Does anyone have any tips or tricks on how to get Photo-realistic images from Poser?

OK, I'm good for a couple of basics... -Remember to set all lights "Map Size" to 1024. -Use huge maps from photos. Each of the 4 map types can add significantly to the realism.

It was pointed out to me recently, that you can set the map size for the lights even higher, if you do the old "double-click" on the dial, and type the value in directly. Can't remember what the max is, but it is higher than the auto-default 1024. Anson

I'm interested! How do I set the lights "map size"? I'm not sure what that means. Which dial would we be setting? Melanie

You click on a light and 'Map' is listed as one of the dials. Double click on the number and type '1024' or '512'. It will increase render time a bit, and there may be RAM issues involved in higher settings. Also, I've been using a warm colored light, a neutral colored light and cool colored light with some moderate success. --ratta

According to the book, a higher map setting increases the quality of shadows, particularly on close-ups. I have to try Anson's idea: I've used it to specify limits on other things, but for some reason never thought about the lights.

Higher than 1024??? 'taint natural.... you're mad! Mad I tell you! :)

Usually I set my lights to 2048.. But it does significantly increase render time... Sometimes you only need to set it that high for one light and the others you can leave around 512, play with the settings, don't just automatically set them ALL really high.. The thing that bugs me is that you don't seem to be able to set the map size of lights beyond the basic 3... Anybody know anything about this?

I tried this, and if I try to set it beyond 1024, it pops back to 1024 and won't let me go higher. Melanie

Don't forget that you have to double-click on the dial to up the maximum.

Melanie, before you change the setting, you have to increase the value in the box that labeled "Maximum"

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I'm still learning these things. I appreciate your help. Melanie

Hmm, I really haven't noticed any significant increase in render times as such. I don't think it's more than 30-50 seconds extra...Atleast not on my rig. But 2048 does look a lot better than the other sizes, but for real closeups, it's still not enough. Hmm, I wonder if you can set it higher than 2048... I believe I shall attempt it! Perhaps 4096, neh?! Regards Ronin

4096 hit a memory cap for me.

heya; i dont know about you guys, but i like to turn the shadows down, too. they are usually WAY too black. i use .8 .5 and .3 for my shadow settings. (the highest one being the main light source, of course.)