Simple question: What's the difference between rendering using Firefly, versus the Poser render engine?

Also, what are the pros and cons of each, as I've defaulted to Firefly.

The P4 renderer isn't able to use a lot of the shader nodes.
Also P4 can't do ratracing so you can't do true reflections
and refractions or ray traced shadows
The pro is in certain situation the P4 renderer is faster.
The con is the P4 renderer isn't able to use a lot of the
shader nodes, or true reflections, refractions, and ray
traced shadows.
Plus Firefly gives you more control options such as
pixel samples, depth of field, motion blur, toon outline.

it takes a while longer, but it's worth it.

pakled, I agree that they could, look better using firefly, but I have a problem with it. 

Everytime I use the firefly rendering option, the edges will look "choppy".

For example, say I render an image of michael 3 with his arms at his sides, (like he's standing at attention) All along the outside edges of his arms and legs you'll see sharp squarish little pieces.

Certainly you don't have to >it should have said "go" here<into photoshop and fix it everytime do you?

If not is there a tut somewhere on what settings to use too avoid that?

Attached Link: Stefan's Firefly FAQ

There's a bit of a learning curve with Firefly.  It's not difficult, but it does require more thought than the P4 renderer.  The best settings will be different for each render.

Use the manual settings, not the automatic.  For the problem of jagged edges, try decreasing the shading rate and/or increasing pixel sampling.

If you see Poser as the final 3D step of your project, use firefly. If not, use the p4 renderer.

I for example, render all of my 'production renders' in Vue, Carrara, or Bryce. The firefly renderer is just wasted RAM for me. In side Poser I only need something to give me ultra quick test renders to make sure what looks ok in the preview will survive a render.

But if I lacked one of those apps, I would be relying on firefly to give me something post-worthy.

I'm still not that impressed with it, and won't be unless if someday includes a full on atmopshere engine, plant designer, particle generator, and everything else I can get out of Carrara and Vue...

I'd be just as happy if Poser had no rendering engine like Hexagon, but obviously not everyone has these other apps.

If all you have is Poser, stick with firefly for your close to done and final renders, and use p4 for early test renders.

Yes, I use the P4 renderer for test renders.  With everything except "use texture maps" unchecked. 

Then I switch over to Firefly for the final render.

Quote - pakled, I agree that they could, look better using firefly, but I have a problem with it. 

Everytime I use the firefly rendering option, the edges will look "choppy".

 

For example, say I render an image of michael 3 with his arms at his sides, (like he's standing at attention) All along the outside edges of his arms and legs you'll see sharp squarish little pieces.

 

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Make sure you pick "Smooth Polygons" and render over a black background. 

I much prefer Firefly but I'm on an old computer and find that most of the time I now have to use P4 render and I sure miss Firefly.  I tried to render a sword yesterday in Firefly because I wanted to use raytracing, but found that my computer just doesn't have enough memory for it :(

I like firefly and yes it's a wee bit slow but the results are nice. Not only that I can't afford some of those other hoyty toyty programs. I'd like to...but can't right now.

yeah..I've barely scratched the surface with Firefly..so I'm hardly the expert..;)  Some people say it takes a lot longer to render, but I'm a Bryce user and I haven't noticed..;)

I've learned to avoid 'ray tracing' if I'm in a hurry..;)

I've got Vue and Shade, but I still render with Firefly most of the time.