thanks a lot guys.....this actually came out A LOT better than i predicted....i was soo proud of myself and this pic that i printed out a copy on a Post-It note and stapled it on my dog's forehead....LOL.... the effects were done entirely in Poser...absolutely no post work since i thought it didnt need any....well maybe the glowing eyes needs some aura around the eye sockets...but i thought it looks great without em anyway... i mention this NOT TO BRAG but to prove a point that Poser 5 is one of the best graphics programs available....even a total newbie like me can make decent pics.... 1. this was the first time i played with the materials room extensively. 2. this was the very first time i EVER used the Hair Room after having owned P5 for a year now!! can you believe that? All hairs were grown in P5... 3. um now even more adicted to P5 than ever before! now for sure um never gonna get to use my Carrara 2.1!!! GI takes FOOOREEEEVER in Carrara, but only a while in P5...ye there's some quality issues but for me P5 can do the job...caustics can also be done in P5...CL Tech support responded to my email and said Caustics is possible in P5 like for instance by using the Volumetric lighting together with the many nodes available. to sum, P5 is GREAT!!! thanks again guys!!! =)