Hi, My 2c :) A bump map( .bum) is a binary representation of an inverted greyscale of the texture map in use, (at least that's the way they appear to me :) So to create a bump map, load the text into a paint prog, change to 8bit greyscale, invert (negative) the picture and save it out, (as a jpeg) then when you want to add it to you model: locate the file using the "browse" box in the bump map box under the one that you load the texture map with, select the jpeg and it will ask if you want to convert it to a bump? say "yes" and it will save the bump in the same location as the jpeg version. For skin set the % to about 20-25 and you're all set :) Mat files are poses that contain texture information, so you select a pose, and it sets up your textures, bumps, and transmaps with one simlple "click", (but you have to build them by hand editing the relevant pose file...) later jb