I agree Vue is a nice program on its own.  However when it comes to the actual render I personally have found Lux to be far superior as you said, "with less work".  I have done several renders comparing Vue vs DAZ vs Lux... Lux as far as I can tell does a MUCH better and more believable job MUCH more quickly (again with the less work). 

You can get some dang good results (as seen in the movies) with vue.  But you have to fork over mad sums of cash to get those results.  I myself own Vue frontier 9 (cheapo version compared to infinite / xstreme) and it is very nice, but equally limited, Lux... is free.

So when it comes to my basic renders of small prebuilt scenes and models... I use Lux.  When it comes to making terrain and the like... I use Vue.  But if I could use Lux to render for Vue... that would be amazing!

I wonder if the 7 year difference in posts is going ot be any issue here? LMAO!

I too have been seeking a nice lekku conforming or otherwise.  It seems a lot of quality Star Wars stuff is hard to come by.  Fear of George Lucas sicking you with a gungan movie I suppose.

I wasnt even aware that one could "clothify" conforming clothing.  This is something I shall have to try as I too find it frustrating that the dresses NEVER have enough moprhs for all your possible poses.  I will let you know if I have better luck.

Im no expert but uh....I believe everyone here has called you out admin2.  Now would be a good time to hide as someone is bound to turn rat. 

That aside, I am confused about this "scene" everyone is speaking of.  When I clicked thel ink its a rose.  A single rose on a black background.  No 3d model, no mesh...just an image.  Its selling for 20.00!!! not 5.00.  Did I miss something or am I WAY late on this thread? lol

You make some very valid points that I didnt really think about.  I guess as a "poster" to the site, I am on occasion a little sceptical on the purpose of those who do not post.  But its simply due to my intentions on this site versus say, yours.  I mysel appreciate the fact that (if it is like you say) when you post, its with a purpose.  Rather than the usual copy paste responses.  Does this mean I trust  you more or less than anyone else...no...but that is an issue that I have to deal with on my own.  But again, some very nice points.

I dont have a lot out, and a lot less of what I have out there is any good.  But it is strange when I get favored by someone who posts nothing.  No comments, no images, just an account.  I guess one thing I would like to see is the sight diable right clicking.  This way we can prevent people from taking our images from the site.  Granted I am flattered if anyone would actually want to take my work...but a lot of us are not "technically" copywrited.  Its a risk.

Well I finally posted something in the competition, though I think its crap and only posted it to say I actually did.  The pic I was TRYING to make in bryce and just wouldnt happen is now posted in my gallery...its called "Kissed by the Rain."  I finished it in Vue instead.

Crashing.. I have never actually had DAZ crash on me, or Vue for that matter.  Bryce on the other hand..........no comment.

I dont know about the texture names being an issue or not...though that does explain why sometimes certain textures just wont show up half the time.  But I found a way where I can do this challenge and still keep my sanity.  For any of you having similar issues and want an alternative route, here is what I am doing;  Rendering a background in Vue.  Turning said background into a HDRI map.  Taking my model from DAZ into Bryce along with the new HDRI...render...clean...submit.  Time consuming yes, but at least I can get to the rendering part now! LOL

I may check out carrara, but as far as this challenge goes, there is just no way Im gonna make it.  I like bryce's interface too, but I dont mind the four screens either, make moving things simpler (at times.)  I just wish DAZ (being quick and efficient) would work with Vue (being the best rendering engine I have ever used.)

Ok folks, I have been working at this for a week now and I have come to two conclusions...

1. There is no way I am going to submit anything done in bryce again!

2.  I hate Bryce!  I have been grinding on this pic for so long, my laptop has 756 MB of RAM.  It keeps crashing bryce and saying things like, Out of Memory.  My comp at home is saying THE SAME THING and it has 3Gig of RAM.  Conclusion, Bryce is the suxours and I am sticking with Vue!

I just wish there was some way to get DAZ to work with Vue.  Just think, the two fastest and best rendering progs out there working in unison!  Ahhh a little slice of artistic heaven!

Best of luck to all of you who have the patience to deal with 'Out of Memory' Errors and constant crashes... When I get the time I will redo the pic I origionally wanted to in VUE, c ya!

sigh bryce has already crashed 3 times working on this.....Here goes another try.