I upgraded to B6 and started getting deeper into doing some nice landscapes(regular default size)and tutorials. The default sun works ok, but I have to "fill light" rocks and trees with it most of the time, so I thought I'd give the HDRI a try outside. I can't even preview most, because the HDRI is so slow, even the nano preview has a hardtime.. Quality=0, Intensity=50 or so, HDRI effect=50 to 100, or shadows don't turn out right. Light domes work sometimes, but I shouldn't have to use those for landscapes.

 I am also not using volumetric, special lighted anything, just sun and landscape with water, couple rocks, no tress etc...nothing complex. Plop rendering sections doesn't help much with large outdoor scenes IMHO.

Just curious,...did DAZ intend HDRI to be for landscape(outside) or just a indoor feature type thing? Bryce is first a landscaper isn't it? Was DAZ trying to compete at all with Vue or other? I've read alot about HDRI but not anyone using it for landscapes. Im not trying to be negative, I like the feature and Bryce, just wondering why it is so slow technically. 

 My other 3D program finishes a similar type scene in half the time, but its not made for landscapes. For anyone using Carrara, Vue, Terragen, is rendering/previews much faster for terrain building? I have B6 Lightning 2.0b running to help, but it doesn't seem to work as fast as it should. 

If the 6.1 update can't fix some things(better network rendering, HDRI features and speed) I will have to jump ship and I wish I didn't have to, but Im forced with needing better lighting/speed, especialy when I do more complex scenes. I can't afford the newer quad systems to do fly throughs either, but I like to do animations too etc...
Thanks. Discussion/suggestions.?.