3D Character Development Software- Poser
module last modified: April 10, 2002

PLATFORM
Poser is currently only available on the Macs.

PURPOSE OF THIS MODULE
In this module, you'll get to experiment with Poser. Poser is a 3D application that allows you to pose and animate models of the human body. You'll then be able to export these models as images into applications like Photoshop and Director.

Note also that this module is different from most others: in it, I ask you to do the Tutorial that comes in the help section for the application, and then to do some work of your own; this is because I think the Tutorial is pretty good.

NOTE
This module asks you to turn in Poser files and a short Word document (both into the Groups drive Turnin folder). You must turn in both parts if you want full credit.

STEPS
Opening Poser

• Open Poser 2.0. It's located under the Apple Menu.
  
  
• Go to "Window" on the menu bar and open "Parameter Dials," "Tools," "Library," and "Animation Controls."
  
  
• Look through the other items on the menu at the top. Experiment with various body types and dress types. Look at those in the Library, too. Click on the "Poses" button and look at some on the list. Choose one of the poses and then move various parts of the body but keep it looking real.

Part 1
Now that you've had a chance to experiment with Poser a little bit, I'd like you to create and render four figures of your own, following these guidelines:

• One figure should be non-standard: this figure could have teeny arms or big heads (or both), be very thick or very thin, extremely tall or dainty- just don't use the "ideal" figures that come with Poser.
  
  
• One figure needs to have the camera angle and lighting altered when it's rendered. You can use a standard pose for this one.
  
  
• One additional figure (not one of the first two) must be rendered against a background you have made (drawn or scanned). Import it from anywhere you wish.
  
  
• One additional figure must be rendered with a prop that it is holding or standing upon. Use something from the "Props" folder that is inside the Poser folder.
  

Part 2
In addition to your four figures, I'd also like you to discuss why you think the default figures in Poser come with the bodies they do, with the shapes and colors they have: what sort of values are reflected by the choices of default bodies made by Poser's designers? Make your writing at least 250 word long.

TURNING IN YOUR WORK
Please export your four renderings into your turn-in folder in our class folder as .pict files. Do this before the due date and time. Name your files "POSER1", "POSER2", etc., followed by your last name, please. Turn your paper into the same folder.

POINTS
Turned in on time- 10
Rendered Figures- 60
Essay- 20
Instructor's Discretion- 10

BONUS POINTS
Unlike most assignments so far this term, the bonus section really is a bonus or extra credit worth 25 points. Animate 1 (or more) of your figures: the instructions for animation are in Poser Help. Set the frame rate to 15. Use at least fifteen positions in the animation. (To animate a rendered movie, go to Animation>Make Movie. Go to the Quality box in the dialogue box. Change it to "Choose Render Settings" and then click on the Render Settings button when it becomes full color. In this window, choose Texture and have it match your figures. Then click on "Render Now." This will make a QuickTime Movie.

OR

Export the poses as .pict files, open them in Photoshop, export them from there as Gif files. Put these into GifBuilder or ImageReady and make an animation there. (If you choose this option, make the pictures 200 pixels across in PhotoShop when you convert them to .gifs. Memory for GifBuilder will not handle large pictures.)
Bonus Points- 15
Total Points- 100

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