Can SOMEONE explain... When I download "free" models and props on the web for use in Poser, I usually choose models in either ".obj" or ".3ds" format...in particular, I find that automobile models in ".3ds" format are QUITE Poser-friendly. BUT...they're NOT consistent. Many of the .3ds cars I import into Poser show up WONDERFULLY...they look good even before they're rendered, and I can apply different colours to the different materials. OTHER TIMES, however, they show up in my scene with parts missing, or one side cannot be seen until rendered...other times, the 3ds file indicates that there are several materials in the model, but they don't show up in the "Render Materials" window of Poser, so I can't apply colours...OCCASIONALLY, I attempt to import a .3ds file that brings my entire system crashing down. Why is this? P.S. I am a "Mac" user running Poser 4.0.3 on 466 Mhz Powerbook -- 192 MB Ram, OS 9.1

Well I am not really good with MAC but I do know 3ds files, if a person makes a 3ds and doesn't add material to it in the original program that could be one problem, also some 3ds conversions can be different. I know that we can make a model in AutoCAD and change the export out to 3ds in 3 different ways, also, if you use 3D exploration to convert a model, it will also change it into a different 3ds. So it will depend on the modeler and how he converted his model to 3ds. If you take any 3ds model find a program that you can check your material and groups prior to importing it if you need to use that information. Sharen

Run Windows 3DS files through Mac Carrara 1.1 first. It can fix them up into usable obj files.

Sharen -- What programmes would you suggest? I have RayDream 5.5, Amorphium and Bryce 4.0, as well as a "shareware" application called "Meshwork..." Don't have Carrara yet...is it still even available?

You can upgrade from RDS 5.5 to Carrara via Eovia. See also the Carrara forum in the list of renderosity forums - it is for both Carrara and Ray Dream.