Hi everyone! I've decided that PRO-RENDER is going to be FREE!
But before I say how and when, I wish you would all take the time to
read what I have to say on the matter, at least grant me that wish.

Here goes...

Right, first of all, I need you all to know, that when I post a reply
to the posts made in this thread, I come here to have a read,
and then go OFFLINE to prepare and write a reply. The problem with this
method is that inbetween the time I read the replies, and the time I
get back to Renderosity to post my own reply, even more people have
asked questions. So obviously, your questions might not get answered in
the reply DIRECTLY after your question. Whenever this may be the case,
please bear with me, I will answer ALL questions one way or another.
I think this needs to be pointed out because of one comment inparticular,

i.e. "Ah....never mind." from RubiconDigital.

I was'nt ignoring you, I would never do that without good reason.
It`s just that I had'nt read your question before I posted my previous reply.
So, here is an answer to your question. No, Bryce does'nt have a plugin
architecture, or at least, as far as I know, it does'nt. And as described
in my previous reply, no, I did'nt write a new Radiosity solution.
Also, as far as your comment "...you Bryce folks are being led by the nose."
I think that's a little unfair to say the least. As far as I am concerned,
I'm just doing my best to publicise a product which I thought would be
of interest, and to answer questions in the best way I can.

Up until VERY recently, I was not a member of Renderosity, and as such,
I had no Idea of just HOW passionate some members are about Bryce.
The only tutorials I could find on Global Illumination where found
on "non-membership" websites, which where found through web searches etc.
During that time I found the following methods:

1 - To use weak shadowless area lights.

2 - To use light domes/planes etc.

3 - To use full-on blurry reflections.

So, I set about trying to better the situation by developing my own method.
What I came up with is PRO-RENDER.

However, because of what has been pointed out to me in this thread,
I realise that I`ve MASSIVELY underestimated the abilities which have
been under development by you guys. Without Renderosity, I felt like
a loner, and just a nobody who has a great interest in something, which
would bore the pants off the avarage Bryce user. I had the impression
that people would'nt really be that bothered about such highly technical
matters as Global Illumination, but if I could crack it, the results would
be welcomed with open arms.

Well, now I can understand where I've gone wrong here. Because after
I'd read that post by PJF giving advice, I decided I may well have to
change my strategy. So, streight away, I searched the name PJF, and it
threw up threads which can only be described as MINDBLOWING.
Well, PJF and the others in the associated threads, REALLY know their
stuff. Being dropped into a thread like that was absolutely amazing
reading for me. I only wish I had known about the place sooner.

So, the point being, I think you guys saw me as someone who had come
along, only to make some quick money out of a re-assembly of the work
you guys had been working on for ages. In reality, that's simply
not true. I would have loved to have been around here from the very
start of those threads. I would have been only too happy to give input
on those matters, just as I would love to do so now, and in the future.
That is of course, if I am welcome here, after this unfortunate mess.
I hope so.

The PRO-RENDER method uses true ambience, just as some of your methods do.
But after reading some of the threads, I have to say that PRO-RENDER
seems to differ in method in some respects. For example, in post number-31,
PJF shows an image, and goes on to say that he has'nt yet been able to
develop it any further. Well PJF, I think PRO-RENDER is possibly the
method you are seeking! PRO-RENDER does have it's quirks, but it does
render really clean'n'bright looking images with minimal grain,
and no leakage. I've also got some extra information on control of
aperture, film grain, and abberation that might interest you, and others.

Returning to the main matter now, I totally agree with what has been
said, regarding the marketing strategy behind PRO-RENDER. Knowing what
I know now, I would feel bad about "selling" the product, even though it
is my own work. I'm sure everyone here is well aware that scene files,
material presets, and tutorials are all valid merchant products
on their own, but not it seems, when they are packaged together as a
product, which is essentially what PRO-RENDER consists of.

No, I see the points being made here, and would like to make things right!

As I stated to Slakker, I would make PRO-RENDER available for free.
As a man of my word, that's exactly what I'm going to do. Even though
I'm not sure the methods are the same, NO WAY would I try to "sell"
PRO-RENDER, and never would have in the first place, if I'd known then,
what I know now.

So, that leaves just one more thing to decide, that being, how best to
distribute and promote this now FREE product. I suggested, the "Free Stuff"
area or Renderosity already, and that should be great, but I think I have a
much better Idea, and it's an idea which again, I would like some feedback on.

What I propose is this...

The website for my business (www.pumeco.com) has been paid for in advance.
But now, because of the change in strategy, it would be idle for a long time,
at least until the completion of the Poser projects I'm developing.
So, why waste it? It could still be the homepage of PRO-RENDER, but with
a totally different strategy.

What I would like to do is dedicate space and bandwidth to PRO-RENDER
on www.pumeco.com However, I would like PRO-RENDER to become a sort of
evolving "open project" as opposed to JUST a product. The name PRO-RENDER
would become public property, to be used as a sort of "by-word" for
anything related to serious Bryce rendering, whether it be files, knowledge,
tips, tricks, tutorials, or pics. Therefore, PRO-RENDER becomes a product
of the best of everything any member has to offer. Just as people might
think of Renderosity when they think about 3D art, people could eventually
think of PRO-RENDER when they think about Bryce rendering, visit the
PRO-RENDER homepage, and hopefully get what they want.

Heres an example of how it could work...

The options included on the official PRO-RENDER homepage might go
something like this...

HOME - NEWS - GALLERY - TUTORIALS - SUBMIT - DOWNLOAD - LINKS

HOME -
This would be the welcome page, and could be used to describe what
PRO-RENDER is all about to newbies etc.

NEWS -
This is where there could be all the latest announcements about the evolving
PRO-RENDER. The announcements could be made by ANYONE who contributes
anything to PRO-RENDER.

GALLERY -
This is where images created with the help of PRO-RENDER, could be displayed.
Images not only by contributors, but also by general downloaders who
have made use of PRO-RENDER in their image.

TUTORIALS -
PRO-RENDER tutorials could go here.

SUBMIT -
This is where people could make a contribution to the PRO-RENDER download.
(Files, Knowledge, Tips, Tricks, Pics)

DOWNLOAD -
This is where people could get the very latest download of PRO-RENDER
for FREE. The download could be updated when needed, as methods and knowledge
evolve. The download could consist of a compressed folder containing
setup files, documentation, and more (all public property).

LINKS -
This is where links to other websites could go.

Well, there you have it, I would consider this for sure, if I thought there
was sufficient enthusiasm for it.

So, I think now, I will give around a week or so to see what happens here.
What I see when I return to this forum, will ultimately make my decisions
for me.

As far as questions go, I apologise for not answering them all at the moment.
I WILL answer them, I promise. Some test screenshots will follow no matter
what happens!

Oh yeh, it was suggested that I thought you where idiot's. Hell, you really
have got the wrong impression. I think it was that "VERY unlikely" bit,
am I right? Well if it is, then I can only hope that, after reading this post,
you will realise it was because I was aware ONLY of those tutorials I
mentioned earlier. That's what made me think it was "VERY unlikely" the
knowledge was out there. So, here's another apology, please don't think
like that, it was'nt meant to give that impression, sorry!

The wait can be horrific, but the outcome can be worse - pumeco 2006