Nice write up. Its interesting to see what others have had problems with. I've done similar tests though and not had problems with soft shadows. Although I have had problems as well, but never been a serious issue, I'll have to take a look at some of my renders now and analyze my shadows because of you, I hope you are happy I may find fault in all of my images now, and be scarred of life:( lol. I'm curious though...did you... Did you try repeating renders? Would shifting the light at all improve things? I've been attempting to get good lighting in a scene now, lighting seems the biggest issues with Carrara, and its the most important thing in any image/animation. Well nice write up, it was a good read. cheers, Brian