Versions are very similar.. but most of the really good stuff has been added with version 3( personal opinion).. ANYWAY.. Carrara Studio 3 handbook is a BIG plus.. I have had it about 2 weeks and it has more than paid for itself!! I highly recommend going to Bizrate or Pricegrabber .coms do a search on google or yahoo..and shopping around, you can save up to $15 on it.. get a wide selection of shippings.. etc, but be carful.. and read the reports on each store... some have VERY bad service (though on a book... what kinda service do you need?). hope it helps :)

G4 733, gig ram.... 8:02 not bad for this old(I can't believe it's old already) machine If you want a G5 wait a few more weeks... I've been hearing some hubub about a prob with cases or some such thing and they recalled a bunch.. so they'll be selling refi's soon? Don't ask where i heard it cause I truely don't remember but ... it may be worth a month or two wait. Also, Don't be sacred of refi's... they fix things that way.. and you get it cheap.. also Apple give like new warr. on them.. I'd say 80% of all my apple hardware are refis and I have NEVER had a prob with any of them.. (and I have had troubles with new systems from apple more than once) food for thought

Oh i agree with the free speech... just have respect for others... and have a little taste :)

try bizrate.com.. there are a LOT of listed sellers there all with really good prices... I got mine at Buy.com for 32.00 with free shipping.. there are even cheaper places there now.!! just watch out and read reviews.. I took a chance with Buy.com because of the price.. but they have had MANY problems with shipping and cust. service.. so if your worried.. pay a little more and have ease of mind. Have have also written a quick review of this book at 3dcommune's web site.... http://www.3dcommune.com/3d/forum.mv?Carrara_Raydream+read+8925083164#1075175802 I really liked it!!! it has answered a bunch of questions for me that the manual just made more confusing!!

god i'm a bad speller/typer... oh well you get the idea

I have only played this last week with HDRI.. but actually I may have fuond an answer to your problem by accedent... I had left a spot light in an image.. and it made shadows.... was kinda nice effect....just point it where you want the shadows and render away...maybe adj brightness of both the hdri and the light? try it and let us know :) hope it helps

sweet

ya know.. i have never used the batch render.. Now i think i will :)

ECKKK!!!! isn't there "tree abuse" laws in place?? LOLOLOLOL

ya what he/she/they said!! lol.. yaa there is a bit much of it here it seems... but there are other options...
www.3dcommune is a more "hometown" like forum that is almost a clone of here. and has GREAT people running it, ad is a liitle more divided in the forums & the galleries. I also think they have a little tighter rules.

Personally I bounce back and forth between here and there. I actually like 3dcommune more because there are less people there so the forums are less blotted and a little more "homey " feeling.. (am I using that to much?) But that makes getting answers harder sometime.. soo.

If the ads here really annoy you.. try the 3DCommune site, you'll probably like it better, though there are less going on there.. If not... stay here.. or even btter....use both!! :)

Or maybe renderosity could have a "block" in the personal settings ?

Just wish that people would use the "nudity" content button and NOT have stuff showing in the preview... little respect people goes a long way :)

One thing that might help? a quick note from the forum stating something like....

" People of renderosity.. do to the increase of poser popularity we have gotten requests to lighten the amount of nudity/sexual content in our galleries & Ads. Please respect those of us who may be UNDER AGE and wish to view our wonderful website and galleries without having sexual content on every page. We DO NOT wish in anyway to restrict your artistic visions and postings, Just please use your best judgement when posting. Please use the Adult content buttons and keep the nudity out of the previews and banner ads.
And remember that not everyone that views these pages are adults, or wish to view these types of images.

Thank you!!

something like that?

I haven't gotten into it much myself yet. But There is a poser/carrara plug-in announced (but not out yet) tht should make it all easier.. maybe just wait?

really nice... had to set my Mac's gamma to PC standard to really see it... but it's great !!!!

wow this is great... I've been looking into doing this kinda thing but haven't had time to learn everything and what little time i have tried i just got frustrated.... Now i'm thinking i'll jump back into it... everyone here is SOOO cool... thanks people LOLOL

there is a bunch of plug in's right on the install disc... just have to get the reg #'s to open them I have one for the 3D fun pack. I also have a training disc for RD5, it's got some basic stuff... and some advanced, kinda cool to watch/do just as a refresher If you want i'll burn a copy... you'll have to pay shipping...

cC@... what's that?? MIS TYPE... that's supposed to say C2