I`ve started working on an image but I think I`ve been too ambitious because I am now at the point where I can`t add any more objects without it really crawling or stopping altogether. It comes in at about  800,000,000  polys but I`ve still got 73 % resources available. I`m running six gb ram and i gb on the graphics card. What I was wondering was, could I delete all the houses and make another render with the characters I want in the scene and then merge the two or would the combined image crash or do something else nasty. I can`t find anything about merging in the manual. TIA

Since you still have the resources at 73%, I would just use layers.  Move the houses to one layer and then turn the layer off.  Now Vue does not have to display it, but they still render. 

Thanks Peggy. I havent gone too far into layers yet, still learning this app. I ve been loading everything in one layer.

Hey Sambucus... there's a thread over at Daz where NeelzOnline is doing something similar - he's got over 200 figures in his image so far...

The thread is in the commons, and is titled something like "Can you put 100 unique figures into one image --- AGAIN?" - and he DOES use Vue to do this.  He's been giving tips & tricks on how to accomplish what he does.  His images are amazing.

Thanks Melikia. Ive noticed that  thread but assumed it was all about alpha planes. Ill definitely have a look at that.

As far as I have seen, not a single alpha plane in the whole thing LOL.  His method involves build the basic scene, rendering out to final size (but not in full resolution), and then going back through and filling in specific areas, one or two figures at a time, and then rendering that area, and compositing in photoshop.  A very long, drawn-out technique, but very much worth the effort.

Thanks melikia for that link!  That was very interesting to read and see how the project was built.

lol... welcome =D  I've been following his progress from the beginning on this one, and from about halfway through the first one he attempted (which is available on RedBubble in poster form).  I've started about 5 different scenes to attempt to do the same thing, one which i really like and keep working on... but... its one of those things it'll be a LONG time being completed LOL.

But the WOW factor... cannot be ignored =D

I think others have also tried (original thread, which is in Plat Club forum if I recall correctly), but in various programs - one used Daz Studio and the emoti-guy (and gal), and ended up with a whole buncha M&M's (ok, they looked like that to me LOL) doing various things.  I think his (or her?) limit was 25 or so, but only cus he didnt realize the compositing part, and actually managed to load all of that up in D|S.

As long as your image editing software handles layers and masking (easier than erasure), this technique is pretty cross-platform (as far as the 3D part and rendering goes).

I was going to attempt the same thing in Poser, but that program's lighting gives me nightmares.  And to think for years, I used nothing else.... LOL.

Ahhhh, Vue... how I do love you... giggles

Ugggg, back to packing, sorting, selling...... break time is over

Thats impressive but Im 65 years old and would actually like to finish my next pic before I go. The patience that man must have!

I have a 32 bit system (which means only 3.5 g max on the OS and 2 g max on any one application. My last render had Stoemason's Tin pan alley, another low-resolution building set and about 7 or so Poser figures. Here's a few tricks that might help:

1. Purge, purge, purge. There is a "purge memory" button (at least in Vue Infinite). I use it everytime after opening a file and again everytime I load an object, if the application is slowing down.
2. Save frequently. When I'm working on a scene I usually have two or three differently named files to go back to if something goes bad.
3. When I use Poser imports, I first import them into the default scene that Vue opens with. Then I retexture as necessary. Then I save the figure as a .vob file. When I'm ready for it, I just load it into the scene. This seem to help dramatically, as Poser files seem to suck up resources. You can also resample the Poser texture maps at a smaller size, although I've never had to do that myself.
4. You can change the look of your views. Instead of using shaded figures, try wireframe figures.

Thanks cyberknight, although im feeling pretty smug now because I do most  of those things already. Except save just before a crash, lol. That idea of saving the poser figure as  a vob is a good one and sometimes, when Im stuck for an idea for a pic I ll just import a few poser buildings or suchlike and load up the collections. What I keep meaning to find out is if a poser figure like M4 is imported into Vue with the bodyparts that arent showing deleted back in poser, (for a still image, obviously,)  does that save a bunch of polygons and resources. Like, a knight in full armour doesnt need anyone at home, do he?