Wow, this is exactly what I'm looking for.  I do understand some of the challenges involved ... but believe that the result would be worth it.  Primarily I will be workingiwth V4 ... but knowing that I'd have to approach different figures differently helps a lot. 

After reading over your list BB, (may I call you BB?) I was caught by the problem of Transparency and refraction ... and self illumination for the iris.  Since I'm upgrading from PP2010 to PP2014 I haven't had the pleasure of working with self illumination yet.  Would this be a workable solution if worked with subtly? 

Also since the environment plays such a strong factor in this ... finding a "master" shading system for each figure to use in well orginized scenes, using good environmental spheres such as yours could be counter productive?  That is each shader must be created to fit a particular scene ... or could a master be made that could be used in any scene as long as the scene is set up well? 

Vilters: you have braught up some good questions too.  I'm definately bookmarking this thread! 

Boni

Boni

---

"Be Hero to Yourself" -- Peter Tork