I'm assuming it's something I'm doing wrong - but I also should ask if the Ecosystem capability is disabled in the Learning Edition?

There doesn't seem to be a checkbox or OK button when going into the Pain Ecosystem dialog. (I'm brand-new to Vue - just opened it up 10 minutes ago..) The video tutorial on the Vue site seems to be for Vue 5, so the interface is different and I'm not seeing the same  dialogs.

I really hope it's just something I'm missing; would love to buy the full program, but need to make sure it can do what I want first.

Thanks!
--Donnie

The PLE is fully functional!  There are a lot of buttons and options used to make an ecosystem.  Once you have it set up, click Populate (it's in the middle of the dialog box).  If you make changes, click Populate again. 

I highly recommend the beginners tutorials at GeekatPlay. 
http://www.geekatplay.com/vuetutorialsnew.php

Here is the dialog I get when clicking on Paint Ecosystem - I don't have a Populate button. ???

I did figure out the EcoSystem Materials though, but not how to edit them or create new ones. I really think I have the app setup wrong because I'm missing some options in dialogs - no Advanced Materials editor, etc.

Thanks!
--Donnie

Peggy - sorry, I was in the completely different dialog box. I found the Materials Editor, yay! :)

Thanks for your help!
--Donnie

Oh...  That's different.  Just make sure  it is set to Brush mode and click the mouse button to paint.  I'd uncheck the restrict to selected objects and check A bit of Everything at first.  When airbrush is checked, the longer you hold down the mouse button, the more plants you get.  Be careful - painting ecosystems is highly addictive and is only available with Infinite and xStream versions of Vue!

Also, what are you painting on?  If it's a terrain, make it bigger or your plants smaller if you are not getting any plants.   

The other way of using ecosystems is to apply an ecosystem material to an object.  Then, when you edit the material you will see the populate button. 

Hi Peggy thanks. I was trying to add it to a terrain. I'm going to try painting a few and see what happens. :)

Yes, this is extremely addictive! :)

Wow, this is really tricky.  Can't seem to "activate" the brush. I keep moving the terrain, lol. Off to read the manual... ;)

LOL, ok, I finally got it. Figured out you paint in Top View. I'm off to just read the manual and view tutorials. :)

Thanks for your help Peggy!

Sorry - should have mentioned that...

Peggy, no problem. Getting used to the interface, there are some things I'm so used to in Bryce and then some things Vue could learn from Bryce. The trees and plant capabilities are far superior. But Bryce has a leg up in the terrain editing IMHO.

I've decided to save up for Infinite, the ecosystem painting is exactly what I need for a project I'm starting in the spring. I'm definitely hooked! Will post some images in a new thread.

Thanks for all your help yesterday, I appreciate it. :)

Wait till you play with terrain stamps!  See the tutorial over at GeekatPlay.  Then there are procedural terrains.  Lot's of fun and details galore!  

BTW, not knocking Bryce - I cut my 3D teeth on it.  It still has a place on my hard drive and heart.

Uh-oh, "terrain stamps" sounds terribly addictive... ;) Good thing it's the holiday and lots of time off coming up, lol! :D

Hoo boy, terrain stamps are fun, you can actually make some rather nice buildings out of terrains using stamps :)