I model in Rhino and need a renderer that I can afford. Bryce does the job. I have issues with it too, particularly with the interface, but Im gradually getting used to it. Its not half as irritating now as it was when I began. And the renderer is not bad, IMHO, and the material and texture editors are actually very good. Also, Ive seen some really first-rate images produced with Bryce (as well as a large amount of really awful ones, but thats true of any program), so its quite possible...
Its not the fastest renderer on the planet, thats obvious, but Im not in that much of a hurry, anyway :)
/JuanAntonio

Yes 12 megs is about my limit too. I see what you mean about the sphere. Ive tried something similar.

Pity. I was hoping against hope that youd reveal the location of the Import Setting Dialogue that somehow didnt make it into the manual but would solve my problem in two simple mouseclicks. =) No such luck.

I dont know about XP just yet. Probably should be thinking about upgrading my whole rig before that...