I thought it was an issue with final gather, but it's a problem with the raytracing itself. light will pass through "cracks" that aren't there at all and on models that have smoothed normals, and create streaks or blotches of light. I've been playing around wit the normals and think that might be the issue, but I've redone the normals every way I can think of..

here are some screenshots:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/21092303/ren..._issues/1.jpeg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/21092303/ren..._issues/2.jpeg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/21092303/ren..._issues/3.jpeg
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/21092303/ren..._issues/4.jpeg

same thing happens when I export the same models as OBJ (only happens with the sofas) without the normals information even and reimport it into a totally new scene. I'm using directional light.

here's the chair OBJ:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/21092303/ren...sues/chair.obj

I can't see any hidden faces or double edges. what is going on? I have a good amount of experience with Maya, but I'm stumped by such a simple problem..