I started a scene with several hi-res terrains, added a couple complex objects via "merge" command, then I added a third object within the scene. 

This third object was started by flattening a sphere considerably then duplicating it several time and moving each duplicate slightly.  I applied a mat and started a test render.  All is well so far.

I save the scene.  Then do another test render. 

Upon starting the render the object made of flatten spheres transforms itself into multiple perfectly round spheres.  The mesh is correct before starting the render but that transforms also.  Go figure?

Bug strikes again.  I think I may resort to good ole Coreal Bryce 5 except for hdri. 

:m_scared: Sounds like the Bryce gremlins has strike again!

Try locking the offending items and then rendering..........

I would build each part seperatly and save to seperate files, then I would merge all the seperate objects in one scene. I'm sure that would solve your problem.

Tks for the advice.  I deleted all the spheres and started over with the object.  So far so good.  I have saved and moved the thing around and booleaned a bit with no more problems.  I think it is a corruption during the save that was the culprit. 

Yeah, I've had Bryce6 stick its tongue out at me if I merge or import more than one item and then try to render before saving - it seems to be something between the import and the render that's doing something....

or not doing it.

I realized a problem, with grouped objects in Bryce. When I move a single object of a group, somtimes it happened, that all of the objects of this group are moving suddenly, to positions I did'nt set. It seems the objects trying to get the actually position and dimension of the group that has before. Maybe this could be the reason of the behavior of the objects in your scene?

Only a thought.

Allibaba