Lol! I didn't realise that was an icon extention. I thought they were all just ico. No i'm not trying to use icon files as textures it's before i even try and load any texture at all! I usually use Targa. Are they a good format to use? Oh yeah, after I click close on the xpm2bmp I get this in the comand feedback line in maya: Warning: File not found: render_mentalrayPhenomenon.xpm Hmmmm, sounds not to good does it? Although, strangly, it seems to render ok with mental ray. I'd just like to know why it does it. I'm pretty confused.