http://www.freehand.co.uk/Plugins/detail.aspx?productID=126 Gesture Max is a plugin for 3d studio max that reads Poser (.pz3) files , and imports the character into 3ds max. Unlike other programs, plugins and utilities that import Poser models, Gesture Max moves the complete model into max, including the morph channels. This means that it is no longer necessary to return to Poser each time the character must be repositioned or animated. All Actors, Figures and Props (to use Poser terminology), along with the textures and morphs are effectively moved from the Poser environment to the 3ds max environment. In addition, the user has the option to rig the Figure, using native max bones, or Character Studio biped, and to skin the Figure using the skin modifier, or Character Studio Physique. The new 3ds max characters are ready to added to the pipeline for animation and rendering.

thanks Erlik, I really hadn't had a chance to try out the technique.

I like the waterfowl idea the best. you might be able to find a poser model that would work. is there anyway you could darken the ground around the lake edge? I've had this problem in stuff i've done as well the texture looks so static, as though the ground at the lake edge wouldn't get wet. You have an excellent image so far. check out the galleries (specifically DryFly) for inspiration. and good luck

I tried it after checking the "solid while boolean rendering" in the edit menu and it worked just fine. I've used studio max for more complex meshes, but it seemed pretty straightforward and it something I've done a lot with primitives. thanks clay, and thanks to all respondants.

that would be amazing!

you're right of course, I realized it right after i sent it.So all i have to do is save a mesh in the libraries/geometry for it to create a .pp2 file?

i'm using 3dstudio max 3 and I have rhino if i need it for more nurbs. there doesn't seem to be much in the way of import tools. I can't export a .cr2 file from max. can I?