Hi all, Im a complete newby to Bryce and 3d in general. Been messing with Bryce and really love the range of stuff thats possible, Ive just been doind abstract arty stuff so far. Anyways, Ive been raiding the net for all the free software I can get my hands on. Which one do you think fits best with Bryce for importing entire Bryce scenes for animating. Any other comments would be cool, particularly as to how Im going to get similar/better render results with other software. thanks in advance

one url to find them all: www.wings3d.com freeware modeller. there's some tutorials on site about it, as well as a forum for it. it's the perfect complement to bryce, since bryce can only handle boolean modelling (as in negative, positive, intersection of primitive shapes). but if you're new to bryce i would suggest leaving that for a while and just messing around with the program. again, there are plenty of tuts out there for it :) drac

Hey here's a tip!! Animate your entire Bryce scene in.....................................................................................................................................BRYCE!!!!

yep second wings3d as a modeler and use bryce for render / scene creation

dangit, I was gonna recommend Wings 3d, but someone else got there (we're a small, but friendly mafia..and we can make an offer you can't refuse..;) first. In addition, there's anim8tor (1 file, free, and fits on a floppy), Amapi 4.15, and a few others you can find the download sites for over in the Modelling forum here. I have an extensive list of free software, Bryce sites, etc., if you want to IM me with an email address, I can send it along..

Freebies for Text objects and spiral shapes, Elefont and Spiralizer respectively. I have to go with Wings3D for modelling, as well. If you're just starting out, you might want to use objects from the Free Stuff section at first, just till you get the hang of moving things around in Bryce, texturing, lighting scenes, etc. I would also recommend you build your experience with Still Shots before attempting animation. And as always, #1 on the Bryce Forum reading list, Susan Kitchens' "Real World Bryce 4". Don't use Bryce without it. :^) John

1. Learn Bryce. Find out what you can do with it and where your limitations are. 2. After you figure out what shapes and forms aren't exactly easy to do with booleans or efficient with terrains... Then get Wings3D. There's no excuse not to. Doesn't cost a thing, and it's probably the easiest polygon modeler in existance. 3. Get UVmapper. Classic if you're a cheapskate (like myself) or Pro if you want a few more features. This will allow you more flexibility in how you can go about texturing your imported models. 4. Anim8or: has many features including a modeler. Can also use it to rig and pose figures. Also produces modest quality renders. However animations in Anim8or (like those in the much costlier Poser) don't directly import into Bryce.

I think Wings3D is the best choice. There is a free version of lightwave, but it's pretty hard to use, at least for me :P. There is another one called "Blender" which I tried, but got frustrated :(. Also take tjohn and Pauljs75's advice, about learning what you can and can't do in bryce5.

You can animate your scenes within Bryce, no outside software required, and all of the above...

Yep... I would do as afore mentioned.... Probably the biggest thing to do first is to work with Bryce 5 and see how it will and won't fit your needs. But Bryce 5 is a pretty versatile program. I have seen some pretty impressive animations done in Bryce. As for modeling.... from my understanding, as I haven't ever used it, Wings 3D is very easy to use and best of all.... It is absolutely FREE!!! (Note to self---"download Wings3D"), Check out Dracs stuff. he models a lot of stuff in Wings3D and he is, in my opinion anyway, a master in the use of Wings3D. Just my 2 pennies, Wade

Well thanks for all the advice, too many to thank individually. I decided to go for the Truespace 6.6 boxed offer for about 340 bucks (that exchange rate also helps being in europe), also includes the proteam getting started tutorial pack. As Im a complete newbee I figured good training material is a must and from my searching on the net theres loads for Truespace. But mainly it was the ridiculous price that ensnared me, even though I cant really afford it :) Ive tried Blender in the past but found the learning curve too steep, even though it looks to be the best free complete package. Will give wings a go. Anyway, Ive found some really cool stuff which Ill post links to when I get home. Will post some of my creations as soon as I feel theyre worthy, which wont be easy looking at the amazing stuff you people are doing. On the bright side its really inspiring :)

Actually, Alias software is giving out a free version of Maya 5,and it exports too(as well as saves).You can use it free as long as it isn't for commercial use.For 20$ they will send you a training DVD(showing how the program works,and a few projects as well),with the program on a cd(to download it from them is around 130 megs).I'll see if I can find the link to Alias,or just google it.You can't beat 20$.

Yeah, I looked at that as well but the watermark and lack of export/import put me off, plus its too expensive if I ever wanted to get the "real" version. There is a similar offer from one of the other big names, cant remember who. They even have a comparison chart comparing their educational version vs the maya version.

yeah..could use Maya..;) heck, I'm downloading the 2nd Redhat iso file now..after 600 meg, what's 130?..;)

Just saw this info on another forum.... You can download Truespace 3.2 for free here: http://forms.caligari.com/forms/ts3all_free.html tuts for truespace 3.2 at http://www.kidzonline.org/teachit/3D_DV.html A lot of people love Truespace, a lot of other people can't make hog or dog of it!!! I bought Truespace (5 or 6, can't remember which) and had to avail of the the 30-day return policy. I'll join in the chorus for Wings, it's a lovely modelling program.