I think I've had pretty much the same experience. I generally use the "Default Wireframe" to work in, I'm not sure but I think Bryec doesn't use your graphics card too well. To me the content CD of v-5 doesn't have as many materials as on the 4 content CD, but fortunately the materials from Bryce 4 work in 5. There are a lot of pictures for textures though. But the program is worth the upgrade, It took some time for me but now I'm glad I got it. kaom