Does anyone know how to take a 3d model and turn it into a 2d picture?  I've found that the models I make often have too many polygons, and if I could find to use 2d pictures of those models I would be able to give my pictures more details and depth.  I'm using Paint Shop Pro and Bryce.  Any suggestions?

Once your model is in Bryce and you have rendered it... you then go to file>save image as.  a browser will open and you can save the scene in 2D,,,  as a jpg or what ever file you like..

then you go to Paint shop Pro and import the file in...  now it is in 2D form...  

When you are in Bryce.. make sure the model is centered and turn off the environment so all you have is your model....   Is this what you are asking...?

One way is to render (3d to 2d is the definition of rendering) the model. Not as part of a scene, just the model, w/ a mask. Later, make a 2d plane and use the previously rendered image as a texture (along w/ the mask, if needed, for transparency on the plane).

I've done this many times with trees and background images/scene elements. If you plan it out, you can even get the lighting to match up, and the transparent plane will throw swadows of a sort too.

I'm not quite sure I understand what you are asking about. Do you mean like taking a 3D sphere object and rendering it as a 2D circle image? I know a few CAD programs have this ability, for instance SolidWorks has it so that you can design in 3D and it can render as a 2D drawing.

Or do you mean like... switching from 3D camera view to something like a side view, front view, and get a somewhat 2D-ish look?