I have a task to create an animated explosion in space using Bryce. The problem is that I can't find a good tutorial for doing this. I have found several explosion tutorials but not how to animate them. My efforts to animate them were not good!! Can anyone help? Thanks for any input.

Hi, Here are some tips: The key-thing in animated explosions is using the 3d-disperse-size-rotate option in the randomizer, but use this several times at different kayframes to add a bit of turbulence. Also if you make just one big slide(with the mouse) at randomizer/3d-disperse-size-rotate makes a very random result. If you make a few little slides in a row before making a keyframe you can create more realistic looking explosions. If it's an explosion in space then using a few hundred to thousands of real tiny sparks according to the size of the explosion can add a really great feeling to the animtation. But make sure to make the spark's movement not too turbulent. As for textures, just keep tying. For firey explosions you should look volumetric random-mapped textures. And for gas-explosions you shouldn't make the textures too complex. I can mail you some textures and even sample-scenes too. If you're making a tunnel-explosion then I'm not able too help you, because I haven't figured out yet how to make that good-looking. I hope this message helps you out. Bye, Rayraz

Attached Link: http://stevesartgallery.bryce-alive.net/test/fireball.html

If you use a fire texture, I would suggest using a volume. To move the fire around on the object, do it only in the DTE by moving the noise orientation ( direction ) by one or two degrees every second. That's how I did the fireball in the link above ( a flash, 261KB ) Not the best bit it was my first attempt.

Ok I hope this shows up. It's an animated gif of my explosion tutorial. (do a search on the forums to find)

If you are looking for this kind of explosion follow those directions (you can leave out the white light and only use the other 2)

For this is a 1 sec animation (15 frames). The sphere with the cloud material starts off small then enlarges, also the base density starts at 100 then drops to 50 over the one second (can add keyframes to get the density you want at certain times). The sphere is also rotated slightly (about 10 degrees) along the x and z axis to give it variety. Basically play with the settings until you get what you want. You could also try adding a fiery sphere(clay's fire should work great). Have fun and experiment. :)

let's try again. the colors are messed up because it's a gif but you get to tell the shape.

Thanks alot folks for the replys. These are great tips for me. Also thanks for the examples, very good. I have much to learn. Thanks.