Ok... this is probably somewhere in the manual, but... I JUST installed Poser 5 and I love it! The only problem is when I first opened it I received a message saying 'Proper window size unavailable, looking for next best thing' or some such... It doesn't look to bad. The main problem is most of the tools in the hair, cloth, etc. libraries are dropped off the bottom of the screen. As I HATE digging through manuals for something specific, any help?? TIA

What screen size are you running at? Poser doesn't like anything below 1024x768.

I think I know what you mean. When you first start it, the work area screen is overly large, and covers all your tools. Instead of centering, it sort of sprawls across the right side of the work area. The resolution of your PC makes no difference. I run 1024x768 on my PC. Not sure why the silly thing does this. What I figured out to do (since there seems to be no way to move the work area to center it), was to select "window" from the menu, go to the bottom and select "document window size". Select a size that places the thing in the center. I use either 397x388, with the largest being 640x480. That way you can get at all your tools. You should be able to set this as a default under general preferences so the next time your start it you won't have to make the adjustment again. When you get ready to render a final image, you can set your render preferences to render to a new window and set your image size accordingly. That's when the PC resolution size will be important.

Sure the screen resolution makes a difference. Why do you think that the message says, "Proper window size unavailable,..."? I've only received this message when I mistakenly left my display at a lower resolution than the one normally used. You can run Poser at 640x480 or 800x600 after making adjustments, but it expects at least 1024x768 (check out the smallest prefs xml in Prefs). I've always run at 1280x1024, but now at 1600x1200, I can set the Document Window to 1024x1024 with plenty of room for all of the tools. Most 17" monitors are capable of at least 1280x1024x32bit. [sarcasm] Do I hear a groan from all of those who can afford Poser 5, but can't afford a $100-$200 17" monitor? [/sarcasm]

I'm running 1024x768 screen resolution on a 19" monitor. You cannot set your "main window work area" size to 1024x768 when running at that resolution....Poser will not accept the settings. Further I didn't say I was using 640x480 settings on my PC, but as settings for the "main window work area" in poser. I think I also said that screen resolution makes a difference if you want to create a 1024x768 image in "another window" for your final render.....you can't render anything beyond your PC screen resolution. I think you ought to read the post more carefully before you make your on purpose sarcastic comments. I posted my response for Softsnow who was simply looking for some help to resolve a problem that I've experienced personally. There may well be people here who cannot afford to buy a new monitor. So what! They are entitled to find solutions that will help them use the software that this forum is suppose to be about. As for me, I've probably spent more money on computers and software as anyone here...so keep your sarcasm to yourself.

1024x768 is about the maximum for most laptops too. I run poser 4 on my laptop - I've seen poser 5 on a laptop and the work area seemed very small.

sandoppe, you didn't read mine very well either, did you? Take off those green glasses. :) Nowhere did I infer that you are running at screen resolution 640x480 (the word "Document Window" is well known to me), but that if someone were to run it below 1024x768 screen resolution, Poser would complain (as it does and did) and one would be required to fix the interface because of this or increase screen resolution. Again, Softsnow must have a screen resolution lower than 1024x768 or on first running this message would not appear. That is to what I was referring. And, to grahamjames, yes, I was of course referring mainly to 17" CRT monitors. The same applies to desktop 17" FPDs (which almost all support native resolutions of 1280x1024). Laptops are a different matter.

To conclude: - Poser is set to run at a minimum screen resolution of 1024x768.

• If the resolution is lower than this, Poser will alert the user and basically screw up the interface.
• I don't care what size you make your Document Window.
• So, I wasn't posting my response asking for info so that I could help? I've experienced this before. I know what causes it, how to fix it, and work around it.
• You stated, and I quote, "The resolution of your PC makes no difference." This is misleading. Poser will complain if the resolution is below 1024x768, requiring you to adjust the interface so that is it useable.

One of the very first things the user manual for P5 tells you to do is to change you screen resolution to 1024 x 768. I usually make my document window 450 x 450 while creating the characters and generally setting up the scene. Since I like to print on 8.5 x 11 photo paper, I change the window to 425 x 550 to get the right dimensions when finalizing my scene and then render it at 850 x 1100. I really miss the button at the side of the library menu that activated the parameter dial pop-up on Poser 4.

Since I already had my resolution set at 1024x768 when I installed Poser,then I guess the message may also happen for other reasons.....not sure.

What was misleading about my first post, is that the 1024x768 is a system requirement and does make a difference in the operation of Poser, but I was focused on the specific message listed by Snowfish (which I also received) and his/her reference to library tool bars not being accessible. This problem, in my case, had to do with the size of the Workarea window and not PC resolution.

Pigfish is suggesting what I thought I was suggesting to Softsnow....change the work area window size to correct the problem of loosing access to the library tab on the right hand side of the screen and tools on the bottom of the screen. The default setting for the work area window that appeared on my computer when I fist installed Poser was at 800x600 and had to be changed to sizes similar to what pigfish is using.

Since Softsnow has not commented back on any of this, it could be that the screen resolution was the problem. Out of curiousity, I would ask someone running at 1024x768 to set their window work area to 800x600 and tell me if the library palette and the tools/settings on the bottom of your work area window are still accessible.

No problems, sandoppe. My first reply was just a first step in determining his problem. Just two different approaches here. :)

Ok....thanks and peace...BeatYour Soul :)