I am new to Renderosity and new to 3D computer art. I recently purchased Bryce, and now that I see its limitations, I would like to purchase a good modeler and renderer in order to incorporate organic and science-fiction type figures into my Bryce work. Is Truespace 3, 4 or 5 a good way to go? I do not need an animator. My biggest concern at this point is being able to make all sorts of smoothe 3D figures, easier than using booleans as Bryce does. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks!

Try the free modeler at http://www1.sphere.ne.jp/mizno/main_e.html ...and do some surfing for hammapatch, hexagreat, Elefont, Spiralizer, Fauve Matisse in Gray, DoGa, etc. No need to buy expensive modelers. Metasequia link above exports in .cob and Bryce recognizes that. Lotsa freebies out there. I must have a couple dozen or so.

Well, if you should think about buying an expensive modeler, get Rhino... If you can buy it as a student, you can get it for under $200 at some places... Great modeling capabilities...

I agree with EricofSD. I've tried many modelers and Metasequoia is outstanding in my opinion for it's ease of use. Right click movements allow you to move and sculpt with one hand. It has many great features and it is free. In my work it is indespensible for organic modeling. I also combine many small free apps to get the modelling power I need.

Well, according to the page, metasequoia in freeware version will only save in original format... What's the original format?? it looks like a nice software...

Unfortunately, Metasequoia can only be saved in its own format at this time. Were you able to purchase it when it was for sale? Or are you able to bring domestic Metasequoia objects into Bryce without exporting to DXF or OBJ or whatever?

While Metasequoia will only save in its native format, the version 1 which I see is now removed will EXPORT in .cob format which goes strait into Bryce. Try the different versions there and see if the export feature still works. If not, well, then they must have gotten wise.

There are two versions. The shareware one cannot be registered. However, I downloaded both. If I use the shareware one for some of it's capabilities, I save in .mqo and open it up in the other one. Then I can 'save as'.cob or direct x. What you need is a small converter. I recommend Crossroads. So usually I just use the freeware one,save in direct x, and convert to dxf or obj. I was just at the site and it's the same as it was. Just save as one of the other file types. By the way, Crossroads is free too. If you get up and running be sure to go to file and unclick basic configuration. Then you can see all the tools. If you need anymore help let me know.......Monsoon

PS. It's the shareware one that can't be registered that only saves in native format. MetasequoiaLE, the free one saves in .mqo,.suf,.cob,.x,.rds,and .pov.