Hello,
In 'content' there is a facility to instal content from a zipped file. I have used it and it tells me the content is now in downloads, but it it does not show. Nor does content show that is installed manually. Any ideas please?

Lots of people do it different ways.

Most people use external runtimes also known as external libraries.  I do as well.

You can install content into your external runtime or your Poser download library by
clicking on the content tab at the top of your screen.  There, select install content, locate
the zip file, and select where you want it to go.  The default option is Poser 7 etc etc etc.
I can't remember exactly what it says there. 

I hope that helps.

Good luck.

Oops.  In content room you'll find .... "Install From Zip Archive" button.  After that, it  will
require you to find your zip, then where to install it. 

Your zip will have downloaded to your desktop, I'm sure?

It just gets so automatic after a while, you know?  You'll see.  :)

I would greatly recommend inspecting your zip content first before installation.  Many vendors conform to the hierarchial setup required by Poser for correct content placement within the runtime folder.  However, some inexperienced freebie authors do not properly zip content according to Poser protocol thus making it difficult to find associated files.  Either you can open the ZIP file with the appropriate application or extract content into a 'safe' folder on your desktop for closer inspection and correction before transferring to it's final destination.

 Thanks chaps, I have placed the files in the appropriate places (?). I did that many time with P7. Now that I am using P8 I followed the same procedure but they don't show up in the library ?

Quote -  Thanks chaps, I have placed the files in the appropriate places (?). I did that many time with P7. Now that I am using P8 I followed the same procedure but they don't show up in the library ?

This happens to me sometimes in poser8 when adding new runtimes. Just exit and re-enter Poser.

I don't have that experience.  Whenever I add to the runtime while Poser is active, I refresh the folder.  Appears all the time.