First of all are you using Poser 3 or 4? Because I think 3 needs .bmp files not .jpg. If you're using 4 and the new map is .jpg it should read it. Go to Render, Materials and make sure you check the box that applies the texture changes to the entire figure. Also, since I haven't seen the Zygote Knight, make sure everything on the figure is white so that the new texture will show. Now the problem with the shield can be a number of things, maybe you are actually looking at the back of the shield? Sometimes the front and back look reversed before rendering.You may want to rotate it around and try again. If this is also from Zygote and nothing works, write to them. Otherwise post a picture so we can see what you mean. When you parent and object sometimes you may want to check "Inherit bends" and sometimes not. Try both to see which is better for you. Hope some of this helps. In many other aspects I am also still a beginner, but that's the fun of it, always discovering new things!