Quote - I can't get over how people bite off trying a new thing by doing a whole scene, with figure, skin shader, hair, cloth, and then they wonder why they don't have enough time to learn everything.

Render a couple of primitives in a white room with a doorway. Once you know that inside and out, then you have permission to use a figure.

Until then, you're in way over your head.

I really think you're addressing an issue I was actually going to mention: workflow, BB. You experiment until you feel you have a reasonably good understanding of a given component of Poser (shader/lights/what-have-you). Michael's keen to finish a project, so he just wants to get a reasonably decent render out in as quickly a period of time as possible. Which I think is where most Poser users are... they don't have that experimentation mindset.

Poser, unfortunately, is of a complexity that precludes load-pose-render-getKillerResults workflow: there really are no shortcuts. You can't buy a shortcut, either, unfortunately. I purchased and had a play with the IDL 360 light thingie available over at DNA: the promos looked awesome and as per usualy, I was sucked into thinking that I'd get the same results.

Actually did - there was no false advertising. But it wasn't the look I was actually after. So, I dissected what was being offered in this set and on occasion use bits of it because that suits my workflow.

But really, Michael, I really think that in the short term, you're best off spending a bit of time with that doorway and primitives and really basic render setting that crank out an image in no time so you can get a feel for what Poser does. You do need to include that in your workflow, only until you get a feel for it. It will flatten that learning curve significantly.

When did we start this thread? How much have you learned since starting it? Where would you be now with your renders if you spent a bit of time messing with lights and simple props to get a feel for what Poser does instead of trying to get a finished product straight away?

Not criticising you at all, mind you: I'm there too. I get impatient and just wanna get the thing done. But Poser resists me at every turn: I keep getting some new wrinkle I don't understand and then I can either Photoshop it out or decide I need to nut out what's causing it.

If you're into Poser for the long term - good CHOICE! - then stick around, read a lot, experiment, develop your style and enjoy. It's an amazing programme ... with the exception that there's no make-art button. :biggrin:

Monterey/Mint21.x/Win10 - Blender3.x - PP11.3(cm) - Musescore3.6.2

Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehen
[it is clear that humans have contempt for that which they do not understand] 

Metaphor of Chooks