Hither is exceedingly useful for precise placement and posing when other stuff is just getting in the way. For example, say that you are placing fingers on a keyboard but the side of the piano obstructs your view? Just set the hither (as PhilC says it is a clipping plane) and remove the obstruction from view. Then rest the fingers on the keys and not through them. If you have two figures dancing or someone hiding behind a column or whatever, especially when you have scenes with a lot of stuff happening, using hither is a good way to check that everything is properly placed and posed. This becomes critical if you have cast shadows! The view may look right through the camera, but if the figures aren't right, the shadows won't be either. Carolly