In regards to the previous string "Group Image/Project". The next step is to get a reasonable amount of response either here in this string or at the email given in the previous string. #1. Choice of subject matter. #2. Send emails with your admission and thoughts on which subject. With a reasonable amount of response we can put together the teams. #3. We need 3 starters too. OK let's keep the ball rolling.

I don't think the subject will matter that much, the end product should not be restricted. Each user should be able to add or work on from the previous version. Any way thats my thoughts on the matter. I've missed out on the first post so I'll try and catch up on this one.

1-Zhann 2-Trouble 3-johnpenn 4-Colette1 5-Darkginger 6-big_hoovie 7-madmax_br5 8-ICMgraphics 9-EricofSD 10-imanwillie 11-Peej 12-TheVelvetFoxx 13-SevenOfEleven 14-Roch222 15-Boomer OK, we have 15. Those still interested, please send an email to the address ICM made for us with the above stated info. bryce@icmgraphics.com We seem to be set on the toy box, and I like imanwillie's idea. One way we can do it, is to have the same start setting for both projects and then take them in different directions, the nice and on the other end, the evil. It would almost be like how it was when it was new and then after we got to it, hehe. ANYWAY......let's get those emails in so we know exactly who is onboard and take it from there.

If I somehow missed someone from the list, I apologize and slap me and let me know.

I'd say if we do teams, that we just split up alphabetically by renderosity name (it's not the best, but it's probably easiest). As far as the direction of the image goes, I'd say that once you pass it off, it goes wherever it goes! Your stuff might be scrapped, tweaked, perveted, or worse. Or, it could be the focal point. Who knows. I'd suggest that the 3 starters model some (toy)boxes. It can be as simple or as complex as desired, and it can be full of stuff or empty. Or in a scene, or just on a plain backdrop. That should also be up to the starters. One question: is an image going to go around more than once? That is, will the starter ever see it again? It might be nice to get it back, but it might also be nice to not be allowed to get it back. OK, one more question: Are we keeping the file in Bryce 4 (no trees/metaballs, etc) or are we leaving that up to the individual teams? I'd leave it to the teams, personally, I like B5, but I don't want to exclude anyone for not upgrading. Am I making this too confusing too early?

I'd like to get in on this, sounds like fun! I'll send an email. Doug

johnpenn brought up something that was originally mentioned and then dropped. I only have BR5 and it doesn't allow saving to BR4. Do we divide teams by software or do the BR4 people start and the BR5 end? Anybody have an idea?? Cie

hmmm, good point. I have 3, 4 and 5 and yeah, 5 won't save as 4.

Yea, maybe there ought to be two teams: Bryce4 team and Bryce5 team. I also have 3, 4 and 5.

Uh huh. That's important to figure out.

Looks like this is going to work. We'll take ttops and ocddoug onboard and, sorry anyone else reading this, but I think we may have to cut this off at 17, if everyone decides to do this. Amendment to what is included in the email you send. Also, please state what version of Bryce you have. I have 4 and 5. As previously stated, I also think that those that have 4 and not 5 should start and let the 5's finish up. As far as working on it, I think that when the image gets passed along to the next person, we should let it be and just add our work to it. I'm thinking, the first crew can either get the box or the backround going, then we start adding some toys inside and, i think, outside the box. Old or new, doesn't matter. But, let's get the matter or which version we all have down first and then set up the teams.

As I said I have Br5. I agree we should not change/remove an object that somebody else has added. I would think one of the points of this exercise is to see what we can add to bring the image to completion not removing/changing somebody elses work. But that just my opinion. Cie

Well, I think we should be able to change objects or tweak them slightly, just not remove them completely. For example, let's say someone adds a ball in the toy box, but they don't feel too confident texturing it, so they slap a preset on and pass it to the next person. Let's say it was a wood material. I would say it's ok for the next person to replace it with a similar wood material unless the original person specifically asked them not to alter the object. But no, I don;t think drastic alerations or removal should be allowed. My only advice is to complete your turn to your highest standard so that the next person won't need to change it much.

Hey there, I'm going to have to drop out, I have dialup, and it's slow, and I think (hope) that we're moving into our own house, providing the bank says yes, so I'll be busy packing, closing is on Nov25th, after that I'll be moving. Got my fingers crossed, at last no more rent, a mortgage of our own, six of one, half dozen of the other...:c) Sorry, I felt it would be a great learning experience for me, maybe next time... Zhann

I have Bryce 5. I agree also that whatever is added should not be allowed to be removed. Sorry you can't join us Zhann, but if this turns out to be as much fun as it sounds we'll be sure lucky to have you next time.:)

Will someone tell me in small words what on earth is going on? The Bryster I just got outa bed, by the way....

I've been pushed of the list! I don't mind this time, because I probably won't have time with all my exams at school, but if there's going to be a second project like this you can count me in. Can I conclude that this is the group image/project formula so far: - First we take a theme to start with. In this case the theme is 'a toy box'. - We divide the people who participate in this project into 2 groups: one Bryce 5 group and one Bryce 4 group. - The bryce 4 group starts of with the artists working on it in alphabetical order (determined by their username at renderosity). - After everyone of the Bryce 4 group has worked on the image the Bryce 5 team takes over and starts working on it. Also in alphabetical order. - When everyone has worked on the scene we will decide who's going to render the scene. (I could render the scene if no-one else wants to, but I'll put a time limit of 1 week on it.)

And this are the problems that still have to be solved: - Maximum file size. - Transporting files that are to big for e-mail. - Premium or non-premium render-settings?

Thanks Collette1, I look forward to working on the next project :c) Zhann

This looks interesting. For future reference, Where can one find instructions on how to save and send Bryce files through email? I have had no luck with that Are PC Bryce files interchangeable with MAC Bryce files? there might have to be three teams or even four with the version problem. Have fun everyone.

First thing is this. When you save your Bryce file, most people save a picture preview with it. On Windows, it saves a .bmp file an don Mac it saves a PICT file. I don't know how Windows friendly a PICT is, so I would suggest sending along a jpg file with the Bryce file. I know that I can open bmp files in Photoshop, but I don't know it Mac Bryce will recognize a bmp as the image render preview thing and vice versa.

Second, to email a Bryce file, I recommend compressing the file first. It not only makes the file smaller and faster to send, but it also protects the file from potential corruption from certain ISPs (like AOL). I use Stuffit on the Mac, but most Windows people use **Zip. Stuffit Deluxe can decompress and compress into zip format, I don't know about the lite versions. Stuffit Expander is free, There is a Windows version (and Linux!) available at http://www.stuffit.com/expander/ On that site is also a trial of the regular package so that you could probably use it to zip or stuff your file.

In terms of sending huge files, I think it would be wise for each artist to do their absolute best to keep file sizes to a minimum. Remember this, your email box is probably 5MB, but it could just as well be only 2 or as much as 10. That means that you cannot have more than your limit in your mailbox at any time. So, if you have 1MB worth of email sitting there, you only have 4 left that you can send. Not all ISPs are the same in this regard, I've seen some that don't care how big the file you send is, I've seen others that put a cap on you. Your mileage may vary.

An option other than emailing, if a file gets too big, is to FTP the file. It's an option, but let's get into that unless we absolutely have to. Likewise, there are programs like hotline. Though it's mostly used by pirates and what not, it's legitimate use is exactly this type of group project. It has integrated file transfer from computer to computer, a newsboard, and chat room. Best of all, you can run the server right from your computer, and anyone can access it (with the right login and password) via your computer's IP address. It is also cross platform software.

Lastly, as far as compatibility of the actual Bryce File between operating systems is concerned, I believe they are compatible. Try to download the file of spheres over water (as shown in this pic) that I'll attach to the next post. It's a tiny 16K download.

Hmmm, I guess I can't attach .zip files. Here's a link to the Bryce file: Go get it!

OK, final note: When I downloaded that file and unzipped it, my Mac thought it was a text file. Rather than tweaking with creator codes and other stuff, just Launch Bryce, and use File > Open and the file opens just fine.

Oh, one last thing. There are documented occurences of different versions of Bryce (namely 4 and 5) that change textures. It's slight, but noticable. Just something to be aware of. I remember when 5 came out there were a lot of complaints that it rendered materials differently than 4 did. OK, I'm done flooding the thread. I'll go do something else now. :)

Thanks for the flood Johnpenn! I shall take off my shoes and socks later and wade in. There is plenty of very useful and informative stuff here. Excellent! Cheers! Brendan.

ok, just for clarification, in one post, could someone explain to me: who are we to email, and what information is needed in the email? big_hoovie big_hoovie@yahoo.com

big_hoovie, send your email to: bryce@icmgraphics.com At this point, just say that you are interested, and you'll be on the list!

Rayraz, i'm truly sorry that I somehow missed you. You can still get in if you want. A couple of people have had to drop out for either personal or computer reasons, although I am sure we can work around the computer problems. ICMGraphics also stated that we could do an ftp in order to retrieve the file so that we don't have to worry about about email and the size of attachtments that can be recieved. As mentioned, compress the image before you sned it up to the server. You can get free versions of winzip, stuffit and winrar (all compression programs). PC's can handle PICT, JPEG, BMP and damn near any other format you can imagine. The most important file is the bryce image. O.K. Collective, it is looking like this: ICM graphics set up a mail account for us at bryce@icmgraphics.com. If you want in on this project, send an email with - your thoughts on the proposed image (keep it under 1000 words, hehe) and your version of bryce. PC and MAC Bryce files should be interchangeable. Those with bryce 4 will be in group one and, as stated by johnpenn, we'll pass he file along alphabetically by our forum names. If there aren't that many people with Bryce 4 that it will give us 2 equal groups, we'll just start from the type of the list of those with Bryce 5 and fill in. Also, as stated, when you can the image, don't remove anything. If you did, it would be as though the person that did what was removed was never on the project. Tweaking is fine, just nothing extreme to the image. Once we get the atmosphere and the main object, which will be the toy box, done we can all get a better idea as to what the mood of the scene is and get our own ideas working. Enough for now. Let's all make sure we get the emails in and I am sure that ICM will post a list of those who have replied once they are all in. Let's set a deadline of tomorrow night for the emails. Like I said, we aren't on a deadline and there is no rush on this project, but we should set a start time because as you can tell, there are some issues we have to work out. Who knows, we may be starting a trend.

Here is a possible artsy bunch of questions 1. Good pictures have elements that fit together, how do we arrange for that? Don't want a picture that just has stuff with no connecting theme. 2. How do we handle lighting in the scene? Lighting will effect the mood of the scene. Seems like a global thing. Some items may have their own lights on them, like a toy gun or robot. 3. Do we have to worry about possible copyright issues?

1. That's the fun. Everybody has to put in something that stays with the theme and fits the whole. Some will be better at this than others. 2. I should think lighting would be added last. Perhaps everybody can look at the completed image to see if the lighting chosen is complimentary to the whole. Ideas? 3. Not 100% sure but I think in this particular case everybody working on the project would hold the copyright to the image as contributors. I'll try to see if there's any lawyer available to ask. I don't think we should start making too many rules as this is supposed to be fun and a learning experience as there are many artists at different levels of expertise. :) Anyway, that's my take. Cie

Just a short one. Let's figure if we are going to do this as an old or new toy box/scene. Then, we can all get into the same frame of mind an get the creative juices flowing.

We need some limits. For example, on how much one person should be allowed to do. We don't want to have one person model most of the scene and then leave everyone else only to tweak it a bit every time. Maybe we should do it by percent coverage of the scene, or maybe we could sign up for elements, i.e. sky, objects, textures, lighting, and anything else. We could have multiple people for every element, for example objects, where 5 people would create the main objects for the scene and then 5 people would texture. I need to think/brainstorm more on this.

BOOMER: you are forgiven. I have to drop from the list anyway. I'm having my exams and I don't have time to work on bryce scenes to much. I can only work a bit on some of my scenes that are almost finised. Maybe I'll participate in a second group image/project.

too much talk, not enough do. I say fine, toybox. Old new, fantasy, whatever. Just go with it and see what it turns into. We don't need rules and guidelines, that will just ruin the project, and turn it into an "everyone make the same thing" event. With a few small teams, it shouldn't be a problem. Do as much or as little as you want to the scene. One rule: You can't completely eradicate the work of a previous artist. That is, if I add 10 objects, you can delete 9 of them, but not all. Likewise if all I do is add one object, you can't remove it. It's not about my vanity of having 10 things in there, it's about a collaborative effort and leaving personal vanity at home. If we do this and find that something didn't work, then we'll do it better the next time! It doesn't have to be (and it likely wont be) perfect the first time around! Sorry. I'm just antsy.