One should look at Bryce this way... For a budget priced program you get: basic boolean modeling, the ability to import models (this makes up for not creating subdivision models internally, especially by using Wings3D), a fractal terrain generator, a decent (probably not the worlds best, but not the worst either) procedural texture engine, a very easy to use ray trace renderer, and rudimentary animation system (which really does need improving). But unlike the big dogs that cost $800 and up, with Bryce you get all the tools in one shot. No additional and expensive plugins are needed to upgrade or suplement existing features. So sure some programs do all that cool stuff Bryce can't, but you have to fork out additional $$$ beyond what you're starting with in order to do so. (Although a few of the big name 3D programs are becoming more full featured out of the box in order to adapt to what the market demands. Maybe they're keeping an eye out on "lowly" ol' Bryce? Hmmm...)

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Barbequed Pixels?

Your friendly neighborhood Wings3D nut.
Also feel free to browse my freebies at ShareCG.
There might be something worth downloading.