On the PF, I brought up the subject of how other Brycers deal with images with lots of objects and the uncertainty of what the image will turn out like after a fairly long render. I've been using quick render w/o materials for placement, but I still get surprises. I didn't do patch or plop renders because I was dealing more with camera placements and perspectives (and lighting). However, totally open to learning good habits using Bryce, I'd love to know how others deal with this. I found myself thinking it was the way I wanted it, rendering it overnight, and then finding something I just hated. Render again-and again. What do YOU do?? Diane

I have started using the sparay can render thingy over on the disappearing right-hand toolbar. Move the mouse over there and a bunch of tools pop up. Select the sparay can and you can pass it over the area and 'paint' an area in its rendered form. I used it in my pic to check textures. It's fairly slow on reflective areas, but pretty quick on most. I forget where you set the options for it, but it's a handy little tool. A magnifying glass over the little preview window doesn't hurt either. I wish you could resize that thing.

Hi Picnic, I used to go crazy in Bryce 3D doing pre-renders, that is until Bryce 4 came along.......... Here's how I set things up. In the render menu, the only things I have checked are antialiasing off, and spatial optimization high, (which is great if you have a lot of objects in the scene and ESPECIALLY if you have a lot of DFX objects, it will really speed things up). Once I do as much as I can in wireframe, I render in Fast Preview Mode. If I want to reposition something, (or add something,) I hit Esc to go to wireframe, and I move it. Hit ESC again to bring back the previous render. Go to the right side of the screen and get the RaySpray, (I LOVE THAT THING!). Now you can use it to "erase" the object from the old position and bring it up in the new one while looking at your rendered scene. What you see is your new render. You can do this hundreds of times if you wish, and you don't have to keep rendering the entire scene over and over, you're only rendering the area you change with the RaySpray, (I LOVE THAT THING!) and you always see your full scene rendered. You can change the size and shape of the RaySpray (I LOVE THAT THING!) by hitting the 1 through 0 keys. 1 through 5, circular sprays, 6 through 0, square sprays. You can work so much faster this way, it's amazing. I hope this is some help. Coldrake Well you can call me Ray, or you can call me Spray, or you can call me R Spray, but ya doesn't hafta call me Coldrake! ; )

With camera placement, perspective and lighting, I usually resize the working window to a smaller size for rendering, it doesn't take nearly as long. When I'm satisfied, I resize the window back to the original size. Again, I hope this is of some help. Coldrake

p.s. I also selected Render to Disk, and it still took 19 hours. I also had Spatial Op on High and Antialias on FineArt.

I was reading about the rayspray day before last (after I did some longish renders). Sounded like it might be something good to get well acquainted with. I'm going to try your technique. That sure sounds like something I'm going to LOVE too-VBG. Also, I hadn't tried the spatial optimization thing either. Such good ideas from both of you. Going to save and stick in my Bryce 'tips' file. Sometimes the manual gets overwhelming. I've had the 'rendering' chapter open a lot recently, as well as the texture/materials section. Thanks guys, Diane

Diane - I agree with Newc and ColdDrake. I do the same things they listed above. ColdD - Dude - that was a funny message string above. (I LOVE THAT THING!) LOL I got a nice chuckle out of the string. Thanks! Clint

Just reread the thing about the magnifying glass over the nano window. Do you mean you WISH they would add one or have I missed something REALLY important (yet again LOL)?? Diane

Embrace the Spray my friends, let the Spray become one with your render, and see that it is good...... Coldrake, Pastor of the Church of RaySpray........

Hey Diane, don't forget you can use your 3D graphics card for realtime shaded objects. For object and camera placement, with no textures, it can't be beat. Mike K

Diane - I meant holding a magnifying glass over your monitor over the nano window. Sorry, should have been more specific. I have a program that a friend gave me that acts like a magnifying glass. You select something on the screen and it zooms it up, or something. I haven't unzipped it yet, having too much fun with P4&B4.

I hate to admit I had to look in the manual to understand what you were referring to, Mike. I've obviously read it because I have it highlighted. Just goes to show that even if you read the manual, some things just get by you the first or even the second time. Diane

I LOVE THAT THING!!-wow, don't know why I never tried it before-its grrrrrrrrrrrrreat! (as Tony-you know, the tiger- says). Also, the flat shaded option. Thanks so much all-now I can continue to dabble in many objected images AND lots of textures AND not be totally frustrated (and add lights and volumetric stuff and-and -----and ) Diane

Picnic, Super! Glad it helped. I don't have models or textures or things like that to contribute to the forum, just a little information or an opinion here and there.I've gotten so much from these forums, it's nice to know I can give a little back. : ) Coldrake

Coldrakeyou are revealing your age with the R.J.Johnson, Jr. "but ya doesn't has ta call me Raymond" thing! Most people give me a blank stare when I refer to that routine. Diane G.

Diane G, Uh-oh, OUR secret is out! LOL Coldrake