How did you get started in 3D Graphics? I have always enjoyed creating websites, especially designing the graphics for them. One day I wanted something really special for the design of my own site and somehow I ended up in Bryce and Poser. I decided to join the online group "Lions Pit", moderated by AnaSuza, to acquire and share tips and tricks about Poser. How long have you been working with 3D Graphics? Since 2001. I began in Bryce using some models that I found in the Free Stuff section of Renderosity and I started creating scenes. I wasn't really happy doing that because all of the models were "stiff" and I couldn't pose them the way I saw them in my mind. Poser was the next step and I was hooked! Finally I was able to move, pose and change the characters in anyway I wanted. Inspired by my all time favorite artists, Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell, I started to put together some poses. I used them for my renders and found my passion in creating artistic, fantasy styled poses. Do you have any formal training? I dont have any formal training in arts or anything related. I had a job at a Computer store and there I got started with the good old Amiga computer :) Among other things, I did graphic design for the promotion of the store and so on. Everything I know about 3D comes from many hours of studying and practicing. One day I met one of the most talented artists and modelers, Martin (marforno), and after that he asked me to work with him I had so many new things to learn and Im still learning. He is a wonderful teacher, hard and pushy. He will demand of others the same that he demands of himself with an incredible patience. What software do you use for product development? I use several programs but most of the time: Poser 4 ProPack, PhotoShop, Bryce and X-Frog. How much time is required for product development? Thats a matter of how complex a project is. When it is a big collection it takes a lot of time. Once the modeling part is done and Martin sends me the first meshes, I go and figure how to make it as easy as possible to use the package. During that process a lot of changes occur, adding things here and there until we are pleased with the result. Can you give a brief overview of your development cycle for a new product? After discussing and kicking around some ideas with Martin, who is an endless source of ideas with his huge and wonderful imagination, the modeling / texture making part starts. Once I receive the final version of the props, I make poses, make skin textures and morphs ( if there is a character included ), build scenes and lights sets ... My main concern at this point is to give a "face" to the whole package. As soon as I have something done that I like, I show it to Martin and hope it will pass his merciless eyes and opinion. :) Where does your inspiration come from when developing new products? I get inspired by Martin's props (long before I started to work with him) and also by the Masters of Fantasy Art such as Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, Dorian Cleavenger and Luis Royo to name a few. Do you have any advice for aspiring Digital Content Developers? Find something new and original to create, products that people havent seen in the Marketplace. Think as a customer and what would you expect from a product of good quality. Study hard to get where you want to be and never give up. How has Renderosity's on-line community played a role in regards to your products, friendships and learning? I have met a lot of wonderful people here that have inspired me, helped me and became friends. People like Elke (Angelmoon) who is the responsible for me becoming a merchant *g* and Martin (marforno) who chose me as a partner, taught me a lot of things and is such a source of inspiration, Orietta (luciferino) who is a fantastic friend so sweet and full of imagination ... Also the work of artists like As Shanim & Siliphiel, Xurge, Morris, Debbie M., ElorOnceDark, have been a very important source of inspiration and example in how we should move ahead by improving techniques and setting standards. Do you have any final words? First of all I would like to say thanks to all my customers, for all their support and faithfulness during the last years! Special thanks to my partner marforno ... I wouldnt be here without you Martin and words cannot express what you have given to me. And last but not least I would like to thank AnaSuza, Moni (Swantje), Rose (rjghise), Joan (Kinouk), Rhiannon, Ilona, Jean-Luc (Abraham), Rania (Sirocco), Debby (Malefic), Karen (Avalonne), Michelle (Crasher), Leah (Turtle) and all those I forgot to mention here. :)