Well I solved the problem--sort of: I uninstalled the latest Java (see other posts for details.) So , according to my program list, I have NO Java present. Yet now the Bryce 5 help files are working fine. Here's a quote from the Bryce 5 Readme.txt: "The Bryce online Help system requires that Java be enabled in your Web browser, or Help functionality may be impaired. Computers with newly installed Microsoft Windows 98 operating systems typically have Java disabled in their Web browser. Please consult the appropriate Help documentation included with the operating system to enable this. Your system must also have istalled the latest update for the Microsoft Virtual Machine ( Microsoft VM ) installed. This is easily done from IE using the menu item Help/Product Updates. The Microsoft Virtual Machine ( Microsoft VM ) is what you need to be able to see and interact with Java Applets." I think the latest Sun Java messed up the "Microsoft Virtual Machine." Uninstalling the latest Sun Java fixed things. On a parting note: It would be nice if the new Sun Java could co-exist with the Bryce 5 help files. But, my experience, at least, suggests that they can't. If anyone else has had this problem, and has figured out how to get them to "co-exist", please advise. Neither Sun nor Corel have offered any insight so far. . .

Some more about my Java/Bryce 5 help problem:

The Java works fine. So does Bryce 5--minus the help.
Here's what pops up when I try to run the help:

Java Plugin Exception dialog:

General Exception

Java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: java.io.FileNotFoundException: C:Program FilesCorelBryce 5HelpcomwebworkshelpWWHelp.class (The system cannot find the path specified)
at java.io.FileInputStream.open(Native Method)
at java.io.FileInputStream.(Unknown Source)
at sun.net.www.protocol.file.FileURLConnection.connect(Unknown Source)
at sun.net.www.protocol.file.FileURLConnection.getInputStream(Unknown Source)
at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.getBytes(Unknown Source)
at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.access$100(Unknown Source)
at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader$1.run(Unknown Source)
at java.security.AccessController.doPrivileged(Native Method)
at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.findClass(Unknown Source)
at sun.plugin.security.PluginClassLoader.findClass(Unknown Source)
at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)
at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)
at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)
at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.loadCode(Unknown Source)
at sun.applet.AppletPanel.createApplet(Unknown Source)
at sun.plugin.AppletViewer.createApplet(Unknown Source)
at sun.applet.AppletPanel.runLoader(Unknown Source)
at sun.applet.AppletPanel.run(Unknown Source)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Unknown Source)

Anyone know of a PC program that will do the same?

By the way: I've just re-installed the latest Sun Java plugin, and also re-installed the Bryse 5 help files (but have not re-installed the full B5 application. I'm still having the same problem. Beware of installing the new Java if you already have Bryce 5 installed.

Attached Link: http://204.97.144.91/

I can't find Spew 4U anymore. Renerosity finds Spurt by Codeman3D, but the download link is dead. Anyone know where Spurt and/or Spew now reside--a link perhaps?

There may be one convoluted way to do this (export meshes made with Bryce primitives)--mind you I haven't tried it, but it should work. There are several programs, such as PhotoModeler (Lite version is free demo) that will allow one to make 3D meshes out of a series of photographs of an object taken from several different angles. Suppose you used such a program, but instead of photos, you use several different renderings of your object in Bryce--each rendering from a different angle. I don't know why this wouldn't work. Sorry no link for PhotoModeler. Somewhere in the Renderosity forums there are several threads discussing these sorts of programs (most are quite expensive; some are easier to use than PhotoModeler). If my explanation isn't clear, let me know and I'll try to be more precise.

There may be one convoluted way to do this (that is, export Bryce derived objects)--mind you I haven't tried it, but it should work. There are several programs, such as PhotoModeler (Lite version is free demo) that will allow one to make 3D meshes out of a series of photographs of an object taken from several different angles. Suppose you used such a program, but instead of photos, you use several different renderings of your object in Bryce--each rendering from a different angle. I don't know why this wouldn't work. Sorry no link for PhotoModeler. Somewhere in the Renderosity forums there are several threads discussing these sorts of programs (most are quite expensive; some are easier to use than PhotoModeler). If my explanation isn't clear, let me know and I'll try to be more precise.

There may be one convoluted way to do this--mind you I haven't tried it, but it should work. There are several programs, such as PhotoModeler (Lite version is free demo) that will allow one to make 3D meshes out of a series of photographs of an object taken from several different angles. Suppose you used such a program, but instead of photos, you use several different renderings of your object in Bryce--each rendering from a different angle. I don't know why this wouldn't work. Sorry no link for PhotoModeler. Somewhere in the Renderosity forums there are several threads discussing these sorts of programs (most are quite expensive; some are easier to use than PhotoModeler). If my explanation isn't clear, let me know and I'll try to be more precise.

Hey, why don't you review the two new utilities for importing Poser animations into Bryce? One is called "Natural Pose"; the other is "Susanna". YOu can find links to threads about them both in the Poser and Bryce forums, here at Renderosity.

kaom: Any links to info on broadcast safe colors? Any utilities that can convert to that pallet?

Sabre_Rai: Okay. I've now got it. Didn't know about right-clicking on the .inf file. That's a new one for me. You learn something new every day! All my other codecs must have come with other software. This was my first "manual" install. Thanks again. By the way--neat screen shot above!

When I unzipped the files from MPEG4.zip, there was no .exe to install, just the following SIX files: divxpatch.txt M$mpeg4.inf Mpg4c32.dll Mpg4ds32.ax Msaud32.acm Readme.txt Had already moved the two files you suggested to the windowssystem directory--with no luck. I'll keep trying to figure it out. Is it possible that my zipped version has no install file?

Sabre_Rai When you compress MPEG 4's using .ASF, I presume you use Windows Media Encoder? What version? By the way, the MPEG 4 encoder won't register via regsvr32,exe. Keep getting the message: "Dllname was loaded, but the entry point was not found. Dllname may not be exported, or a corrupted version of Dllname may be in memory. Consider using Pview to detect the file and remove it." (I don't have Pview, either.) Just can't seem to find a self-installing MPGEG 4 encoder! Anyway, (maybe because of the failed registy), even though the encoder is now in my Windowssystem directory, my Bryce animation export menu does not show the Microsoft MPEG 4 option, as yours does. Nor will it show up in Virtual Dub. Presumably not accessable by any program yet. Any hints?

kaom Had heard of Bink, but hadn't checked it out yet. Will do, though. Thanks for the link! Sabre_Rai Could you post a link to the MPGEG 4 codec. I found one for DivX, and some Microsoft stuff that I can't figure out. But I can't find a straight MPEG 4 codec. Usually I'm good at finding stuff, too. Thanks! Stuie, Great article on MPEG 4. I rerad it quickly and saved it. Thanks for the conversion offer. Will keep it on file. I can already create my originals in QuickTime, but I had understood (perhaps incorrectly) that other compression schemes created smaller files with better quality, which I guess is what I'm actually looking for now. Also, do YOU know where I can download a MPEG 4 codec?