Neither cheap nor plastic (how about paper?). Just browse through some of the galleries. Look at some of the images created by Rochr, AS, Woodhurst, Shadowdragonlord, Clay, ICM, Madmax, Zhann, Flak, Derjimi, Pidjy, Incarnadine, GROINGRINDER....and the list goes on. We, as a community are doing things with Bryce for which is was not originaly intended. Originaly, it was intended to be a terrain modeling program (correct me if I'm wrong). Now, I'm seeing works that COMPLETELY SMOKE those made by the "high-end" programs. Improve the render times and facilitate the animation part of the program (and a few other things) and Bryce could give the big names a serious run for their money. When we get the next version of Bryce (Yo, you big wigs reading this or what?) some even more incredible things could happen. I was looking to start learning one of those high end programs with the wicked learning curves, but after applying myself a little more and having modelled my industrial plant and the oil platform that I am working on, I've put the idea on the back burner. So what if it only costs $90 and the others a couple/few hundred to thousands of dollars? As drawbridgep said "Buying a more expensive paintbrush doesn't mean that you will create a better painting." It's what you do with what you have that makes a difference. Apply yourself to Bryce, read tutorials and experiment. Before you know it, you'll create something wonderful. It's as real as you want it to be.

Because I like to blow $%&# up.

Don't fear the night.  Fear what hunts at night.