" also, can anyone tell me how to use the material library in Poser? what are "nodes"?"

Nodes are the things which drive the materials library. A node is a "panel" which has inputs, controls and (all except for one) an output.

The one that doesn't have an output is the "root node", the big one on the left-hand side of the screen. That node is always connected to the material surface that is being affected.

All other nodes generate and/or change information and pass it on to another node.
To create a new node, R-Click anywhere in the blank area and select "New node" from the drop-down list. Then navigate through to the type of node you want and click on it. The node will appear in the blank area.

Example:
New Node->2DTextures->Image Map will add a new Image map node into the Mat room.
This node is used to connect bitmap images (.bmp, .jpg, .tiff etc) to another node "down the line". Probably mostly used to connect texture images to the root node.

Load any textured prop or figure and examine it in the Materials room - you'll soon catch on..

Cheers,
Diolma