ok so i followed all the info on the readme, but then i get to the part that says click  Synchronize.  where is  Synchronize to click lol?

You must run the VSS script (MainButton.py) first then open the Python Script window panel.  Synchronize is the top labeled button.

ok so i go to my props first right? and oppen up the vss pr3 ao ? then load my figure, then run the vss (mainbutton) ?

Just about.  After you load the prop and your figure, dress your figure in whatever skin texture you wish.  This is a must.  The prop needs an image_map as reference.  Then pull down your menu under file, click 'Run Python Script', and navigate to your VSS folder.  There you will find the Mainbutton.py.  Double click to load.  Under the window menu, open the Python Script panel and then click synchronize.  That's it.  Post your results when you have rendered.  I will imagine that you will have more questions afterwards.

I don't know what settings you are using currently and which Poser version installed but the render is fairly good.  Of course, there are other variables which greatly enhance the realism of your model.  Straight off, your render has too much lighting present.  Your intensities are high because the specular lighting off the texture are rather burnt in.  VSS requires lower light intensity for great results; it does very well with IBL and proper gamma correction. 

For render settings, you should have raytracing on, pixel sampling around 5 -6, Min. shader 0.2 - 0.3.  Double check and adjust accordingly.

cool i forget to set up my render options gonna go do that now. one question, what and where do i find the gamma corrections?

If you have PoserPro and your render option is the defaulted 2.2, go into the Material room for the VSS prop and select 'Template_skin' under materials.  Scroll to the far left top; there you will find the 'PM; Gamma' node.  Change the 2.2 value in that node to 1.  Check all the other material groups for changes and resynchronize.  Render the scene again.

VSS Preview Release 1.0 came with lights and shaders - and the shaders demanded lights that were too high. Other props that did not have the VSS treatment were blown out.

So I changed the shaders.

PR3 (latest) has corrected the shaders to work with less light (much less light) but I never released new lights. Try cutting the IBL intensity in half.

Okay, Poser 7 does not have gamma correction built in so leave the VSSProp settings for gamma as is.  Now the VSS lights packaged with the prop happen to be too bright.  BB admits that he incorrectly created them.  The IBL intensity as well as the Infinity Light intensity must be turned down drastically to give you acceptable skin tones in the renders.  If you haven't perused the other VSS thread yet, do so.  It does contain reams of information and tips.  Follow the link:

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2737823&page=1

i think this looks very good.

Much, much better!   Throw in an infinity or spot light for the specular and you're golden.  Glad to help.  Now you're hooked.  I actually modified the VSS Prop for the Nybras demon skin textures; it greatly improved it's look using the shaders.

ill have to try and add that light your talkin about. dude i got the chills when i saw that last render. it might be the first one that i actually was truly happy with. You have no idea how much you helped talkin me through it dude

Here is another link you should look into when you get the chance.  This one is a rather hot topic these days and it is getting more and more attention as time goes on and more individuals become involved with Poser and 3D programs.  Since you use Poser 7, this will be of particular interest.  It deals with gamma correction as it applies to hardware and software and should be a must read for everyone, especially individuals using Poser versions 7 and lower.

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2762503&page=1

Again, glad to help. 

It's ok to have the main light higher than that. It was the IBL that was wonky.

I suggest you get to know your lights now that you're using VSS.

Use a simple figure as you did above - not with a lot of environment and props. Set your background to black.

Turn off your IBL and just use one infinite light. Try it at 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 110%. Save these renders for reference.

Then turn on just the IBL and try it at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%. You're trying to get the IBL to represent the ambient, secondary lighting that is bouncing off other things. Pick a setting that is pretty dark overall.

Then add your main light back again, at 60, 70, etc.

Save all these and compare them. Look at them again the next day. This is time well spent.

Then change your main light to a spot light, point it at his neck, and do it all again.

Try lighting from the side, front, above, and behind.

Try IBL + two infinites, one in front, one from side or behind. Try them at 40+40, 40+60, 40+80, and try stronger light in front and also stronger light in back.

Later when you want a certain effect, you can look over your test renders and know what to pick without experimenting.

good advice. when doing lighting you need to test test and test.

ok so let me get this correct. if i use VSS then my renders will be gamma corrected already, right?

The present VSSPR3 has the correction already bulit-in and the node set to the proper value: 2.2.  No changes necessary unless you have a MAC.  PoserPro is the only version currently that applies gamma automatically post render when it is set in the render settings.  Again, in your case, the VSS Prop gamma setting for Poser 7 should remain as 2.2.

lol i do have a mac =(

LOL, I guess you'll be reading that other link I recommended sooner than expected.  Typically, the gamma setting for MACs is 1.8 even though the accepted standard for monitor calibration stands at 2.2.  Two new MAC's at work still had Gc set to 1.8 thus the brighter screens.  I immediately corrected that little issue.  I would recommend calibrating your monitor to gamma 2.2 predominately because that is the accepted standard for the internet.  Especially if you post your renders in the gallery.  Resetting the gamma node in VSS to meet the requirements of your monitor is fine if you are only viewing your renders on your computer.  But if you plan to post renders on the web, then you will need to keep the VSSProp as is and change the gamma settings for your computer set up.

hborre, thanks again, you really made my week =)

My setup is simple. I have an IBL, using one of Olivier's IBL masks (pictured above). I also have two spotlights, one from the left side, and one from mostly front, slightly above and from left.

I ran my script to generate many different combinations of intensities of these three lights.

There are 140 renders in all. This should save you some time. :)

That's the last one for now.

For speed I rendered without shadows.

If there's one you'd like to see full size with shadows, let me know.

wow this is way cool BB. Again you keep helping me all day, im lost for words. Thanks so much

Another question i have. when i add a new texture, how do i synchronize again? i go to windowns then python scrips but it doesent seem to be there anymore. Any idea on what im doing wrong?

never mind i did it thanks

You don't need to run the main buttons script over and over. Just push the button again.

yeah i got it, just still figuring out how to use the vss. it truly is amazing though BB

Thanks. Show and tell. Other noobs learn from your experience. Have you got into adjusting any skin parameters?

nope not yet, what do they do ? I beleave i saw something about them on the page 5 of the other post about your VSS. Am i correct?

The most important is the Tint control. It lets you change the overall color of the skin. There are also controls for specular effects. You can make the figure look wet or oily. There are tweaks you can make to the SSS effect, so if you're doing a blue Twi'lek character, you can set her up with blue blood instead of red blood.