How I do it! (and a new pic for effect..)
1) these renderings are made with Bryce 5.
2) I have a pre-built scene where there is a 2D panel in the background (I simply apply a new background texture as the mood strikes me.)
3) I simply import the model then apply a texture (which I make)
4) I hit the render button. Voila! I now have it basically all done.
5) add spfx elements like engine glow, beams explosions etc (as the mood dictates)
6) Render the tweaked scene.. and save.
7) load it into ArtGem and do a bit of post production.. Add the boarders, text, se4 logo etc.
8) resave the image.
9) boot up PSP and load the original .bmp.. then save it as a low loss .jpg to save bandwidth when I upload it.
10) post it here if the mood is right again.
Simple eh? And this process takes about 15 mins. Plus the render time that can be as much as 2 hours if there are alot of SP/FX in the scene.
Cheers!
EDIT: P.S. With this latest model I have taken the time to go through the different 'pieces' of the model and give them their own textures. I think it turned out ok, what do you all think?