When is it due out? And does anyone know what it will consist of?Mabye new modelers? Spline objects,or the like? I'm just guessing at what it will be like.

Attached Link: http://www.3dark.com/cgi-bin/forums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=40&t=000003

I am curious as well. Yesterday I stumbled over a posting by a Corel coworker involved in the Bryce 5 development. The thread was about Vue d'Esprit versus Bryce. The forum was on the 3dark homepage (This vs. That). The message was the following: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Snip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We are in the process of updating our product information pages on corel.com, please check back soon. As for your question about Bryce and Vue D'Espirit? Well, Vue d'Espirit does do plants better than Bryce 4, but Bryce 5 is soon approaching...;-) Sean Program Manager for Bryce ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Snap~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This seems to indicate that a vegetation system might be included in Bryce 5 ;-) Greetings from Germany, Gabi

Attached Link: http://www.e-onsoftware.com

...As is Vue d'Esprit 4 very soon approaching... in the middle of June (most likely-- maybe sooner) for PC (and for Mac OS X, a litle later this year)... for $199.00 USD. :) Sorry, couldn't resist..... -Mike

I think Corel should take the lid off of some of what Bryce 5 will have. I use both Bryce and Vue d'Esprit, and I have been debating on if I can afford to, or bettter yet even wish to continue using both products. I have been using Bryce since it was released in the Windows format. You all remember the one that didn't work right. I was one of those that stuck it out and waited for Metacreation's to send me the functional version of the program. I started using Vue when Ver. 3.1 came out. Both programs have their strong points, but I find Vue a little easier to use. I will say that my exposure to Bryce assited in this. Now E-onsoftware has released the new version Vue 4.0 feature list, and it is very impressive. I am one of those that feel Bryce 4 was not really a full version increase over Bryce 3D. Outside of the new sky editor there really wasn't really anything to shout about. I felt taken by Metacreation at that point, and that is part of why I am somewhat wary about the lack of details on what Bryce 5 will have. Come on Corel give a preview of what you are working on. The release of Vue 4.0 is in Mid June. I will more than likely upgrade from Version 3.1 to 4.0, unless I have some reason to hold off. If Bryce 5 is another half assed upgrade like Bryce 4, I'll just hang on to my money when it is released. I don't wish to sound so negative. Bryce has been a joy to use. It has allowed me create things that I never would have dreamed possible. It just that I can't understand the lack of information on what this new version will do. If it's going to be so great, one would think that Corel would be sounding off about it. E-onsoft was releasing tid bits to keep their loyal users interested. Bryce has always been the leader for those of us that desired a nice 3D Raytracing program, but didn't want to go broke purchasing it. I am begining to wonder if Vue d'Esprit will take the lead now in this area. I hope I am wrong, but since no one is talking, only time will tell.

Bryce 4 was barely worth the upgrade cost over v3, but it is and always will be an incredible piece of software. But I do hope that version 5 will be a true new version of the program, not just a few minor features, Corel does need to make an announcement, and soon. We are waiting here for any info, and nothing has been said. It's too bad they didn't aquire Ray Dream Studio5.5 also,wouldn't it be nice to have some true basic modeling tools in Bryce, along with a faster render engine, I'm just wishing here, but wishes sometimes do come true. Hopefully Bryce 5 will be something to shout about.

Attached Link: http://www.gdiekert.de

I completely agree with jas and I am about in the same situation with the exception that I also recently upgraded from Animatek's World Builder 2 to 3 ;-) Vue 4 DOES sound impressive! However, I still don't like the way the sun is depicted in Vue 3 (see my homepage). I am also wondering about the upgrade policy of Corel. There was a rumor - I can't remember where I read that - that it might not be possible to upgrade from 3 to 5 and you might have to purchase the whole product. In this case, I would think it over if it's worth for me to buy Bryce 5 or not, since I also felt that upgrading to Bryce 4 from 3 was not worth the money. If the upgrade is possible, I will also update my comparative review of Bryce vs. Vue d'Esprit on my homepage ;-)

This is a little OT of courser, but someone from Corel called me (as a registered Painter 6 user), and asked me to take part in a survey. Then I was able to ask questions and I asked how much the upgrade form Painter 6 to Painter 7 was, and was told it was like $280.00.... then she asked me if I would upgrade, and I told her I couldn't believe the upgrade would cost so much becaus my full boxed version of Painter 6 which I had bought from Comp USA had only been $400.00! In any event, I imagine that the Bryce 5 upgrade, if there even is any, will probably be more expensive than the upgrade from 3 to 4. I'm also a registered Brycer, but I never use it anymore, sinc egetting into Vue. I was not impressed with Corel's 4.1 "upgrade" to Bryce 4 any more than I was with their "upgrade" to Painter 6.1--- I'm STILL trying to figure out how they called what they did to Painter an upgrade, unless you want to count that now the Corel name appears on it... I only hope they are actually trying to do a real improvement with these two great programs, and not simply hoping to cash in on peoples' trust. I for one, don't trust Corel.

I had my doubts, and still do to some extent about what Bryce 5 is actually offering. We know from info on the net about beta previews that it has an improved render engine with new features, all of which add enormously to render times, but are pretty cool, and long overdue like soft shadows, a form of radiosity, depth of field blur etc. (although it would be quicker to do this in an image editor anyway) and from what I have seen of a couple of images posted lately in the Bryce gallery, it appears to have blurry reflections and possibly a type engine!? - also, a vegitation system like in Vue may now be in place. these are all nice touches and will for a lot of people, make the upgrade worthwhile. I for one would like to see a bit more modelling capability built in for simple spline/path creation but I wouldnt count on it! - I am interested to see that Vue will be available for the Mac at long last, particularly OSX! as Mac users will definately feel the speed benefits in rendering combined with the G4-G5 chipsets!

Adam Benton | www.kromekat.com

I would say that for me Bryce 3 to 4 was a worthwhile upgrade, and the price wasn't excessive (can't remember the exact figure, about $100). I'm not sure what features they can add to B5 that would have me making another upgrade. A better modelling capacity would be very nice, but somehow I suspect it just wouldn't work with the way Bryce is structured (consider the "fake Booleans"). Vegetation systems don't interest me that much; I'm happy to add the odd tree by hand. Slower renders I DON'T need, even if they do bring in radiosity.

The big advantage that Bryce has over Vue is it's installed user base and the wealth of information/tutorials/teqniques/models & mats that are freely available on the net. That being said I'll probably end up with both Bryce & Vue anyway.

Its funny that Corel has been closemouthed about new features. How can you sell a new version of a product without pushing the new features? Even if some of the features did not make it, put a disclaimer at the bottom of the page. Caligari had several pages on the new features for Truespace 5 before it came out, I was ready to upgrade. I hope that Corel is just being careful and the new upgrade will have more than just some plants.

I have already stated what most of the new features (that I know) of will be above! - there are a few more fx options I believe. But I agree, Corel should be promoting the items that will definately be in place by now!

Adam Benton | www.kromekat.com

I have already stated what most of the new features (that I know) of will be above! - there are a few more fx options I believe. But I agree, Corel should be promoting the items that will definately be in place by now!

Adam Benton | www.kromekat.com