wow, talk about paralell evolution, i just posted a hourglass image, i like your photo-real look, mine was just for fun, re your comment in image about-"it's actually quite difficult to make the sand part follow the glass it's in as it's smoothing" - i made3 mine in Autocad/3DS, by a revolving a line for the shape, and using Acads useful 'offset' feature i get a line for the sand that follows the glass edge exactly, dont know if this helps at all as we're talking about different programmes.

Experience is no substitute for blind faith.

http://avalon2000.livejournal.com/ - My Art Blog

http://jeferies.jalbum.net/Richard%20Jeferies%20Future%20Perfect/