Thanks for your input, BB.  By the way, congrats for being in the credits for P8!  I'm guessing SmithMicro finally wised up about your inverse square method, heh?

I think I'll try rebooting my computer.  I'm also getting black specks in my renders, particularly in the eyes.  Hopefully, the reboot will solve at least one of these problems.  If not, I may wait until I get a new laptop in a few days.  I was going to wait until the debut of W7, but there's a sale going on that allows for free upgrades from Vista if you buy now.  Plus, my current machine is probably pushing two years old anyway.