I was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent book or two on the software. Susan Kitchen's Real World Bryce got mixed reviews, are there any others that you can recommend? I'm sure there are many tuts on the Internet, I'll look for those, but really want a well-written book on it as well. I've noticed there aren't many written. I had Bryce 2 a long time ago so I'm not completly in the dark, but it's been a while since I've used it. Many thanks in advance for your replies.

Not sure why it would get "mixed" reviews, it's a must have. IMO, it, along with the numerous tutorials found here and there on the net, are all that's needed to dig deep into Bryce. I'd consider getting Susan's book along with a good book specific to postworking techniques. Good luck and welcome (back) to the Bryce family!

You won't find mixed reviews for RWB in this forum. :^)

Oops...my mistake. It was books by a guy named Shamms or whatever. Yes, I see that on Amazon people have rated her book highly. Placed the order five minutes ago :) Thanks for your help!

Good move. RWB is the best book available. Only the trees and metaballs aren't covered. Keep the Bryce manual for info on those. You won't need the manual for anything else. :^)

And don't forget tutorials at Brycetech, Peter Sharpe and Robin Wood sites. For the newbies like me, I really appreciated the base and intermediate courses at Robin Wood. Here is her URL: http://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Technical/BryceTuts/BryceTutSet.html

Actually for metaballs do a search on this forum and you'll find a ton of info that isn't in the manual. For trees got to bryctech.com

Also for trees there are a couple of very pertinent threads on their behaviour here. Really worth checking!

I bought the Shamms book (as it was the only one on Bryce at my local Borders). I'd give it mixed reviews as well. As a complete newbie in Bryce, it's ok, but after comparing the color illustrations in the book to the work I've seen here, my opinion of the book has dropped further. In all fairness, I'm only half way through chapter 2. Guess I'll look into getting the other book too!

I have the Shamms book as well, problem with his books is that he's a pretty fair writer, but his abilities and experience with the software are pretty average. Most Brycers here are more advanced skillwise than the examples from his book show him to be. Not so of the Kitchens' book, the best work of some of the best Bryce artists are all over it. And Kitchens' book has the right combination of clear writing and solid knowledge of the software. A must have, and a great first place to look when you have a question about Bryce. If you can't find your answer there, come here, somebody will probably be able to fill in the gaps. :^)

I downloaded Robin Cooks tutorials extracted from the online classes... those are the best I've see yet. Better than my Shamms book.

Well another thing going for RWB is that Kitchens personally know the creator of Bryce and has been with it since the begining so she knows the ins and outs of the program.