Mastone : Thanks for that i understand it a little better now, it is very subtle but i can tell that using the spotlight as a mental ray area light just softens the whole thing slightly.
Hammer: I just tried doing it your way and its a lot faster - (the 1st time i got lost but makes sense now) very fast and gives good results without faffing with the scene.
Thanks guys!
Last edited by bigtommyb; 17-01-2009 at 11:49 AM.