Thanks a lot for all your inputs :o) Pretty nice leaves Patrick... but I guess I will have to stick with transparency mapping or a square leaf because I have no experience with modelling yet. I am using Poser, Bryce and Vue for now and that is why I am trying Carrara. I would love to learn to model. I love the feel of this app and I sure hope that Eovia will indeed release a plugin for Poser. It would make Carrara a tool of choice for me :o) BTW, is the manual that comes with Carrara detailed enough for me to learn how to model ? Elaine