haloedrain, I have to say, that image was amazing.  Thank you for the tips.  I looked at it in Bryce and I think I see where you're coming from with it.   

skiwillgee, you know, you're right.  I didn't remember until you said it, but the bump on that image was a negative.  I understand what you mean with the bead and the slider for bump height in the material editor.  The only problem is that even following to detail the screenshot that Agend Smith posted, making everything the same, I am unable to apply texture to a material....I can make it see through, mirrorlike, dense, almost no substance, glass with sun hitting it, but after that one image I made, I can't apply a texture to anything now.  Is there a certain setting for that maybe?  I have been using the deep texture editor to make sure that the channel has bump to it.  Is it a certain setting in the material options?  Should I render the object as a sphere, current selection, actual selection, with neutral sky and ground or not?  I see no reason why applying texture should not happen.  I am completely confused on this one.