I'm up for such a contest. the prize to me will bein the sharing and learning such a venture could afford us as Brycers.

Eric, May i pose this hypothesis... The bmp is merely an image, like a transparency, a 2D type image with proportions yes but not 3D in and of itself. the file is 3D, not just an image. we sort of "sculpt in mesh" in the file. Hope this made a little sense.

Firefly, As i said in an IM to you, thank you for your appreciation of my work. I owuld like to add here how i handle "bump" I found bmp a mystery, when i started this application of fractals to Bryce over 4 years ago. Now after trial and error, I use contrast while creating the fractal and KPT convolver while still in Photoshop. I adjust the "relief" setting in Convlover...I have learned to do this in a very delicate and ginger manner, elsewise OH Wow to i have some bmp in Bryce...LOOKOUT! In Bryce I import the 2D fractal using it as its own bmp. Truthfully, I can go on at the mouth for hours bout this stuff...oh well, guess that's me LOL :-)

May I add to this here...I make the fractals in KPT5 in Photoshop...and then use the 2D pics of fractals in Bryce4 as Material Presets applied to wiremesh and objects, etc. Yes, this is timeconusing and also requires an eye for creating fractals which will result in the presets I want in a given Bryce pic. This "eye" is of course acquired with repeated expewriences in this process. The results I have found are a very "organic" appearance which i have otherwise not achieved in Bryce, Needless to say, I have spent a LOT of time in this pursuit.

I am in my 5th year of using fractal as materials in Bryce4. Open to talking on this topic...am preparing webpage of some of my work and findings. Becky

My earliest mentor (I was age 6 yrs.) taught me the following... If I have nothing constructive to contribute on a topic...I say nothing at all."

I have a collection of fractal textures for Bryce4 including water-planes in fractals Anyone interested in such?

Dear Roshigoth & Tempest, Please do not think I have not attempted to respond to your e-mail. I have posted the map, and a castle file twice, about 9 mininutes of downloading each time (the castle file is made using material presets even for the mote water). I thought this would prove the usability of this greyscale map in Bryce4 despite Metacreations claim that anything from B1 will not prove usable in B4. If I recall correctly, this map was created by Andrew Wallerstein...Credit should always be given, even for old maps from not so great memories. Peace to all, Becky

I have an old map from Bryce1 era which I picked up off the www back then. It doesn't work quite as well with B4, but I do believe it still offers insight into the basics of castle building, especially the inner yard with the stairs and such. Should anyone be interested in this "elderly" map, just e-mail me and I will send you a copy. e-mail address is EppesArt@aol.com