I just exported a dolphin as an .obj from poser4 -the first time i did it with poser4-there was this .mtl file along with it-i noticed it when i exported from painter3d -any ideas what it is and why its there-do i need it?

The .mtl is a resource file created at the same time as the .obj file. Basically it contains pointers to all of the materials (in Poser's case bump/texture/transparancey maps) used in the file. If you import the .obj into Bryce, all the textures will be loaded as well (presuming you've kept the .obj file in the same directory as the textures - otherwise Bryce will ask you to find them in a standard file selector box). Any other 3d program (like 3DS) which can read an .obj file and it's relevant .mtl file will also import the textures (correctly mapped) as well. Paul

very cool-thanks

heyas; its all very fascinating, but i really liked it better when the obj's just had usemtl statements in 'em. can i delete the mtl files? (i tried that with one model once, and it wouldnt open in ray dream. :/ ) is there a trick to it?

delete the .mtl file, and then open the .obj file in a text editor and strip out that line that calls the .mtl should be right at the top. -Trav

heya; cool, thanks trav!