Thanks Zenman, what do you mean by "reduce one or more of the variables"? If it's true what you say about the hair, perhaps I can eliminate the shadows for the "scull cap". Hmmmm, I'm going to see if I can do that. They're not needed anyway. You know...you brought up something I'm a little short of understanding on. What is a shadow map? Thanks

Thanks Gabriel. I wasn't thinking about that when I posted my reply; it dawned on me afterward what you meant. DOH! Thanks Emily. Yes I've tried rebooting several times and I just defraged last week. From what I've read about the new Intel 3.6, it is a single processor that works like a dual and I don't know how that would affect P5. If I could determine it is the lighting I might take up your suggestion. I'll probably upgrade anyway (I'm a tech geek and I have to have the latest & greatest. Besides, it'll probably help speed up Bryce renders too). Thanks for the link.

I don't have a copy of P4 anymore. I was using a friends copy but felt guilty about it so I sprung for P5 and srtipped P4 off my machine. Thanks anyways.

Thanks, the shadows that FF produces is key to this. It'll just need a little touch up in PS if I can get it rendered.

Attached Link: http://www.3dmax.com

What I do is I select the "from top camera view" and zoom out; from there you can see'em, move'em, aim'em real easy. All you have to do is go back to main view to see your results. Viola!

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=326693&Start=37&Sectionid=1&WhatsNew=Yes

Try increasing your virtual memory.

...and TJ, let's not forget the Japanese who were blamed for bombing Pearl Harbor and the American people followed Roosevelt into war because of their anger over that.

No, humanity has not learned anything, nor will it, because it is evil in nature, history is clear on that. Savages come and savages go and the only chance for Freedom & Liberty to exist in this world, unfortunately, comes at the high cost of standing up to them when they do come. The only alternative is slavery.

I offer a thought through an often misquoted quote: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905 We can do well to remember the atrocities of past & present despots & tyrants: the Ceasars, Saladin, King George, Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot, Mao & Saddam. If you see your brother being beaten by a band of thugs do you walk on and say to yourself: "this is not my argument, I cannot get involved". In so saying, can you live with your sin of omission? Thank you Darkwispers for inspiring this dialogue through your excellent work.

Pages 51 & 52 of the P5 manual tells you how.

NUTS! Thanks Little Dragon

I just had the exact same problem in P5 running XP,1.5g ram,1.6mhz. Mine had 5 figures and 7 spotlights. I increased the VM to the max and it didn't work. I think the demands placed on Poser with certain complex works may be taxing a video cards capabilities. For myself, I am going to try upgrading my video card to the new ATI 9700 pro and see if that will solve my hang up problem.

You can apply background pictures to your scenes to enhance your creations. It's not hard, but as an old teacher of mine used to say "it's in the book". The best thing you can do to get your creative juices flowing is reading the manual and learn the features. Often times, backgrounds, lighting, camera angles can add a lot to your work; but you have to learn how to use them. This forum has a wealth of info and many are generous with help. Furthermore, many will enhance their work in Photoshop or Painter Pro, etc. before they post their work and mony will credit the "post-work". Again, the manual is tough, but if you read it in front of your screen and do the things it says it shouldn't take too long to get the hang of it. Good luck...look forward to your postings!

Check out the stuff Phil-C posts. He's got some great tut's, and I've read he has a CD or something that helps. Maybe he would like to jump in here and give himself a plug.