I'm learning how to use Bryce5. Can any one give me any help on how I can utilize my Mac G4 with dual processors to speed up my render times. I generally still work in Op/Sys 9. I have Op/Sys 10. Does Bryce5 run better in 10? Do the dual processors only work in 10? Does Bryce5 automatically utilize both processors? I've been reading a little bit about Bryce5 network capabilities for rendering my scenes. I'm guessing that having two processors will render twice as fast. How do I set up my computer to get this to work. Thanks, Bruce

Attached Link: http://www.apple.com/powermac/processor.html

Bryce doesn't utilize dual processors, on OS9 only specific apps do, OSX utilizes dual processors but only when an application supports it, kinda like a plugin. But you can get Bryce Lightning to use both processors by launching both Bryce and Bryce lightning on the same machine then typing in the Mac's main I.P. address into the network rendering and then set host to render as well. It should work like a charm, I run 3 macs, 2 with OSX and one with OS9 and they all play nice together when network rendering:-)

You mean Bryce Lightning use one processor and then the Main program uses the remaining processor on one machine?

yup. Also, i like running bryce is OSX better.

Uh, get 10 PC's instead? (Just playin, keep your toys) BUT, the truth is, dual processors won't cut your render times quite in half, due to shared memory and hard-drive resources, but Bryce Lightning and a good setup can. Link up a few old machines that would otherwise be sitting and watch the animations happen before your eyes! (IF you're sleeping, or in a coma, anyway!)

Overhead of dual processors can rise to over 50% in extreme situations, but I think you can still expect a 75% speed increase unless you have very little ram and/or a slow harddisk and a complex and large scene.

I have yet to get this to work on one computer in OS X. Your results may vary. But, even if you don't get it to work, You can happily perform other tasks on one processor while Bryce uses the other one thanks to Mac OS X's Finder.

My toaster can render two pieces of toast in like, 45 seconds? Faster than a Mac! (grins)

If you're interested in dual processor rendering in MacOS.9.x and X, check out C4d. It renders almost twice as fast using two over one. And as to owing a dual processor Mac, I don't know about toast, but I've managed to cut my winter heating bill in half through its constant use, and that its fan noise has virtually eliminated all street traffic irritations:) manowar