nimrod89: thanks again, I will give that a try.

R_Hatch: I did try using the edge hardness in Wings3D and still got the same result.

I did try importing the Poser box prop object into Anim8or and Wings3D and then export them to a temp file. I then imported the box objects back into Poser and they retained their sharp edges. So I have no idea if it's a shading problem or the way the programs create their geometries.