Although the Poser Library can be used to save and restore content in different categories, the Library is really intended to just hold certain content like expressions and poses for quick recall. The permanent method for saving all the content of a scene file is to use the File menu to save and open files.

All Poser files are saved using the .PZ3 file format, although you can also save them using a compressed format, which has a .PZZ extension. Morph files can also be saved as a separate file with the .PMD extension. A saved Poser file contains all the content associated with a scene, including the figure, its pose, materials and expression, and all the settings for the saved scene.

When working with other 3D packages, the Import and Export features allow objects to be transported back and forth between these external packages. Poser includes several options for importing externally created 3D objects. Poser can also import background images, sound files, and motion capture data. Scene files can also be exported to formats that can be opened within other software packages.

Another way to access content is to load content from an online repository. The Poser interface is linked to a website called Content Paradise that you can access using the Content Room. Content Paradise lets you browse through custom content created by Smith Micro and multiple other third-party vendors.

Still another way to access custom content is to load it from an external file shipped via CD-ROM or downloaded from a website. Installing custom content is a simple process and the Content Room includes buttons to automate this process.

WORK WITH POSER FILES
The File menu on the menu bar includes several commands for working with the various Poser file formats. In addition to loading and saving files, the File menu includes commands that let you start a new file or revert to the original file after changes have been made.

Creating a New File
The File, New menu command creates a new scene with the default mannequin figure. If the current scene includes any changes, a confirmation dialog box appears asking you if you want to save the current changes.

You can change the default figure that appears when the File, New menu is used to the current figure by clicking on the Set Preferred State button in the Document panel of the General Preferences dialog box and then enabling the Launch to preferred state option.

Loading Saved Files
You load saved files into Poser using the File, Open command. This command opens the Open Poser Scene dialog box, as shown in Figure 4-1. This dialog box can load several different file types including:

• All Poser Scene Files. All Poser file types.

• Poser Scene Files. Saved with the .PZ3 file extension.

• Compressed Poser Scene Files. Saved with the .PZZ file extension Compressed files are smaller than regular files, but take an extra step to decompress them when opening.

• Poser 1 Scene Files. Saved with the .POZ file extension used for the first edition of Poser.