I am one of those who has not yet purchased Poser 5...but I love the idea of the hair studio. However in all the renders i have seen, the hair looks like it is made of styled wire (very stiff and metalic). Is this simply because of a learning curve to get used to this feature, or is that actually how it will look regardless (until post work is applied)? Rawn

Think its a problem many strand based hair have,and thats why i think there is still room for layered hair. Specially for portraits

part of it is learning curve and applying the proper material nodes to it. I do agree layer hair in some situations will be better. Ron

I agree with all that's said above.but you learn by doing.This is my 1st test using Hair room not done yet.

Yes, I agree, too: We have to learn the ins and outs of the hair room to make really nice hair, and try to make some nice materials for them. Shadows might help a lot, too. I think a lot depends on how many strands the hair has, too. Here's my test render. This is the default texture. I think the upper front doesn't look that good (I'll have to work on that more), but the lower part of the bangs and the sides look pretty nice.

it seems that strand based hair isn't receiving any shadows, at least i didn't saw any in renderings so far. is it so?

you know what thats exactly what it looks like i just got poser5 havent had time to play with it much but the hair does look like theres no shadow to it. Making it look like its doesnt have depth.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=247218

Sorry I'm not at home so I can't upload it. The link goes to the small hair study I did in p5. I was messing with the colors a bit. The default textures for the hair seem like cornsilk to me. Something I'm sure those hair models in shampoo commercials are wearing instead of real hair. lol

There's a LOT of potential to the new hair, but there is a learning curve. Color and texture, clumping, kink, collisions, strand thickness at root and tip, styling... everything has to fit to make a perfect hair piece. Once you get the hang of it though, it starts looking better and better. I'm doing a set of hair in pieces right now (right bang, left bang, right crown, fall, etc.). The individual pieces are looking pretty good. Next is a braid (gosh, I'm a brave soul).

Hey you figure out how to do a braid let us know. Ron

Yes, if you have success with the braid, please post a tutorial! :)

If I can get it to work, I'll be crowing about it everywhere! It ain't an easy one, thats for certain!

I made the strands thicker than normal here, but you can adjust to thinner. Kink adustments are available. Its just a learning curve. Looks like you can make any kind of hair you want.