Ok, this passage bugged me, "We still don't have light emitting objects (like a lightsaber blade), sure you can turn up ambiance and use a light gather node"

Wasn't that replaced when actual prop light emitions were introduced? Light gather was in P6 through what, P8 ... then using props to emit light was introduced around that time. IBL's aren't necessary in P11/PP11. Although many statements in the OP's post are good and valid and need to be looked into, some statements are outdated as to the current version of Poser.

Boni

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"Be Hero to Yourself" -- Peter Tork