Well, thanks again for resolving that little problem. I've even imported my Poser7 contents into DS (which I much prefer using btw). The only thing that I seem unable to locate are the texture maps for the poser figures (vers. 5 and below). This is despite doing a search on the Hard Drive under the requested names. I guess they may be called something else.

Yes, that's it. I was missing the stage of telling it that it was a Poser format. It's worked now many thanks. They're all there! phew.

Actually, I just had a brainwave. I took the DS application folder out of the applications folder onto the Hard Drive and renamed it Runtime. I then installed the Elephant and checked inside. Lo and behold, various components have installed in various locations, just as one would expect. I restored the name of my apps folder and put it back in the main apps folder, as it was before. I, thus, tricked the installer into putting the goods into the application folder. Clever eh? Well, not really - no sign anywhere of the elephant in the contents panel. I have noticed that the "working" items are all .daz files whereas the new stuff is .pz2 and has not actually installed in the exact locations as the working software. Now I'm beginning to think that there's a bit more to this than my inexperience. What do you reckon? I'm on OS X - version 10.4.11 btw.

Quote - Things within the folder have different locations, so they can coexist peacefully.

This is the crucial point - you may have nailed it there. I think that I can trace the problem back to the actual installation process. When I click on the install icon it fails to recognize the DS application folder and also gives me no option to direct the installation into it. Instead it creates a folder on the Hard Drive called runtime and puts all items into this. The software I can access (and use) is within the content folder of the application itself - this is Vicky, the fairy outfit and woodland scene. I notice, however, that within the application's runtime folder, only texture elements are stored. All other elements are dispersed throughout the content folder in, presumably, a correct manner - where they should be. What happens, when I direct the software to "add content" from another runtime folder, (within another named folder, as you suggest) is that it can then find the new stuff and list it all in the contents panel - but when I try to select and use it, nothing happens. I assume this is because the various components that make up a figure are not in their correct locations within the application folder, so the software cannot access the relevant data in the relevant place. I'm very used to installing all kinds of software and I feel that therein lies the problem. The various components of the new items are simply not in the correct locations for DS to be able to access them. I may be wrong here but it seems odd to me that the 'working' software is distributed around the applications folder in some kind of logical manner, whereas all components of the new stuff are just lumped together in one new 'runtime' folder. There isn't a lot of software out there that could make sense of that IMHO.

Hey, I might not be so stupid after all! I've just started a thread on this exact same topic: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2728213 Could give some of that a go and let me know if it works for you. Regards

Thanks guys, but still no joy I'm afraid. Everything happens as you say it will and I can now see all of the new items listed in my content panel but when I select them no icons appear in the panel below for me to choose from them. I have downloaded the free package with the Elephant, Dragon etc. and have named the runtime folder "runtime2" and have put it in the application's content folder and selected the content folder instead of the "runtime2" one. Also tried to load in the Poser7 stuff I have just installed, but it didn't show any content at all! It's very frustrating because I like the feel of DAZ but have hit this brick wall. I must be making a very simple mistake but I can't figure out what?

I've given this a go and I'm getting some results, although it still doesn't work. I've gone under Edit-Pref-Directories and added the "runtime" folder (that was created on my hard drive) to it and applied it. Subsequently the contents do display in a separate 'unnamed' folder but when I click on them to bring them in nothing displays in the panel below for me to choose from. DAZ sees the categories but won't bring them in. Have I missed a stage? Do I have to move this runtime folder into someplace else or rename it? Also, I don't understand what you mean by "should end up in a folder you have selected as a Poser content folder ". I haven't a clue how or why I should do this??? Thanks

Quote - a nice change of pace from the usual pinup.

Exactly my thoughts. It almost seems like an old oil painting - the kind of sepia tones and soft lines. I don't see it as a stab at realism per se, like it should be a photograph or such, rather a work of art which is an interpretation in any case. I think that opera has done well here, in so much as the software has only been a basis for the 'vision' a means to an end, so to speak. My only gripes are ones which are endemic within the CG genre. The texture on the background wall is too dominant and in-focus, when compared to the delicacy of the model. The pattern on the carpet looks too big, as if scaled up or as if the lady is about two foot tall. Overall the background has a kind of 'cut and paste' feel, rather than that of an atmospheric room, which the wonderful lady deserves. Less attention to detail, more soft focus - she should be stood in front of an attic window with pale light falling on her and just dusty hints of things in the background. I'm thinking 'Old Masters' = less is more! I haven't seen CG like this before. It's a unique 'signature' and very beautiful.

Quote - Yes shiva22 :)

File--->Import--->Background Picture

Let it resize your screen to match the BG size, this will get you the proper proportions. Resize it down (Window--->Document window size)  from there to fit your screen and comfort level :)

When you render,  render (Render--->render options--->New window) at the same size as your BG. The bigger the better.. When your picture is finally finished and all merged, you can reduce it's overall size to print or upload. The shrinking process makes the anti alias 'blend' in seemlessly.

:)

Thanks guys, I figured it must be possible.

First rate - very natural lighting and feel.

Awesome image! Is it possible to get figures for Poser with a 'bit more on them', or morph existing ones? I've only ever seen pics of typical Alpha types. Thanks

Quote - I usually render over the background I am going to use--THEN save as PNG. Drag it over holding the shift key down to place it in the exact same spot  (snap too)  :)  That way the anti alias matchs when you compose the layers

Hi All, I'm new to this forum and also new to poser (mines in the post heading my way). I do a lot of work in Photoshop and have a similar question. Is it possible to import a photographic image, say Tiff Eps or Jpeg into Poser to use as a backdrop to the figure you are composing? I figured this may be useful when creating figures that will be subsequently dropped onto the same shot. You could get the pose, lighting, angle and perspective 'spot on' before exporting. This Forum Does Rock btw! Thanks