My question is what is the best way to organize materials for vue that I have downloaded or created that contain the MAT files and their correlating bitmaps? If they are both in their own folder do I put that entire folder in my Vue Materials folder or do I split up the MAT files into the Materials folder and the bitmaps into the bitmaps folder? If I split them up, what do I do if there are bitmaps with the same name but are not the same files or can I put the bitmaps in their own folder in the bitmaps folder? I assume I cannot rename them or the corresponding MAT might not find it. I know that probably sounds like a basic question but in my opinion Vue is not exactly smart in the way it handles its own files. I keep getting error messages with some materials I have downloaded or ones I made off of pics.

You can behave this as you like:-). When you use the MAT for the first time, Vue will ask you to locate it. Save your material when you have located the bitmap and Vue will find it next time if... you don't move it to another folder. So, if you rename it before you do so, remember the original name and the new name so you can find it easy. I keep all the bitmaps in "guittamat" bitmap folder and the mats in a "guittamat" folder. But you can do it as you like:-). Same for functions. :-)Guitta

Thanks for the info. I'll try that and now I can better organize my files. There are so many great materials on Renderosity and other sites that it can get a bit confusing dealing with so many. Well, I am off to do some Vue housecleaning now! Thank you again.

One thing I have noticed if I load them all in the materials folder with no sub floders they will all show up under personal options.

Yes, but you can create as many new subfolders you want. That's more confortable then just a "personal" folder when you have many materials of all sorts.