Top down view and right view. Isolate the problem areas and go into solo mode. Align and the group. Repeat as needed. Sarah

Go to http://www.bryce4all.com/tutorials/what.htm to learn all about different file types.

I had one file that had these two trees that were huge in the polygon count. Bryce gave an estimate of 9 days to render (I kid you not). The file size was about 60 M. Once I took the trees out (I put them back in via post production) the render time dropped to 2 hours.

Cool. =-)

.pict or .pct and .gif can carry alpha channels but Bryce doesn't seem to recognize the alpha channel, so I usually create a separate black and white alpha channel image. This alpha channel problem is a pre 4.1 problem, BTW.

There's also a patch for Ray Dream that addresses the OS 9 problem. Of course Metacreations has taken off their FTP site. I still have a copy. If you're interested, let me know.

I tried the update on a Mac G3 233 with 160 RAM -- no virtual and saw no problems (other than the memory being set back to 32 M from 100 but that was an easy fix). No gamma change, so slow downs with volume renders. Now I am running the updated version on a Mac G4 450 with 64 RAM and 160 virtual RAM. Renders are significantly faster (even with volume materials and volume atmsosphere turned on). The new stars seem a little titchy about showing up when cumulous clouds are turned on (again, a minor complaint). Stratus clouds and stars works fine though.

Fractal, erosion, a little more fractal, erosion, lower, smooth, slope noise, a smidge more erosion. Erode to taste. =-) Sarah

Go to the materials editor main page (click on the M of your cat 2d object). Pull down the mapping options (to the right of your parametric selection in A). At the bottom there is something like "2d decal." Select that. It will make the alpha channel work.

The quick and diry answer is post production. Use photoshop or some other graphics program that allows layers. Plop the bryce image in one layer. THe birds in another. Mask out the the area around the birds to get the landscape to show up.

I have a rivers tutorial (it also covers terrains) at http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/tutorial/ and links to other tutorials at http://www.bryce4all.com/tutorials.htm Sarah

To each his or her own when it comes to the newsgroups. I find alt.binaries.3d.bryce more useful (read "Active") than the eGroups one. Between the forum here and the binaries group, I think I learn 80% of what I know about Bryce. The other 20% comes from trial and error.

Here's what I do to keep the creative juices flowing 1) I read a lot of magazines. Since I like doing interiors, I read mostly interior design magazines. 2) I view art at Renderosity on a daily basis to get ideas for technique. 3) I subscribe to eGroups - Bryce list. http://www.egroups/bryce which is run by Wolfie 4) I subscribe to alt.binaries.3d.bryce 5) I participate in Project Imagination - contact Don Tatro for info. The results of each week are posted both at alt.binaries.3d.bryce and on Tiger's web site. I don't have URLs because I'm at work. 6) I get ideas from my husband. Hope this helps. Sarah

Glad I could help. Bryce on. =-) Sarah

I also have a handy dandy tutorial called "What is that file?" http://www.bryce4all.com/tutorials/what.htm Sarah