inverse kinematics for the arms and the legs are unchecked.  (Return to top)

 

Display Menu - The display menu contains more than 50 options that affect how your Poser scene is displayed.   As a beginner you'll only need to be concern with 3 CAMERA VIEW options, the MAIN CAMERA, the FACE CAMERA, and the POSING CAMERA.  Each camera has a different lens setting and is used to create different lens effects.  The MAIN CAMERA is often used for Poser scenes that show 3d figures and models at a distance such as vast landscapes and for general scene renders. The FACE CAMERA is best for creating portrait renders and close-ups.  The POSING CAMERA is best suited for creating dynamic camera angles.  As a beginner, you won't need to get into detail information on these camera settings because the default settings for the cameras work really well for both beginner and intermediate users.  The POSING CAMERA is often used when working with creating realistic portraits because of its ability to show details such as skin pores and strands of hair.  You may be tempted to try some of the other display settings, but for now ignore all of the other display settings since they require an intermediate skill level.  (Return to top)

 

Render Menu - The render menu contains options related to rendering your Poser scene and it's where you'll find the render settings.  There are 3 options under the Render Menu that this guide will discuss.  The first option is RENDER which turns the 3D models and scene into a 2D image.  Clicking on RENDER converts the 3D scene into a 2D image that can be exported (saved as) as a png, jpg, or psd file format.  The second option is RENDER SETTINGS which opens a new window that will show the render setting options related to rendering your Poser scene, such as draft and final quality renders.  Many Poser beginners make the common mistake of focusing on the render settings as a way to make realistic art.  The truth is that the render settings have very little to no affect on how realistic a rendered image will appear.  The third option is the RENDER DIMENSIONS which determines the size of the rendered image.  The general rule is that the larger the image size is, the easier it is to get multiple uses out of it such as resizing without losing quality and for use in printing projects.  A larger image also makes it much easier to touch up the image or add special effects with programs like Photoshop or Paintshop Pro.  If you are planning to print your artwork and convert them into posters then make sure your render dimensions are set to the specified dimension stated by the printing company.  (Return to top)

 

Help Menu - The help menu is a good starting place to find information about the features in Poser, however it's not the best place to look when trying learn how to use Poser as an artist.  Think of Poser as an art tool similar to a paint brush.  You can find information on the types of paint brushes that are available to paint with, but beyond the technical information about what the brush is made of, you won't find out how to use that paint brush unless you find an art class or an artist that is willing to teach you.  The reference manual and the tutorial manual located in the help menu will give you all of the technical aspects of Poser, but it will not be of any use in teaching you how to create art using Poser.  (Return to top)

 

 

Room Tabs

There are two room tabs that you should focus on,  the POSE TAB and the CONTENT TAB.  The Pose Tab is the workspace where you create your scene and pose your figure. The Content Tab is where you'll use Poser to install 3D content that's located within zip files.  The zip file format is commonly used by vendors on websites like Renderosity, Content Paradise, and RuntimeDNA.  (DAZ 3D uses the exe file format to install 3D content). Using the content tab makes installing the zip files easier and lowers the risk of incorrect installation.  Note: Click on the POSE TAB to get back to the Poser workspace after installing content through the CONTENT TAB.  The other room tabs will require intermediate and advance skills in order to get any real benefit from them, so for now don't worry about them.  (Return to top)

 

 

Library Buttons

The Poser library buttons provide a way to locate and load the different types of 3D content that you install for Poser.  There are 5 libraries that we will focus on: Figures, Pose, Hair, Props, and Lights

 

Figures Library - 3D models such as base figures, clothing (shirts, shoes, pants, etc.), cars, planes, hair (sometimes), buildings, guns, and animals can be found in the  Figures Library.

 

Pose Library - The Pose Library contains the poses, skins and textures that will be applied to figures and hair models.  It's where you can select the clothing style or the pose for the figure.  The Pose Library also contains morphs for the base figures.

 

Hair Library -  This library often contains the hair that you'll use for your human base models.  In reality, hair can be found in the Figures and Props Library as well, but the Hair Library is the first place to look for installed 3D hair content.

 

Props Library - If your 3D content is an accessory such as a gun, jewelry, sword, umbrella, or anything that you add to a scene, then it will most likely be located in the Props Library.  Props are usually scene fillers that help complete the scene; for example, the furniture that would fit into an empty 3d bedroom would be found in the Props Library.

 

Lights Library - Light settings play a vital role in creating realistic renders.  Poser allows you to save and load different light settings from the Light Library.  The Light Library contains lights that you have purchased, saved, or that originally comes with Poser.  (Return to top)

 

 

Library Window / Library Folders

Each Poser library contains folders that help keep your 3D content organized.  These folders are located in the library window and can be customized with different locations and different names.  Once a library folder is open, it will show a thumbnail image of the 3D content that the folder contains.  If it does not have a thumbnail image then it will display a generic no preview thumbnail image of a man shrugging his shoulders with the words "No Preview" on it.  Poser gives the user the opportunity to create new folders from within the library window.  If needed, you can remove folders and content from the library.  As a beginner you'll notice that some folders are named according to the 3D content that is being used, while other folders are name after the vendor.  An example of vendor named folders can be seen after installing DAZ3D bases, which installs all of its bases under a folder that shows the company name.  Do not try to manually move the 3D content as a beginner since manually moving the 3D content folders around will junk your Poser Library and cause problems when trying to load and find content.  If you feel that you must organize your content then please see the section on Creating and Using External Runtime folders on how to do this.  (Return to top)

 

 

(Optional) Creating and using external runtime folders

An external runtime means that your 3d content is not located within the Programs/Smith Micro/Poser folder.  Many intermediate and advance Poser users install their content on an external hard drive for the purpose of custom organization and flexibility.  The benefit of having an external runtime is that you can choose which content you want to have showing in the Poser Libraries.  External runtimes also mean that you don't need to reinstall the content if you move the Poser software from one computer to another.  While the benefits of having an external runtime are great, there are also some risks and problems associated with an external runtime folder.  The main problem with creating an external runtime folder is that the organization of it is 100% dependent on you.  In other words if you have no idea of how you want your 3D content, organized or you don't have any idea of how 3D content is organized within Poser by default then don't try to use an external runtime at this point.  If you feel that you have a decent understanding of the default organization of 3D content, then use the organization layout that we have provided for you (Click here to get premade folder structure for an external runtime).  If you would like to know how to create and manage an external runtime then please see one of our workshop classes. You'll be able to add the 3D content to your library window after creating the external runtime folders.  (Return to top)

 

 

(Optional) Adding and Removing Library folders

Adding and Removing Library folders is mainly used when using external runtime folders.  This allows you to add and remove library folders that you have created, but does not actually remove the actual files from the folder on the hard drive. The purpose of adding and removing library folders is solely to organize how it appears in the Poser Library.  (Return to top)

 

 

Camera Controls

Camera Controls control the position and location of the camera within the scene.  The different aspects of the camera are controlled by the parameters and properties tabs.  (Return to top)

 

 

Light Controls

The light controls allow you to add and remove lights, to change light colors and intensity, and to change the location of the light.  Like the Camera Controls, the different aspects of the light are controlled by the parameters and properties tabs.  Hovering the mouse pointer over the different icons in the Light Controls will give the function for that icon.  (Return to top)

 

 

Creating and Deleting Lights -  To create a light, click on the star burst icon. To delete a light, click on the light that you want to delete, then click on the trash can.

 

Positioning the lights - The light control is made of a sphere and smaller circles that orbit it.  The large sphere represents the models that are located in the scene, while the smaller circles, that orbit the sphere, represent the lights and their location in relation to the model.  To move the lights around simply click and drag the light to where you want it.  Different combinations of light position and light aspect will create different rendered looks.  (Return to top)

 

Changing Light Colors - Changing light colors is done by clicking on the light that you want to change and then clicking the circle located next to the trash can.  Clicking on this circle will open a color palette.  (Return to top)

 

 

Parameters and Properties Tab

Every 3D figure, hair, prop, light, and camera has additional features located under the Parameters Tab and the Properties Tab.  What is actually located under these tabs is dependent on what is selected in the Poser scene. The only parameters that is common to all are the scale, the translate, and the rotate features.  Unlike the Parameters Tab the Properties Tab doesn't morph or move the figure, the Properties tab gives the options to change light and camera types, rename figures, lights and cameras, and set the selected content to invisible or visible.  (Return to top)

 

 

Types of Parameters

Figures Parameters - contain the dials that you'll use to create characters,  to pose characters and clothing, and to fix poke through.

 

Hair Parameters - contain the dials that are specifically related to the hair and its morphs.

 

Prop Parameters - contain the dials that are specifically related to the prop such as scale.

 

Light Parameters - contain the dials that are specifically related to the light that is selected.  The parameters for the lights are dependent on the type of light that is selected in the properties tab.

 

While using the parameters is a basic skills, the correct application of the parameters and properties in your art will require a detailed understanding of how the parameters and properties settings affect the render.  (Return to top)

 

 

Applying What Was Covered

In the previous section we took a look at 7 basic areas of Poser to focus on.  In this section we will cover the application of these 7 areas as we start from the beginning process and finish with a rendered image.  This walk-through assumes that you have already installed the Poser software.  Use the image at the beginning of this guide as a reference. Coming soon.