I have OpenGL video and I understand that OpenGL will render faster than software.... at least I believe this to be true. If I am wrong, please correct me. However, will OpenGL render a "better looking" render than software? Is the software renderer only really needed for those who may not have better hardware? I ask this because it seems the renders in DS are a little lacking than in Poser. This most certinally may be my lighting of my scene. I have yet to get a feel for proper lighting. Not that the renders are bad but rendering in say 3DSMax seems to be a more crisp and cleaner render. Am I out there or is this somewhat true? When I light a scene, I just click on the lighting I want and there I go. Am I doing something to get the lights to point correctly or is there some trick I don't know? This is true for me in both Poser and DS. Some guidance anyone? Thanks! Nebula

Attached Link: Maclean's Lighting Tutorial

Hi, Nebula, You might have noticed, with the OpenGL render, that it doesn't look much, if at all, different from your preview. DAZ|Studio uses OpenGL for it's preview "renderer", if you will. To use the 3Delight renderer, which is immensely better, click on Render>Render Settings> ADVANCED Tab, and change from hardware renderer to the software renderer. As far as lighting goes, the best tutorial I've seen yet is Maclean's Lighting Tutorial, which I've linked to above. He does a very good job of teaching about the lighting without getting too technical.

MorriganShadow, Thanks so much for the link and the quick reply! Yes, I had noticed that OpenGL didn't look much different at all. I know how to start the software renderer and I will work that direction next. Do you do your own lighting or do you use a package? I was working with Radiance Pro lights. I'd like to try the HDRI and IBL lighting sometime too. Have you seen any good tutorials for those? I also have the Brazil render engine. Ever worked with it? Suppose to be a nice one. Thanks again for your help and information! Nebula

Lights that were created in Poser do not work the same in Poser. They will load, but the light properties are very different. In studio, you have the choice between distance lights, spotlights, and point lights. In Poser, until version 6, you have distance and spot lights. And, even the way the types of lights act in each program are different. I have some lights in my free stuff, and, over at DAZ, I know Questor has some great lights in his free stuff. But I would wholly recommend reading maclean's lighting tutorial. I've used Poser for years, and still can't really figure out the lights. The lights in D|S are immensely easier to use. You basically move the lights via the parameters dials, and, you can "view" the scene from the lighting point of view by using the light as a "camera" while moving the light. That, in particular, is very handy.

MorriganShadow, I've already started reading the tutorial. VERY WELL DONE! I will take your advice and work it from that angle. Did I understand you right when you said Poser lights don't work properly in DS because that's all I've been using. Thanks again for your time, Nebula

Yes, they don't work the same. When someone creates a light set in Poser, the way they work is different. When you use a light set that was created in Poser in DAZ|Studio, you have to manually set the shadows, and, depending on how many lights are in the scene, that can take an enormous amount of work, not to mention that D|S just doesn't need as many lights as some people use in Poser.

Poser lights import into daz studio brighter also. Alot of the time you will have to adjust the intensity of the poser lights to get a good effect in D/S. There are some good light sets out there for D/S tho. SnowSultan over at Daz has a nice set as well as Questor. This image was lit by one of Questors sets.