@alan fraser said:

If you keep your eyes open, you can find free version of Poser. I've even had one off a cover DVD in an old copy of Computer Arts. There may be others online. You can export to 3ds from Poser, then import into SketchUp...which is probably where most of those models originate in the 3D Warehouse. The problem is that they are humongously heavy on poly-count and will slow SU to a crawl.
It's also illegal (to distribute them on places like 3DW) because...as you state...the program is designed to produce renderings; the meshes themselves are copyrighted and are not for distribution...even having been edited. There is, however, nothing to stop you exporting them for your own use...that's why the export facility exists.

Producing usable human figures from scratch in SU is very tricky. Not only is is difficult dealing with the organic forms, but the main problem is keeping the face-count to something sensible...like about 2,500 faces...whilst still managing to make the figures look realistic.. Many new users (and quite a few old ones) would produce more faces than this just modelling a screwdriver.
It is possible, though. Some of us make our living from largely doing exactly that.
Link

Alan :
       You're VERY right about the copyrights.   I do it for the pleasure, and showing friennds and family what can be done, artisticly, using  "this medium".  Most of the time,  I use Sketchup to create custom furniture to import into Turbo Floor Plan 3D.   I'll have to check around for that "free version" of Poser.  
       Anyway...........thanks for your input.

                                                             garystan

@solo said:

Maybe because they were made with other apps and converted to Sketchup.

Solo :
Sorry about the attitude.........It's just kinda frustrating trying to find this type of software. I don't mean to sound like e "penny-pincher" either. But some of the software IS expensive, even though those are the ones that work the best.

                                                           garystan

@solo said:

Try sculptris or Daz studio.

Sketchup is not suited for this type of modeling.

If sketchup isn't suited for this type of modeling, then how come I can import models from the 3D Warehouse ?

                                            garystan

Hi, everybody :

           I'm currently using version 7.1 of Sketchup.   I'm wondering how to create a human figure.  I've been told about some software, including Poser.  But, Poser has a cost of  $249 (?). Also,  most software that I've looked at only creates human figures, renders them in photo-style  pics, and cannot be exported to other programs.  The models in Sketchup CAN be exported to other software.   I've tried creating human figures in Sketchup,  but, it's kinda hard.  With all the curves in the human anatomy.   
                                                          garystan