Welcome to the world of 3D.... It looks like you've made a great start. I think the big issue here is lighting.... First off, let me tell you that I don't use Carrara; I'm using RayDream 3D, but most of the features I'll mention apply to Carrara, and lighting is lighting, whether it's in 3d Cyberspace or in reality. First, I'd reduce or eliminate the "ambient lighting." There's no real-world analogue to this effect. Second, I'd place a light behind and above the chess board (from this perspective). This will give the pieces an outline or rim that helps pull them away from the background. The backlight alone should help provide a difference in illumination between the top and front surfaces of the chessboard. Third, I'd soften the light coming from camera left. This is to say, soften the shadow feature. In RD3D it's called Soft DRT Shadows (located in the properties menu for the light, itself), and I know there's something similar in Carrara. Fourth, I'd probably add a "fill light" to the camera right side. The fill light should be no more than 2/3 the brightness of the "key light" (the light you already have on the camera-left side of the scene), and should employ VERY soft shadows. The fill light will give you some nice highlights in the shadow areas. Beveling the edge of the board will help, as described above. OK, I'll stop now. (I wonder if there's a length limitation on these postings....) - Chip