Hi Bernard, What version of Chimera are you using? I would probably try a fairly recent version such as the Feb 11 snapshot http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/download.html#snapshots because since the Nov 2007 production release, there have been lighting changes to improve povray results, and also a bug that generated "no pigment type" warnings and black areas in povray images has been fixed. However, if you are already using a new version, it may be a different issue, and you could send us more information about the problem (see Help... Report a Bug in the Chimera menu). That reporting mechanism will automatically look up what hardware you have and what version you are using, and will let you attach extra files if desired. Best Elaine ----- Elaine C. Meng, Ph.D. meng@cgl.ucsf.edu UCSF Computer Graphics Lab and Babbitt Lab Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry University of California, San Francisco http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/home/meng/index.html On Feb 19, 2008, at 7:23 AM, Bernard Heymann wrote:

Hi I'm trying to use povray directly from Chimera and everything works. However, the isosurface of my density comes out practically black, even though the clipping plane is rendered fine. I played a bit with lighting, but that does not seem to make a difference. Could you give me some guidance? I can send an output picture if needed.

Bernard Heymann Rm 1515, 50 South Dr, NIH, Bethesda, 20892-8025 Tel 301-451-8241, Fax 301-480-7629