MC you're doing great. Realism isn't necessary, unless you want it, then it is. I try to help people achieve realism. I try not to force people into it. But you're into it already and I've lurked for days instead of speaking. I'm really busy at work, but I want to help.

There's a ton to talk about. You're making progress - don't be overwhelmed.

First thing I want you to do - get my light meter, read about how to use it, and use it. You will find what you're doing wrong in this scene very quickly.

The light meter is here:

http://sites.google.com/site/bagginsbill/file-cabinet/BBLightMeter.zip?attredirects=0&d=1

And you can read about it here

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2798745&page=3#message_3627657

The light meter can show you:

1. How light is distributed in your scene and whether or not it is too even.

2. How much is the peak light. Are you over exposing?

3. Do you have a good balance between specular and diffuse (imbalance being caused by IDL alone - Indirect DIFFUSE Light)

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Renderosity forum reply notifications are wonky. If I read a follow-up in a thread, but I don't myself reply, then notifications no longer happen AT ALL on that thread. So if I seem to be ignoring a question, that's why. (Updated September 23, 2019)