by Michael A. Barnes        John R. Wind's Compose utility is an excellent tool for transferring files to and from MetaCreations' Poser figure design program. Compose is written in Java, a cross - platform programming language. Macs can run Java applications quite easily, as long they have the proper support files they need. Apple computer and Sun Microsystems both provide free software which enables Java to work on the Mac. MacCompose is a small "wrapper" that links the separate parts; when they are properly connected they will run like a single Macintosh program. Like Compose and all the other software mentioned here, MacCompose is free, and is yours for the asking.        If you've wanted to run Compose on your Mac, I'll show you how to do it, step by step. I'll show you where to get the pieces you need, how to put them together, and a little about using Compose in it's new form. You can follow me straight through by using the white "Next" arrow when you see it, or return to the previous page in sequence by choosing the blue "Back" arrow. You can jump around the site by choosing your options from the menu at the left. Just use the BACK button on your Internet browser to return to where you were before. If you are cruising through with your graphics turned off for speed, just use the text links at the bottom of each page to go to the section of your choice.        Are you ready? Good! Let's Get started!