Yeah, but it's actually the one on Daz3D and it's far from being free - $34.95.

As a matter of fact, I'm in the process of writing one now. It's not on how to create a texture from scratch, but rather how to take an existing one, such as Zygote's Vicky texture, and modify it to get the skin tone shade you want. The process that I use requires Photoshop (although it may be adaptable to other software) and helps to keep the subtle skin shadings of the original texture. It can be used to acheive natural skin tones, but, I also tell how to get far-out colors as well, just in case you want something like a turquoise fairy. Of course, the process can also be used on just about any existing texture, not just those from Zygote. Also, it's not limited to face/body textures. You can also use it on textures for other figure models such as animals, props, etc. I hope to finish the tutorial in another day or two. In the mean time, did you check out the existing tutorials on Renderosity's web site? Do a search on "texture" and you'll find a number of them.

LOL! This is turning into a "Helpful Hints from Jaager" column!

Jaager, I'd like to put your advice to work for me also. However, I'm afraid I couldn't decipher the following secret code: "You can make and use nozzels (image hose ?) for skin. a.b.p.s.r. is a good source for skin, especially S.J.Hicks' closeups (DDG In Tight stuff). " I have Painter 5 so I know about image hoses, but, I'm not sure how to go about using it for skin. Do you have a kind of generic skin hose? If so, care to share it? (please, please!) What's a.b.p.s.r? Where are S.JHicks' closeups, and what's a DDG In Tight stuff? I'm kinda new to Renderosity so maybe I just haven't been around long enough to catch on to all the shorthand. (Just kidding!) (gggggggggggg)

Hey, big thanks Shadownet! Just what I was looking for!

Actually, I was really hoping to avoid modelling altogether. Not because I have anything against it, but because I'm really beginning to feel my ablilities at keeping up with the WAY too many software packages I already have are getting stretched too thin. Photoshop, Illustrator, GoLive, LiveMotion, Painter, Poser, Bryce, Canoma, RayDream... and that ain't all! My poor brain feels like it's made outta Jello by the end of some days! However, as I get deeper into Bryce and Poser I can see that I may not have an option to doing my own modelling - unless I choose to paint objects post-render. So, guess it's time to dust off the Ray Dream manual. I'll just have to add another cup of water to that Jello. But it's getting mighty jiggly! ;o)

Ahh, well... guess I gotta plunge into RayDream then to create the object I want - a simple brazier. Trouble is, I know I could knock it out with booleans in no time. I've never modeled in RD so it's gonna take me a lot longer. (sigh) Unless someone knows where I can get a brazier? It's just a simple bowl shape on a pole stand. Kinda like the modern touchier lamps. Thanks for the info anyway. :o)

I'm not sure that I understand what you're saying, Wyrwulf. Did you mean that PhotoShop, PaintShopPro, and Painter are too similar to warrant individual forums?

I'm assuming you mean that you're rendering in Poser. If you load the "Vicky Map" or "Vicky Map 2" figures as the came from Zygote, you should be able to get all the info you need. They are already set up with the proper settings. The attachted image shows how they are set for the eyelashes. Pay particular attention to the "Transparency Min" and "Transparency Max" sliders. They should both be set to 100%. Also, you must have the "Transparency Map" loaded with the proper trans map texture. Whether you set the "Object Color" to white or a color, depends on where you want Poser to get the eyelash color. Poser uses a combination of the "Object Color" and the color from the head "Texture Map" to determine the eyelash color. (The other color channels affect it too, but don't worry about them right now). If you set the "Object Color" to white, the eyelash color will be the color from the loaded "Texture Map". If you set the "Object Color" to something other than white, the color is a blend of the texture map and object colors. In my experience, it's probably easiest to either set the eyelash color in "Object Color" to the color you want and leave the eyelash portion of the head "Texture Map" white, or, leave the "Object Color" white and paint the desired color on your head "Texture Map". Trying to use colors in both areas can make it difficult to get the right color. (Unless they are the same, of course.) In ANY case, make sure the "Transparency Map" has the proper map loaded!!! MilLashes.jpg is the one supplied by Zygote. Good luck. I remember how confusing transparency was to figure out. It wasn't that long ago! ;o)

I'm not sure if this is the program you heard about, but, if you go into Rederosity's Online Store there is a program called "Still to Real." It also has a free demo version available in the Poser Free Stuff in the Utilities category. I've never used it myself, so I can't really give you any more info on it. Gem

Try www.mysimon.com It'll show the prices at a variety of online stores.

You could also try www.mysimon.com They will do a search for any product, give you the web store link, and price at each store. Hopefully, at least one will serve your needs. Good luck.

Here's how I do it. If there's anything you don't understand in the illustration, just let me know.

Oops! That's by Phillip Foss.

You might also want to check out Harper's .rsr converter utility. It's in the Poser Free Ftuff in the Utilities category. It will allow you to have the complete rendered image, bump maps, trans maps, and all applied.