yeah, I'll get those shots. ironically, i did exactly what Dee had recommended (no avail). Dizzi: what i meant by "preview" was the little preview "avatar" below all the nodes. the #3 bump/disp map shows up PERFECTLY there. I am having absolutely no probs with bump #2. I even interchanged them, nothing. here's what I can remember, and what I had posted elswhere as a reply: ** I remember my original being something like this: Bump #2 at node Bump (.02, my usual setting). Bump #3 (ball bearings) at Displacement (1.0-0.02) (on in Firefly with default setting, default setting displacement bounds in the Head parameter dial in Pose Room). I interchanged them, making my #3 value high and low. Dissed my #2 and only tried my #3, still nothing. Applied to square and ball, perfect with Bump value at 1.0 and alone with Displ. value at .06. When I get home I'll grab those captures, and results of renders. Unless you just figured out something.** thanks for the incredible reponse time, guys!