No - the FFRender script's chief advantage is full control over IDL parameters.

 ok thats what i thought - though miss nancy's statement ( i failed @ quoting ) made it sound like there was a switch or something to make it flip on specular lol

JWFokker noted that scaling up the model will help with reducing the annoying black artifacts.  He would be correct.  I have tried maxing out the D3D controls on the IDL and I was still getting those tiny little black spots along the shadow lines between body parts and clothing that was tightly close together.  Nothing helped.  In fact, the higher I adjusted my firefly controls, the more of the tiny flecks that appeared.  On a lark, I increased the overall body size of my V4 to 500% and voila!  The flecks are completely gone.  I was using one infinite shadow casting light set with an IBL and a non-shadow complimentary light from below.  Unsure if this will work with point lights without having to move them a lot more.  But again, the black flecks disappeared entirely and the render is perfect with character set to 500% in size.

Thank you JW for noting that.   Also thanks to Bill for guiding us as always. 

It would be nice to have a series of presets supplied. One of these scriptwriters could do it.

The presets would be categorized into type of scene, then each have options like:

No Raytracing Or IDL

• Medium Quality
• Hi Quality
• Ultimate Render

Raytracing Without IDL

• Medium Quality
• Hi Quality
• Ultimate Render

Raytracing With IDL

• Medium Quality
• Hi Quality
• Ultimate Render

That was the best part of this thread, as most of this is wayyyyyyyyyy over my head, and I am very late to the game... Read the whole thing, and am still clueless. Marinating, give it a while to tenderize and flavor the meat.....

If it was only that easy.  However, you can save your own presets that work well for you in your render settings.  At least, you won't need to rely on settings which only get you "in the ball park".

I'm getting there... Dentistry w/o the novacaine I suppose =P

I'm just too "eager" for the learning curve of lighting in what feels like a new program...

Consider it more like an evolution.  It does take time.

Sorry if I come off as a pita =/ It feels at times like I'm the only one doing hundreds of test renders, but I know that isn't the case =P Anything to ease that pain is welcomed... You are an outstanding member of the communty, I wonder about how you guys aqcuire your knowledge of these programs... Who were/are the people you fall back on for tips and such?!?

Time... When pressed for that precious, intangible resource, it is better to load a light setting preset so I can spend time modeling and texturing rather than doing test renders =P

I'll get the hang of it..... It's hard not to get envious of others oh-so-awesome results, we don't "see" the time it took to get to that point.

You have an eagerness to learn.  That is not being a PITA.  There are a tremendous number of individuals always willing and able to help.  Don't be afraid, just ask away.  That's why we roam the forum.

Superman as an avatar is fitting for you =)

Thank you...