First, thank you for replying, you were the only one. I can't believe that most of the needed directions are over thrown by questions that can be found in a book, or not relevant at all. Thank you and will check out your suggestion on the tutorial and also your direct instructions. Much thanks Xeno66 a.k.a. Ken

the "dictionary meaning" SYLLABICATION: apophysis PRONUNCIATION: -pf-ss NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. apophyses (-sz) 1. Anatomy A natural swelling, projection, or outgrowth of an organ or part, such as the process of a vertebra. 2. Geology A branch from a dike or vein. ETYMOLOGY: New Latin, from Greek apophusis, from apophuein, to send out branches : apo-, apo- + phuein, to grow; see bheu- in Appendix I. OTHER FORMS: apophysate (-st) , apophyseal (-sl) ADJECTIVE as for the fractal meaning, if you have UF, or UltraFractal go to the website and check out this page (use link..http://www.fractalus.com/cheshirecat/gall35.htm), it seems to be an additional add-in for UF I had to download it, makes some nice and interesting forms. but basically it seems to be the "out growth" edges of the fractal or its branches. Apart from that I could not tell more, I am new at this also, and hope this helps. Xeno

You guys are gonna crap. But persistence pays off, at least here. I sometimes try Ubid just to check out prices, I have a few things I won from there, quality stuff, I had it checked by a qualified electronics fixer. Anyway, I just got a 4 x 5 tablet for $30.00. I am not an extreme professional and well, it will work for me. I have been practicing in a square with my mouse and it is just fine. It is identical to the one at Wacom. Their 99.00 one. Anyway, if the cloud challenge is an open one, when I get the tablet, I will try my hand at my idea and will post it in either case. Not afraid of criticism. Oh finally got my DV collection from Adobe. They threw in two tutorials from Total Training, After Effects and Premiere. It is only the first section, but again it is a start.

great look, for the first draft, very nice. keep up the work. X

I am glad I am here and with the right people. Also with the right stuff. I have accumulated tons of "crap" programs only to find, they don't have good tutorials or only a readme.txt. I had brought home the P7 tutorial had not a chance to use yet, still fighting with my picture idea and the darn challenge. Using only 2 filters UMMMMMMMMM It may take me time, if someone comes up with it before me, I won't look, I will mention when I am over my head. I am thinking of eventually getting the After Effects and the Premiere from Total, have to save up for those, but am currently downloading the free tutorial sections to see what I am getting into since I purchased them (Premiere is backordered due to popular demand so my order has not arrived). I spent way over my budget for the DV package. Oh, I did get prior the Bert Monroy book, watching him on TechTV really got me interested in the Adobe products, besides finding this site, further fueling the fire. For the After Effects I picked up the two books written by Trish & Chris Meyer. I probably should have posted this as a new entry. But it is part if TA's challenge. And what is up with all the abusive egotistic attacks lately? Must all be friends with Drac. I could be that way but reserve my energy as to not waste anyone's time in having to read through it. Nor do I like to visit the sewer. Anyway, It looks like I have two mentors whom do not know what they got themselves into. Me, I am not afraid to ask stupid questions, repeat questions, nor even if I know it is on page 2 of chapter 1 of the book. Just as long as the recipient does not get annoyed. If so, I only ask about 40 questions a week minimum. I hope I get as good as I think I can and as good as you guys here. The mature ones Ken

Ok, so other than using the filter, clouds, you want an alternative way? off the tangent, I am glad I am getting into Photoshop more and left Poser alone for a while. That room is rough. And sometimes Bryce is the same. Just some people cannot take a kind "suggestion" Well, anyway I just received my Total Training for P7. I might finally figure out what all things do. I attended the seminar for Digital Video which included Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop 7, and Illustrator 10. I hope to dump some of the stuff in my head out onto the floor and learn something in the process. Being a visual person is hard to learn from just reading books. At least for me. I truly only like to look at the pictures. so back again to the first question and not the rambling filler. That is the challenge? Sharp crisp well defined fluffy little clouds, not ones that look like smears.

That was easy enough. Do you think they will make an upgrade from 4 to 5? After spending the same amount for 4, and extra for the ProPack and figures books and time toying etc. If I'd get 5, does it completely replace 4 and make it useless and an error, or does 5 take what is in 4 and make it go above and beyond? or will it leave me with a hollow feeling because I could not wait another 6 weeks after seeing all the great stuff you guys do and I felt left outside in the pouring rain. I wanted to play too.

That was easy enough. Do you think they will make an upgrade from 4 to 5? After spending the same amount for 4, and extra for the ProPack and figures books and time toying etc. If I'd get 5, does it completely replace 4 and make it useless and an error, or does 5 take what is in 4 and make it above and beyond?

I forgot to mention I was raised on a farm slopping pigs and cleaning up cow crap, from the hills of Pennsylvania, you know, where Loretta Lynn was from. Does that count... Anyway so far, All I can get is about the same as Drac's most commented picture in about 30 minutes. If you ask me, the Lunar Moon looks more like it had a lot more effort and time put into it with the reflection and polishing and general idea. The prior seems out of focus, the models look good, but the background blur makes it look 20 minutes instead of 20 hours. It would be more impressive if the noise is reduced and polished a little maybe some space dust clouds? Sharper stars, brighter moons, orange clovers. But who am I to say, First, I just started working with Bryce and two, I do not know the mind of the creator or the direction we are taking. Apply the sharpness of the tongue to the picture and we can stand up and applaud. Loudly Out of my ordinary to comment, but I did not look at what we were discussing. so I came, I saw, I opened my mouth out came an opinion. X

I don't know what I am fully doing with Photoshop yet, but I like a challenge. I may fumble into it, I may fail, but damn, it will be fun getting to the end. I'll let you know. Xeno66

Avi, Great job... There is always more to the eye, and if you are afraid of the reflection in the mirror, you should remove them, or accept what you see and learn a little more human traits. I will be posting soon, not in Bryce yet, I would be going into battle if my attitude was shallow and my ego severely bigger than my heart. There is too much critisism and passing off the blame, here is not the place to expose that weakness. This is art in any shape or form, the expresion is as the creator sees it. We are not God, or the higher being, only mortal and honestly cannot judge without being judged back as only a human can, and those words are simply a sign of a bigger psychological problem. Maybe getting out and seeing the world in its simplisity may help. There is a lot of things that are just plain, but if you look deeper, they are very complex and beautiful. Xeno66

Right on Retrocity. I am in the same boat. I have planet, which I have cropped and wish to insert into a picture of a sunset, thus using that planet as the sun, then adding additional elements. My problem is getting the background out. The background is black, I know there is an automatic filter to use that makes Photoshop remove plain black. I have also converted it to a transparancy, but it did not remove the black within the "striped planet" I am not sure of layers either, I can add them, make groups, but cannot seem to make them blend together for, well any project. I am anxious to show this one to you guys, but cannot get past this little problem. I have tried to paint out the black but it did not work. I am very new to the computer graphic thing, I used to draw, paint, etc via hand, but due to an onset of a neural problem, I am loosing my ability to control pressure and all else that goes with it. The computer is my best hope. Sissy-Boogie, this has been my "home" for everything, I am glad to have fallen into the door, hope I don't wear my welcome. I too am kinda new, I have worked on computers for a long time, but on a regular office use and programming, this to me is a new journey. And this is the exact planet to land on. Again, hope those links helped, There is another one I have, but it is at work. If I remember, I will pass it along also. Have a great evening, and weekend. I can't wait for your accomplishment to come into light. Xeno66

What a forum. I believe anything that is created, no matter how simple or complex is always within the creators vision. I unless directly confronted with the question, never criticize anything, I have opinions but express them as a question of direction. I really do not see how anyone can be a critic. If they are, then they are not competent to do the work themselves. Or just severely jealous and their ego has been insulted. We are all at different levels and should remember that. I just started working with Bryce and truthfully, I can only render the sky, water, and the ground. I can do what is given in the program, but to me I am not satisfied with my stuff, therefore would never reveal it to the masses. There are some who have not matured enough to be commenting and should refrain from doing so. Xeno66

It reminds me of a background for something asian. play with different figures, to see what works. Great start. Xeno66 (Ken)

I just bought it today, I had to have it second day, I have been looking at all the products as a single item, until today. I have the KPT6 and love it, but with the rest, things will really be twisted... Xeno66 Ken