To be fair to everyone:

Most Poser/DS users had never even heard of LuxRender until recently. And it's true, most had never even seen an unbiased renderer before and do seem a little awestruck at the results. But having to unlearn some bad habits and assumptions is going to be required in order to get the best from LuxRender. Right now, none but those used to using high-end programs know anything about getting realistic light or textures. Once those are overcome, I really do think we'll see better renders.

People are already making progress with skin materials in LuxRender. Let's face it - if we can pretty well fake it in Poser or DS, we can do the same in LuxRender ;o). It's just a matter of finding out how. Someone said that LuxRender isn't good for anything but sterile architectural renders. Well, that's because, up to now, that's mainly what it's been used for. No one really bothered to explore making skin shaders. So saying that LuxRender isn't good for that is an unfair statement IMVHO. "Never been done" and "not possible" are two totally different things. I don't believe in the latter anyway ;o).

Laurie