Quote - one tip. don't use the smooth polygons option shown above in the render options.

thats a Global Effect and overrides any and all smooth options set per individual mesh. it's better to actually set the mesh's smooth options indiviually, remembering that 0=no smoothing (Faceted) and 100= total smoothing.

 

That doesn't seem to be the case in my experience.  If I have Smooth Polys on the the render globals it will add the smoothing to any mesh that has smoothing turned on individually. Some models (particularly with straight sides) will warp out of shape with global smoothing on. To stop it from happening, I just turn off the smooth function for that individual mesh, and leave the Global smoothing on.

Just my method but hey, it works for me..

Hey! His nose is dry! ... Someone should lick it,  just in case. - Diego