Well, after much deliberation, The Ol' Sith Lord is finally ready to post, I believe that the character is definitely a killer likeness, and is so waiting to be uploaded, however; I have one MAJOR bug with Poser 4 that I need some kind of workaround for. Please all gurus help here? Here is my problem. If any of you have any information, as to how I could go about fixing this, please let me know ASAP, as it is the only thing that is preventing Darth from being added to funstuff. OK. Please see next post, thanks, sorry if I ramble a bit.

When I add the lightsaber as a prop, (.3ds model,) and set up the colors just the way I want them, ie. with all transparency settings just right to get the exact 'glow' effect above, then either save the file, or add as a new character, the lightsaber IS added to the saved file, the .pz3, or the .cr2; however, and here is the punch: Poser is adding a new generic 'MATERIAL' to the lightsaber when I either reload the scene, or add/replace the character in the scene. This new material overrides my current object coloring settings, and so even if the file is saved with the appropriate settings, it gets HOSED when it is reloaded. If anyone can help with this, please let me know. I have worked very hard on this model, and would like some possible way to circumvent the above from happening. I leave it now to the people of this wonderful forum to help me figure this out. Thank you. Communion

Ouch! The only thing I can think of is to try setting up the prop as a .obj rather then a .3ds file. I know that means a lot more work, sorry. I've had some problems with .3ds files in P4 but not so much as a squeak from .objs.

Alright! I believe I have SOLVED this bug. Here is a workaround if the above "ghost material" syndrome starts to happen to your complicated color splits in .3ds imported props that get hosed on reload: Import the .3ds object placed where you want. Export the file to obj. with only the prop selected in the heirarchy editor. Then open it in Compose, and give each material in the object a name unique other than, 'Material_1, Material_2 etc.' The name 'Material' seems to be the issue here. Then click on all objects, and choose "split by surfaces." Then re-save the file to the same .obj, and reimport the model with all options unchecked. This seems to be a solid fix, as now Maul's saber color and transparency settings are maintained through character changes, and in a scene reload. Thanks for the input. I should have the Ultimate Darth Maul ready to upload to my site sometime tomorrow. I will post again when I have done so. Communion

cant wait to see this post! This Darth Maul I think IS THE ONE! Will it work in Poser 3?

Pardon me for ignorance, but what is "compose" that you refer to?? Something in Poser, or is it a separate program? Please fill me in, as I feel as if I missed something here? I have had this problem many, many times and would really appreciate clarification on this? Thanks much.... Radart.

Compose is a JAVA Aplication available on the Funstuff... it has several functions including working with OBJ USEMTL Statements

This should work in Poser 3, I don't see why not, as he is based on the Poser 3 nude male, with lots of reworking, and many additions that were from other sources, I just brought all of them together, and reworked the texture map to DEATH to get it to map properly on the face. However, this has not been tested in Poser 4, and may give an error that a new version # was expected. Since the lightsaber has a transparent texture that only Poser 4 can translate, I believe that Poser 3 will attempt to parse the file anyway. Someone please correct me if I am wrong here. Should post him to my site this evening. By the way, Compose ROCKS! Communion

Communion, what is the URL for your site? I would love to check it out! Thanx Rob