Thanks. I looked closer at some of the established lower res models (such as the original Poser4 figures) and noticed similar dark smudges on some surfaces. It seems to be a universal aspect of Poser smoothing under unfavourable circumstances (lighting/model/camera angle, shadow map size, etc). High res models (keeping individual poly faces small) and big shadow map sizes seems to minimise the problem. That's a relief. I thought I was finally getting somewhere with 3D modelling but had a horrible feeling it was all for nothing. Back to fiddling. Thanks again.