Hey people!

So Project Evolution is finally out after 3 years of developing her in Malawi, and then in the UK. It took a while didn't it? After years of developing PE, while dealing with a country that is falling to pieces (Malawi) moving to the UK and not even being sure if PE would be useful at all, she is finally out. I still cannot believe it myself! Well, I'm happy I persisted, because I've seen artists that were otherwise quiet for years suddenly jump up and crank out renders enthusiastically. And I am also blown away to see so many people just teaching themselves how to convert their own stuff. I am very very impressed!

Of course not everyone enjoys having to convert everything all the time, myself included, so at some point we're all hoping that vendors step in and start helping us out. Thankfully Karanta already kicked it off (<3), RobZhena and Ghostship spreading free materials and poses for PE too, and Biscuits, Ghostman and Verbaas are busy making a load of basic wear (I'm helping them rig some of it) (see below).

Now, I have heard that there are more folks busy but I think they're waiting for the official version. Ok so about that, don't wait up!!! The official version will not be much different from this Early Version. Aside from some minor dial limit issues and morphs that folks feel that should have been added, I think everyone seems ok with her. There might be a few extra morphs available, perhaps a detailed muscle system, some corrections but none that will affect the bending or shape, but other than that really not that much more. The rest is all addons. The mannequins need a bit of tidying and will maybe get a few more little tricks that can be added later in an update. But again, nothing that will force you to redo your product if you already have it. More importantly, I have no idea when this version will be ready. I've worked long and hard on this figure, I don't want to rush it and screw things up. I also really really need to release a comic for my comic fans. I didn't release anything last year and I feel terrible about that. So if you have something, throw it out there.

Just to repeat and make myself clear: Vendors you are safe to go. UV maps, topo, JCMs, weight maps are all there to stay. The only things that could change is maybe a texture, but even that will be minor. From here on out its just addons basically, and the addons will also have their mannequin counterparts so that you can (if you want) update your products. Mannequins also will stay the same, they will get cleaned up, channels ordered, and stuff added to them... but nothing that is there now will change.

Also, lets avoid mega-releases and campaigns for now. Project Evolution has come at a time when many Poser artists were deeply concerned for the future of Poser in their careers / hobbies, and PE is my no means invulnerable, so I don't think its a good idea to take any marketing risks at the moment. If you have something for PE, release it. Timed releases also risk flooding the costumers with stuff in one go, rather spread it out so that people have time to adjust. Also, the sooner you release your stuff, the sooner I (and others) can get input on what needs improving. If she does well you can always do a mega sale at some point. Right now all she needs is some momentum, bit-by-bit.

Also, PE for me was always an effort to make a nice figure available for the Poser community. I didn't hold back and neither should you. Go for it. Don't wait!

For now she will be available at CGbytes. I have obligations there, especially since they had a direct hand in her creation and they supported me for years. Its a fine and reliable store, nothing wrong with it. A release at Rendo is always possible of course, it is on the table, but I'm not going to make any promises just yet. My head is still spinning from everything that has happened, so I'm not going to do anything crazy yet lol. Lets keep it spontaneous and fun, let it be about making people have fun again in Poser. I know I am.

items below are w.i.p

"The fool is not the one that does something foolish, but the one that does nothing at all."