did you DL the 1.0.1 patch from the metacreation website? I think that's suppose to fix the software crash when rendering and some other bug fixed, I do not quite remenber. But I can sure say as a Newbee, first timer In the world of 3D, Carrara should not have been my 1st choice. The Dam thing does have It's share of problems, I'm thinking of moving to Rhino, I heard that It Is pretty darn good.