I concur with the "get into the Tutorials" thought. I have been doing them. But time is limited. I do what I can as fast as I can... but Life interferes some times and I have to do other things.
I have already been through the 3D_Buzz "Fundamentals DVDs" and quite a number of others from Simply Maya, here.
But it was more the "terminology' with the Transparency that left me unsure, more than the actual way of Creating what was Required.
I think that the whole thing was started by a "physical problem" of some sort and it was just causing the Lighting Set-up to "Not Function" within Maya itself. One moment NOTHING would allow the lights to turn on : and the next they were all "back" as good as gold. Go figure. But thank you all for your comments and your assistance. It has been very much appreciated.
Problem "SOLVED" ... For now Anyway. Thank you all.