I think I may have found what may cause the black books and aerials, etc... I went back to the original site that the files came from http://www.3drender.com/challenges/index.htm and imported the obj file. The tube rack comes in undistorted, and the liquid surfaces are also correct. I started adding some of my textures, and the book cover works. I then loaded glass, which again was ok. I selected then Hyper-real glass, and some of the books went black. Changing back to normal glass everything ok again. Selecting water as the liquid, also made black books. Changing the water to standard glass and all is ok again. Even the aerials are still correct at the moment. Also, no black papers either... I will try later on the latest scene file to see if the same thing holds true for at least the black book covers and aeriels. The only issue so far on the original obj is that the book cover against the brain jar still has its map reversed when compared to the one on the top of the pile... Got to dash now, so will check the present scene later...

Anyway, it may be useful info to anyone else if having 'black material' issues to try not setting liquids to water or using hyperreal glass... not sure how much this will affect the apearance of a final render tho?

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