I cannot find the parameter/property dials. I click on Windows>Parameter Dials but nothing shows up. I can turn off and on all the other tools available through the Windows area.

When I first started Poser 5 the document window in the Pose Room was missing. I tried a number a ways to find it before I clicked Start in Factory State in the preferences dialog. The next time I started Poser the document window appeared and it stayed after I restored the setting to Use Previous state. Give that a try.

The missing Parameter Dials can be caused by having the wrong desktop resolution setting when you initially load the program. If it applies to you, try setting your display to 1024 x 768. (I had to do that to find the dials, myself.... Now I have itty-bitty text and icons on my pitiful 14" monitor. :) ) Apparently it can be changed back to a lower resolution afterwards, but the interface can be a bit crowded. If you had them after loading the software, but the disappeared later, try opening the Window menu in Poser 5, then make sure that the Parameter Dials are checked. (I have had them mysteriously disappear on me a couple of times....) If none of this applies, I hope you find them somehow!

Anyone else noticing that the Parameter Dials, while having improved functionality, are bigger (and uglier) the P4's version?. My problem is that I cannot get them small enough to work in my usual 640X480 Pose Workspace/Render window without the Dials overlaping the Workspace/Render window. Worse, I cannot get the Dials to hide under the Library column when it's opened like they use to do in P4 - the Dials stay on top and block out most of the visible Library!

Yes, they are always on top. :( I had to switch my interface around. My Parameter dials are now on the Left and the light and camera controls are on the right. I guess we all need larger monitors. :) That won't help me on the laptop, though.... I love the new functionality in the Parameter Dials! They are a bit clunky, though. Has any tried the old Poser 2 interface trick with Poser 5? Maybe we have an alternative.... Or maybe there is a hidden Poser 4 interface now? Gonna go on an Easter Egg hunt, here....

I usually keep the parameter/properties panel closed and only open it when I need it using Control+shift+N. That way it doesn't cover everything else up.

I must admit that, having figured out how to make them appear, I do like the new setup with Parameters and Properties as tabs. But the palette certainly gets in the way, even at large resolution. One solution would be to have each palette minimize itself when anything else is clicked, like the behavior of the tool palettes in PaintShop. Maybe we'll get that in Poser 9!

In lieu of "CTRL+Shift+N" use the third icon on the right above the camera view window. It's quick, and easy to find (I think.) I just hate using magic combinations of buttons to do things as I'm not the most dextrous person. --lb

I noticed the parameter dials are too clunky and they overlap the Library which is a pain. I use both too much, but I like the idea of moving them. My screen is too small and I can't make everything smaller under video settings without causing eyestrain. I only have two settings with my graphics card. I wish they had improved the interface like adding toolbars at the top instead of all those large icons (like the camera controls). They really don't need to be so damn big.

Thanks for the help, everyone! Now if I can just keep Don from opening and shutting his mouth while I'm working on the dials - he is giving me the creeps!