I get this same problem under Parallels as Michael describes. Unfortunately even when allocating 256mb of ram to the video card the images do not show up. Even using small images (around 300k). I just boot into bootcamp when I need to use images. I've yet to try Vmware Fusion to see if it's the same.

Hi Mike yeah 256mb of ram available should be plenty to hold an image texture.

Maybe there is some information in MoI's debug log about what particular video card thing is failing.

Could you try this - start up a new session of MoI under Parallels and try to insert an image into it so you get that problem. Then hold down the Ctrl key and click on the "MoI" title text in the upper right corner area of the main MoI window.

That will open up a debug menu, and the first thing on the menu is "Show log" - pick that one and then in the log window you can right-click on the text control and do a "Select all", and then right-click and pick "Copy" to copy the log text to the clipboard to paste in a message here so I can see it.

That could possibly give me a clue as to what Direct3D thing in Parallels is not working right.

- Michael

Yep, Parallels is the problem. Parallels defaults to using a built-in video driver. I've asked on the Parallels forum whether it's possible to have a Windows Virtual machine to use 'real' drivers but they're pretty hopeless at helping there so we'll see.

In the meantime I've installed Windows 7 on Bootcamp and Moi3D is displaying backdrop images.

YAY!

Thanks all!
Sean