After reading how to fix the default water, I imagine Guitta could help me also. I rendered a scene in 'Ultra' mode, and much to my dismay, it came out way over-smoothed (if that's a word)on objects that need definition. Like bushes (they look like cotton-candy), the terrain (lost lots of great bump texture. I'd be willing to post a copy of it, but it's not very good. I was aiming my sights for Eon, but it came out so poorly i'd have to do it over (again, LOL!). I've got cascading water in it, if that entices you kids to help me (everybody loves water falling). I sure could use some advice. BillyGoat

Try broadcast quality instead. Ultra has two antialize passes so it tends to smooth. You can't adjust ultra so I'd use User or Broadcast if the smoothing is goofing you up.

Thank you! I didn't go there as I was sure it was a half step below. I'll give it try. I usually use my own settings, but it has to be ultra or broadcast. BTW, I did learn to group and layer efficiently (from reading your old threads). Thanks for that big time. :-)

You might also want to try (at least on bushes) turning off anti-aliasing for them. I do that sometimes with tree leaf materials to get a spikier look.

I didin't know you could turn off anti-aliasing selectively. Can you tell me where in the manual to find out how? I'm still learning. Thank you!

It's one of the optoins on any material in the material editor. I've tried it, use it with great care you would be wise to use bumps and broadcast quality instead. The edges do not get fixed and it shows we you turn it off. Page 172 of the book

I appreciate the advice MP. Think i'll use the bumps etc as you suggested.