> Quote - > The Specular_Map node in the shader has what to use as a backup in the "Background" property. Find whatever that is, and connect it directly to everything the Specular_Map goes to now.

Thank you so much for the very helpful tips BB.  Following your instructions, I disconnected the Comp node from the Specular Map node.  Then I plugged the Comp node directly into the Blinn node, as shown in attached before and after images above.  After I resynchronized VSS, all the relevant material zones in the Sakura textures are now using the color map to produce specularity.  Whoo hoo !!!

Your VSS skin shaders truly are a breakthrough in Poser texture technology.  Smith Micro should pay you generously for keeping the Poser user community happy by providing us with such an invaluable tool.