Tons of options in texture and rendering...even more options in render room in c5.You really do have to play w/ lighting with people. I think the plugin is a better way to go...why beat yourself over the head. I don't have poser so it's a bit different.If I start to do more of that I am sure I will be getting poser or quidam unless DAZ does something. They're a great company so wouldn't surprise me. I am actually waiting for a bit better export out of D|S, which is the real problem. Altho, I am still trying to investigate it's ability to put out pz2 or pz3 in an indirect way. I would mention that using the transparency on seperate levels can be a bit confusing for people trying to use carrara from other programs. I would just use the alpha. I personally haven't seen enough difference to make it worth the extra steps.

No need to think outside the box....
    Just make it invisible.