I bought Poser 2 years ago when DAZ way Zygote and never really got into it because it never seemed to be a very useful and satisfying tool. However, recently, as if awakening from a deep sleep, I discovered the DAZ Victoria and Mike models and all the free, cheap, and very cheap stuff that seemed from the ads to produce actual photo-realistic output. I was blown away by the rendered images that I saw both in the adds in galleries on the net. Anyway, after spending over two months researching, I convinced my CEO that Poser was a must-have tool and warned him that there was lots of add-ons to buy. I finally took the plunge last Thursday, bought the V3 and Mike 2 paks, upgraded to Poser 5, and a bought bunch of other stuff. I have a hot project at work that is due beginning of this week. I figured that I would come in this past weekend and complete my project. Well, it took me over 12 hours to figure out that the reason why my Vickie renders did not look like the ads was because I needed a character pack (such as Amazing Grace) (or at least I think that is correct--is it?). I was totally frustrated trying to make my way through the many confusing libraries and injection morphs and the ridiculous scrolling options on the morph bars. I thought that once more I had been duped into believing the Poser could be a useful and satisfying tool. Then I figured out that I was missing something. I purchased the Amazing Grace package and suddenly a whole new world of 3D rendering opened up. It took a little bit longer to figure out how to render Grace to look exactly like the Renderosity ad. The only word that can adequately express my feelings is breathtaking. Then I bought and downloaded the Merlin pack and got the same results. So, this post is for anyone who is just starting to investigate the Power universe (as I was two months ago) and may be skeptical and frustrated and overwhelmed. Feel free to email me with questions. I had many decisions to make like Poser 4 or Poser 5, Pro Pak or no, pre-Victoria 3 models or V3? And on and on. I have been through alot of pain, but it has been worth it. And many thanks to all the people who are developing so many very high quality add-ons at such reasonable prices.