By request I post this tip/tutorial on how to make complex- and large-looking Bryce trees while maintaining a relaitively low polygon-count and filesize. (For reference, either view the attached file or go to my gallery page.) Most tricks are simple when you know them, and this is another one ;o) Dense foliage can be made with a bitmap representation of a "branch/twig with leaves" substituting a single leaf. In this case I designed the twig in Photoshop on the basis of one scanned beech leaf, placing several copies around the (hand-drawn) twig structure. Real-life twigs may work well, too. Don't forget to make a black/white copy to be used for transparency map.I don't claim this trick to be a novelty as such, but I haven't seen it in Bryce before. I'm told that it has been used in other applications (e.g. Xfrog) but unlike Bryce trees, imported objects tend to be large in file size. My demo has a filesize of 2,16 mb (not 2,4, as I've written in the commentary with the image). The trick may be simple, but the possibilities are great, in terms of tree lab design: Not only will it beat any other design attempts of complex/dense foliage by a mile (or a lot of megs at least) but - well, think of the possibilites - trees with different size/colours, flowers, berries - you name it. (Some of these imaginary designs may not work too well in close-ups - but then you can always use the "hard way" with sepereate objects.) I'll make the prototype beech-branch texture available ASAP in the freestuff area (incl. instuctions tips) - but the trick is so simple, that you can make your own complex trees. Most bitmaps can be used for "User Leaf" texture, here's a brief instruction on how to apply it, in case you don't know already: 1) Create a default tree, enter the tree lab (click "Edit"). 2) For "Foliage" choose "User leaf", then "Image" and load the desired image AND the transmap in the image editor, and "OK". 3) Then enter the Material editor for the foliage. Settings should be "Blend transparency", and for transparency source, the image texture (A). You may wish to change the ambient settings as well: I prefer to use the image as ambient source (A). I also change the specular to something above 50%. Bumps can be applied too. For special purposes, the image source could be made partly transparent (lets light show trough the leaves, useful in back-lit scenes). --- I'd be happy to supply any further information. Cheers, Lars.

cool and useful tip... thanks, Lars. and the photograph [sic ;)] you included is wonderful. just kidding... that is a beautiful render.

Thank you so much, Lars! This helps me alot with tree lab. I've been avoiding trees for the most part, because of file size. Wonderful idea. Mike.

That's a help Lars, thanks a mil! I'll have to give it a try and see if I'm as successful as you've been. Cie

Thanks Lars! I tried your technique on a palm tree lol.

AS

Thanks for the instructions...very useful! Looking forward to your branch texture!

blue ardor, that looks very "Terry Gilliam" (monty python). too cool

and I had completely forgotten about AgentSmith walking around pulling limbs off of trees until I saw that image... :)

All in the name of Bryce. AS