I recently purchased a new computer so that I can have more speed and power for my graphic programs. To my disappointment the computer was not a fast as I thought it would be for rendering images in Bryce. A friend of mine used ctrl+alt+delete to see my Windows Task Manager then he clicked Processes and it shows all the programs that the CPU needs to run. He noticed that when Bryce was on, its priority is automatically set to low. So he wanted to change the priority to high. It gave a warning saying it might effect the CPU stability, and it might give some undesired effects. Before I responded he clicked to high priority, which I didn't want him to do. Even though he did that it didn't seem to effect the speed of the rendering, when we went back to see what priority it was set in it was back to low. Questions 1.Is it okay for me to try to change the priority of a program. 2.Does anybody use this method to increase the CPU's power. 3.If changing the priority is okay, how come after I changed it, it went back to its original state. ----------------------------------------------------------- I would greatly appreciate if someone can answer my questions it would really help me out. Thanks!!

Actually Bryce is running at normal priority when it's the front most ( current ) window. You can verify that by launching Bryce, then launch task manager (Ctlr,Alt, Del ) if the base priority isn't displayed in task manager go to View/Select Columns and enable it. Then look at Bryce in the task manager window ( it will say low ) Then click on the Bryce Icon on the task bar, ( Makes it the current program ) and the Base priority will change from low to normal. How to change the priority to high and make it stick I don't have a clue. One suggestion I would make to you, helps over all system performance. With all the name brand computers I've owned, they have many processes launched at start up, many of which are never/seldom used. They are basically just eating system resources. ( I had a HP that was down to 69% free system resources at start up ) You really want to get that number in the high 80 or low 90. If this is a new computer call tech support, and tell them you want to know exactly which programs/processes are absolutely needed to run at start up. And how can you clear the not needed programs/processes out so they don't launch every time you start the computer.

Attached Link: http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,s=1485&a=13909,00.asp

PC magazine has a utility that helps you identify those processes that are running as to if they are safe to shut down. The utility frees up alot of resourses being used by windows and many other third party apps. If the link doesn't work, the utility is callled "EndItAll" and can be found at www.pcmag.com

Stephen Ray, Nukeboy, thanks for your info, but I still have a dellema. I tried what you said Stephen, about checking to see if the prority is set to normal when Bryce is active on the window. I was pretty sure that you were going to be right since last I checked the priority I dropped the program on the tool bar, then I checked. But when I checked it while it was active it was still set to low. For some reason I won't get any higher than that. What could be the reason?

This may be of interst to you, there are many system resource meters out there for you to know how much of your computer is getting taxed just before a render. I use Sysmeter. It's a skinnable utility c you can find links to at most skins sites. tucows.com is another place to look for system meters. Most tell of you CPU, RAM, Hard Disk Swap, Upload and Download Speeds, Up and Current time. I've even heard of some with temp. readings. You can also edit how many programs load during startup by going to Start>Setting>Taskbar>Advanced>Advanced>Programs>StartUp. All the icons in that folder will launch, during reboot, and then eat resources in your system tray. Delete anything you do'nt use everyday. = )

Bryce has to be launched, with the window open, and the current app ( front window ) If the Bryce icon button is popped out on the task bar ( tool bar ) it is not the current app. With Bryce window open and task manager open click Bryce's Icon button on the task bar so that it is depressed in. When you do this task manager should still stay in front but Bryce becomes the current front most app and should say normal in the priority of task manager.

I know what you are talking about Stephen, but it still says it is in low priority. I'm checking the priority while the program is still active on my (front window). Not just on the task bar. I think something is wrong with my computer. Anyways, thanks to all who replied. I now have a better understanding of how my computer works. I think I am just going to try to bring my computer back to its default state, and see how it performes then. Thank again!!

Hey Tyrant3k, ( or anyone ) If you ever do figure out how to get Bryce to run with a higher priority, let us know. I for one would be very interested to know how. I use Win2000 Pro ( right now )

Well, In win98, Bryce makes sure that 100% of my processor is being used. Even when it's in the taskbar. (according to windows system monitor) 98 may cause Poser to crash every five minutes, but it certainly runs Bryce well!