I opened a new large empty scene, go to atmosphere choose a sky from the presets. In the preview it looks fine but when I render I just get a blue sky with no clouds showing. I’ve tried adjusting the settings but it doesn’t seem to do any thing.

If I use a realistic sky setting that seems to work.

Just wondered what I’m doing wrong

Cheers

 I looks as if your camera is pointing straight up - can't really tell without seeing the Assembly Room. 
Mark

 Ok, I see what's going on. I looks like you've chosen the Large scene size. I missed your earlier comment about using Realistic Sky v.s. the"old" sky settings. The Realistic Sky respects the  scene scale - the other Sky setting does not. So, your clouds are really, really low; the camera is above them. You an adjust the altitude

I haven't used the "old" sky settings for so long that I forgot about this little quirk.

ha! cheers I'll have a play with that.

Does using real skys add alot to render times? if not I suppose its better to use then anyway. 

I've been a bryce user for years but this seems like it will be good (when i get the  hang of it :)

 I used Bryce for years myself but the render times made it impossible to use professionally. Carrara has a pretty solid environmental capability. Post back with questions. You willl have to bend the brain a little bit just because of a different way of doing things.

However, after spending a little time, I don't think you'll be looking back. :-)