Thanks for all the information. Played around with Apollo and got the materials room to work!  Now, just the eyes looks weird, but at least got the skin right!

Thanks again.

Uh ... that was just a "Test"?  Holy Cow Richardson!  Not only inspirational but intimidating to boot.  Very impressive work.  I especially like the "oh, just something I threw together" comment. grin

Honestly, I'm amazed that such a quality product like Apollo is available for free and artists such as yourself use him with such amazing skill!

Also - a question ... I noticed that for some of the Apollo products available, it says "Works only in Poser 6" ... if I have Poser 7, should these still work. My understanding is that there is not a substantial difference between 6 and 7. I am particularly asking about Face-off's realism kit and Talus.

Ah I see. I was looking for them in the Poser Library.  I have never used the Material Tab except when I just wanted to intimidate myself.

I guess I will have to figure out how to use that!

Thanks for the info.

Thanks!  That helps!  Time to get busy. 

Thanks Sam

Another issue:  

I noticed that after I unzip files and then move the runtime folder to where I keep my runtimes, I will get file specific conflicts in which Windows Vista asks me numerous times whether i want to copy the given file as another version already exists.

Sometimes these are just readme files and I just save both copies; however, at times it appears to be actualy Poser content items, like obj files.  I believe I may have overwritten some of my files and this is causing problems.

Is this what is happening with obj. files missing for some items or am I off the mark here and should be trying to resolve this another way.

Edit: Okay, I have found the missing obj. files that I need in my unzipped folder.  Now, how the heck do I figure out where to move them to so that Poser knows where to find them?

I downloaded Correct Reference, but it seems a little more complicated than I have the patience for right now.  Is there a better software that will "automatically" do it.  Or can I just move the files manually?  If manually, again, where to?  

Thanks again.

Wow. Thanks for the excellent replies.  Anton, I tried to get a download of ApolloMaximum from your website, but for some reason couldn't figure out where the link is. It was also at 2:00 am yesterday so I may have been exhausted. ( I plan to try again now!  Also, thanks for providing such a cool figure. I have seen some of the images using him and he is very awesome! Its nice to have a male figure available)

I think Anton makes a good point, among others :), with regard to realism in that it is also a matter of defining the term.  What is "realism" for one person may not be "realism" for another.

As a photographer, I understand what you mean ... even a camera "lies" and does not necessarily capture reality. I think, rather than the notion of attempting to capture "reality" per se ... I think I am attempting to achieve a certain "look" in my images. For me, a "benchmark" of what I consider realism is the promo image for Milan in the Manhattan collection.  

Finally, I also recognize that I certainly can't just "buy" my way into creating images similar to what I find inspiring.  Again, like photography ... just cause you have the best Hasselblad, won't make you into a better photographer.

Thanks for the feedback. To an extent, I am feeling validated that I am not doing some inherenlty wrong and going in the wrong direction.  Now, if I can just fight the "got to buy a new character" addiction this program is bringing on, my wallet, sanity and marriage my survive!  :)

Thanks for the information and quick replies.  

Two different opinions regarding the use of lighting,but I think I get the gist. I was actually trying to apply the inverse square law and the use of reflection. Good to know.

I get the impression then that the possibilities are there, but its a matter of experience.

Also, along the issue of lighting, given that "real world" rules don't completely apply, is it a good idea then to get some of the lighting packs that are around?