Poser or other 3D formats

Is it possible to use Poser or other 3D formats to create skins and clothes? If so, how? That is, how to convert a Poser file to the typical flat standard TGA file based on template format?

Poser can be used as a previewer for checking your work, but converting existing Poser skin textures into SL textures, unless they're skins you've personally created, would be a breech of copyright. The only exception would be if the creator of that skin has given their express permission to do so. That's generally unlikely. Most Poser skins available at places like Renderosity are there for people to use in Poser renders, not to be repurposed or sold elsewhere. That said, since the Poser UV mapping is so different than SL's, it wouldn't really save you any effort from just creating your own skin.

3d apps can be very useful for SL skin creation in two different ways. Some have the ability to "bake" model textures, meaning you could apply textures with their texture tools and then bake those textures back out to SL's UV mapping. That can be useful for creating things like metal skins or other materials, or for baking lighting effects into textures. The other use is 3d paint, where you can paint directly on the model. Check a bit further down the forum for the thread on 3d paint programs.