I'm still a novice at handling models. From time to time, I've downloaded free personal use .3ds models that seem to have a "teflon" surface. Like others, they have a shiny off-white plastic cover, but unlike others, they cling to it no matter what texture I attempt to apply. I apply textures -- which often show up in preview -- but when rendered the model still has a shiny off-white plastic cover. I've tried tweaking all the various controls (reflection, etcetera). At one point, in desperation, I appealed to ancient gods with a passage from the Necronomicon. A small village in what was once the upper reaches of the Sumerian empire vanished in flaming hail -- but the rendered model still had a shiny off-white plastic cover. I'm certain that what I'm doing wrong is simple and easily fixed, so rather than have the deaths of a few thousand more villagers on my conscience, I am instead appealing to you -- gentle reader, master modeler, and willing guide to the ignorant (I hope) -- for assistance in this matter. Help!

Sorry no advise to offer but I loved your SOH

Sounds like to me you need to map the object. You can do it in Poser with the grouping tool or download the most incredible free prog I have on my puter. Steves uv mapper. Look in the free stuff. Also the prog fixes most bad meshes. Hit the insert key to get rid of them in uv mapper. You can use the grouping tool in Poser to create a perspective uv. Ron

What your seeing is the default 3ds surface texture. Although Poser will import the model I believe its native format is obj. I would import the model in Poser then save it out as an obj. Take that obj into UV mapper and create your map and save both the obj and map together as a new obj and map. This should convert the model into something with a workable map you can import into Poser. At least thats how I do it and I'm a neophyte too!!

Well, in most 3D programs, just applying a texture isn't enough - you also have to apply the MAPPING separately. Without the mapping, there is no way for the app to know where or how to wrap your texture, so it ignores it and uses the material color instead of the map for your previews. In 3DS MAX, for example, under the "Modify" tab there is a button for "UVW Mapping" - after your mesh is finished you should use this - often the default settings and automapping will work, but only you know if you want cylindrical, spherical or planar mapping on an irregular object. Try rendering after using the default settings, and if your map looks funny, stretched, etc, try other variations till it fits right. Hope this helps.