Just my thoughts

LOL - While understand this - I think I have to admit to myself that my 3D work is usually better than my drawing. (at least in my opinion)

I do believe that there is a huge talent pool here at GM and the artists here are great. I haven't been able to devote the time I want and need to contributing or improving so I have no one but myself to blame. GM continues to be the only online art community I routinely check in on!

Well, everyone knows that I'm a 2D guy, and other than a few very simple photomanips I've never done any 3D work. That isn't to say that I'd never want to try it, but I know for sure that I really can't afford a lot of the stuff that's available or even most of the programs themselves. Althought I am aware that there are free options. I did however recently come upon some 3D programs that a former co-worker gave to me that I'm going to see if they work and I just might dabble in them a bit sometime in the future.

Ouch!! remind me to wear my safety goggles when talking to you, Morgan!
...Why is it always the 2D guys that are tripping over this issue. Can't we all just get along?
Personally, I like 3D because it allows me to achieve a far more complex and complete version of the visions in my head.... admittedly, this comes with it's fair share of compromises and is often built upon the talent of many other artists.
Still, I'd like to point out that are many perfectly acceptable blurrings of that 2D/3D line ranging from Taz's Rogue and Molli manips over Tartan Ninja's 3D model to my own 3D reference materials I had created for the Skin and Bones Draw-off so that I'd get foreshortening and shadows right on my drawing. I think if you come from either side, you can find useful skills obtained from learning the other so...
Don't hate, participate!

Paul: THere's plenty of great free and cheap 3D stuff out there. I'm sure if you PM Star, Webby or me, we could give you some good leads.

lol. I know how the big guy feels about this subject and it still tickles me pink. I can understand his viewpoint because at one time i too carried a grudge against 3D artists. i'd always felt they were cheaters. simply guys who were too lazy or didn't have the talent to create superhero images. i still share this feeling about alot of 3D users to this day. why you say? and how can a guy who's mutated into a 3D artist himself make a statement like that? simple. 3D art opens a wide range of possibilities for the guy/girl who isn't as talented with pencil and paper but want to create art. it allows them to put thier ideas and visions in color to be enjoyed by the world. but at the same time there are those guys who i consider "3D slackers"..those who use the program and repeatedly create the same kind of images over and over [mostly being pin-ups]. there's nothing wrong with that i suppose if that's as far as your imagaination allows you to go..but to me it gets boring. would any of us enjoy 3D animation if all the characters did were just walk and talk? no way! with 3d you can create scenes and actions and for me it's that next step to what i really would like to do. make animated cartoons. besides you gotta admit it looks really cool! it doesn't bother me that people think i've swung to the 'dark side'. lol. right noe 3D is a challenge for me. heck i think i've mastered the other primary forms of graphic arts..2D, Coloring, sequential art, photomanipulation. I'm at peace with my skill level in 3D right now. But there's so much more i want to do with it that i haven't even begun to scratch the surface of. don't get me wrong i am and will always be a 2D artist, it's my passion and my first love. i suppose if i could pump out 2D stuff with the quality and speed that morgan does then i might share his views and opinions, but when i think of what i can do with 3D [and do at a much faster rate, mind you]..well she makes for a pretty good mistress. but at the same time i can take a hint. lol.

"To 3-D or Not 3-D? That is the question."
I wish I could do more with 3-D. It's would be like looking out a side window and finding that there is rose garden that you didn't know was there.
As an artist, I now have the chance to use more red paint.
For me. 3-D is like photomanips. It a way to see your characters in a new light.
But I will never stop being a 2-D artist. Because you can draw with pencil and paper know matter where you go.
'Via La Pencil!"