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Bryce 5.5 Full Version for FREE - Professional 3D Design Software

download.com — Direct link to download page. Bryce have released v5.5 of their professional design software for Win/Mac, so get it before they change their mind!

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  • kdjsmith, on 10/11/2007, -5/+103Found this one a few days ago. The really nice thing? They offer an upgrade to Bryce 6.1 right off their site, and all it seems to check for is that v5 or v5.5 is currently installed. So, download the free version and activate it with the registration key you get emailed to you. Then act before the end of June, because that 6.1 update (which makes Bryce a Universal Binary for the Mac and I imagine the PC version is ready for Vista) is on sale for only $19.99 until the 30th. But it gets even better.

    While I was downloading Bryce v5.5, I also downloaded their Poser-alike Daz Studio, which is a free app and I found later that it is included with Bryce 5.5 and Bryce 6.1, so once you have it you don't need to install it separately. You need to create an account with Daz to download it, which I did, and as a thank-you they emailed me a "30% off your next purchase" coupon code, which applied to the 6.1 upgrade. So with a little extra downloading, I got the free 5.5 and ordered the 6.1 upgrade for a measly $13.99 - where 6.1 sells for $99.99. THAT's a deal.

    • pcore, on 10/11/2007, -16/+4So do you get the activation key after you download it and from the program itself?

      and... why would they give it out for free?
    • streaky, on 10/11/2007, -2/+19In the hope of you liking it and buying an upgrade, same reason other software developers do the same.
    • Light11, on 10/11/2007, -2/+18give it out free so they get a buzz about their product, people try it, like it, buy the new version.
    • Gutterpunk, on 10/11/2007, -16/+4But Bryce is a 3d landscape application, not a 3D design software.

      Can we do 3D models in it? If nopt, why does everyone compare it to Blender? (and why should I download it only for the landscape)
    • darkstorm777, on 10/11/2007, -6/+12Its not just a Landscaping application. Its much much much more than that. The people comparing it to Blender are the same people that do the whole "M$ vs Linux" banter

      Blender = Free so it must = >*

      Blender is a Mesh Creator

      Bryce is a 3d Model manipulation, Landscape creation, sub par animation, creative outlet for artists that aren't engineers

      Its like comparing apples to oranges.
    • dbr_onix, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3"But Bryce is a 3d landscape application, not a 3D design software.
      Can we do 3D models in it? If nopt, why does everyone compare it to Blender? (and why should I download it only for the landscape)"
      Erm, creating landscapes could easily be considered "designing" - It's not a *3D Modelling* application, not that anyone is implying as such, or comparing it to Blender..

      As for why they are giving it away for free - DAZ 3D (the company that makes it) also give another one of their applications away for free (A "Poser" style character animation/character creation application), but only ship it with one or two characters and props - You but more characters and props from DAZ 3D, and that makes them a steady stream of money (rather than an initial burst with someone buying the application itself)
      I think they intend to do the same thing with this, "Populate it with buildings, people or any other object you create or from the extensive DAZ 3D library."

      Also, the more people using the application (and thus get familiar with it), the more people might end up suggesting it to their friends, or their work, who will then buy it (or content for it)
    • Dillinger71, on 10/11/2007, -7/+5Terragen 2 is better and free for non commercial use:

      http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/tg2/tg2tp/index.html
    • chanceman, on 10/11/2007, -5/+13Made with Bryce 2.0 (1996)
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/8755929@N04/535048408/
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/8755929@N04/541284189/
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/8755929@N04/540844102/


    • mygrayarea, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Bryce does modeling - csg from primitives and imports dxf's and other objects if I remember correctly. But it's not the type of modeling you would expect from 3ds max or maya with campher, bevel and splitting polys etc. Think of it more as being able to add and subtract basic shapes from each other. It also plays nice with poser.
    • ploik, on 10/11/2007, -4/+3The original post sounds to much like a commercial..
    • johnny222, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2I have Bryce 6. I highly recommend spending the money to upgrade. Bryce 6 is infinitely better than Bryce 5 because it has HDR lighting capability.
    • retral, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6Bryce.. professional?

      If Bryce is a professional 3d app, 3ds max & maya must be god.
    • unfinite, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6"Professional" made me giggle.
      I used to use Bryce a few years ago. It's a landscaping program primarily (mountains, skies, water etc. are very easy). You can also use simple primitives (cube, cylinder, sphere, cone, tube etc.) with boolean modeling. You can also import models (you cant really make them in Bryce easily).
      Renderings can take hours to complete because they are very high quality (area shadows, refraction, caustics).

      I recommend Bryce to beginners, or if you really really really like mountains. It's a good program to start with, nice UI, very user friendly.

      Some simple renders I did in Bryce in early 2004:
      http://fc01.deviantart.com/images3/i/2004/163/a/2/Key_To_The_Universe.jpg
      http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs4/i/2004/212/c/b/RC_Car.jpg
      http://ic3.deviantart.com/fs4/i/2004/232/b/b/Big_Mini_Gun.gif

      More recent Cinema 4D work (for comparison) late 2005:
      http://ic1.deviantart.com/fs7/i/2005/198/0/a/Basket_of_Peaches_by_Jammurch.jpg
      http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs6/i/2005/045/1/e/Monitor_WIP_by_Jammurch.jpg
  • sevenora, on 10/11/2007, -2/+117the internet is soon to be flooded with crappy digital landscapes.
    • directedition, on 10/11/2007, -9/+32Blender is already free and producing enough crappy digital landscapes to keep Digital Blasphemy going for the next 100 years.
    • Deranged, on 10/11/2007, -6/+19terragen is free... =(
    • darkstorm777, on 10/11/2007, -4/+5Yes but see, for those that don't have alot of money, and aren't into pirating, this is a good introductory application to get the feel of a 3D rendering application. Or if you just need a simple back drop for a 2D piece and don't want to spend days creating it.

      Bryce isn't to make movies like Cars, or FF, thats pretty obvious a market for Maya, Rhino, and lastly 3DMax, its a quick way to make a quality picture. And in no way is Bryce only a Landscaping program, don't confuse Bryce with Vue, you can quite simply do just about anything with Bryce if you really needed to.
    • Ryosen, on 10/11/2007, -5/+10For landscape generation, Bryce blows the doors off of blender and is a lot more powerful. I've been a Bryce user since the original version. Bryce is based off of the work of Kenton Musgrave, who pioneered the field of procedural texturing along with Ken Perlman and Dave Ebert.
    • darkstorm777, on 10/11/2007, -13/+11http://www.revolvingdesigns.com/bryce.jpg

      Made in Bryce.
    • PRlME, on 10/11/2007, -2/+11Terragen is a real good 3d landscape program, its just that you need to visualize alot in your head to get your final render.
      There is a lot of crappy art coming out of Blender cause alot of people who want to get into 3D use it as a starting point.
      Bryce is good for people who are just getting into 3D also, but there is not real modeling tools so dont expect to shoot out a car just like that.
    • Topher06, on 10/11/2007, -4/+1If you don't have a lot of money, then why do you need a 3D terrain generation application? For that matter, even if you have money, why buy a 3D terrain generation application? What is the point of a 3D terrain generation application, free or not?
    • DarthTurducken, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Mike Bonnell's been doing pretty good ones since the 90's

      http://www.mikebonnell.com/
    • unfinite, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1@darkstorm777
      Made in Bryce? no. Rendered in Bryce, yes!
      The dragons were definitely imported. As for the other things, they could have been modeled in Bryce, but some shapes look like they would have to had been imported.
    • darkstorm777, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1@unfinite

      Aye, I do stand corrected.

      There are a total of 6 elements imported into that scene.

      2 Dragons (Poser)
      2 Statues (Poser)
      1 Face (Poser)
      1 Stain Glass Texture

      Aside from the fire & lightning, the rest is all Bryce.
  • dshPls, on 10/11/2007, -24/+10Give me 3D studioMAX or give me death!
    • DroogInPhoenix, on 10/11/2007, -8/+22It's all about Maya.
    • fass, on 10/11/2007, -5/+34Personally, I chose cake over death and counted myself lucky they were Church of England.
    • CaptMonkey, on 10/11/2007, -4/+20I've always been a fan of Blender, myself. It fits my budget too.
    • jawadde, on 10/11/2007, -2/+11I have this nice Death package here waiting for you, free for today, $19.99 after midnight.

    • dshPls, on 10/11/2007, -3/+3It's all about what you started with, and what UI you're comfortable in. For me, I just choose 3dsm because of the wide range of plugins and renderer's, seeing as how I got "the educational version" I was able to try Maya and XSI, c4d and a few others.
    • ZaNkY, on 10/11/2007, -4/+3@fass

      dugg up for the Eddie Izzard reference.
    • BDLAMB, on 10/11/2007, -4/+15@ dshpls "Give me 3D studioMAX or give me death!"

      Since you are missing the obvious here: 3D Studio max too expensive for most people.
      The software being discussed is free and 3D Studio max is $3,495 dollars.

      While Bryce may be more difficult to use than Autodesk 3ds, the price differential is
      significant. It really depends on what you want to do with the software. Bryce is good
      at what it does, but is limited. IF you are not doing computer animation for a living or
      are not being paid for your 3d computer modeling efforts I would advise against
      purchasing the $3,500 dollar software until you have at least tried the free stuff that is
      available.

      You should also note that 3d Studio max (or Autodesk) is also available as a free
      demo version.. I would recommend you try that too before you buy because it is also
      fairly complicated to use.. (easier than Bryce is a relative term and Bryce can be fairly
      difficult to use, also).
    • BDLAMB, on 10/11/2007, -12/+2...
    • gweasel2000, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3Damn you Fass for taking the last piece of cake. Now I must choose death.
    • mygrayarea, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2There is a free version of 3ds max.
    • dshPls, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Gmax is free.
    • Bamborzled, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4@dshpls

      Gmax was discontinued and you can no longer download it.
    • dshPls, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1True, but you can get it from other sources still, just look around.
    • krz9000, on 10/11/2007, -0/+13dsmax is absolutely overrated. in fact its an old shoe not worth getting into if you want to start to learn 3d. if you are interested better test XSI or MAYA if you need the big packages. if you only want to poly-modell then MODO or SILO are other great joices...they all beat 3dsmax easily.
  • SpaceParanoids, on 10/11/2007, -15/+56"Professional 3D Design Software"

    Professionals do not use Bryce.
    • PabloIV, on 10/11/2007, -6/+19lazy ones with deadlines working from home, cause they're sick and don't have their pro rig from work accessible sure do.
    • DeadRooster, on 10/11/2007, -5/+14As a former graphic design professional I can tell you that professionals absolutely do use Bryce. Maybe not if 3D animation is your main thing, but it works great for the occasional 3D illustration.
    • Dennern, on 10/11/2007, -12/+3"As a former graphic design professional I can tell you that professionals absolutely do use Bryce. Maybe not if 3D animation is your main thing, but it works great for the occasional 3D illustration."

      Awww... come on, Bryce is good for a couple of things but it's just too limited. No professional with respect for themselves would ever use Bryce, and even if they did they would absolutely not tell a soul. Bryce is good for 14 year olds making wallpapers for their friends.
      Don't get me wrong, it's great that it is free and all, but it's too limited. Blender is much more powerful not to mention 3dStudioMax, Maya and Z-BRUSH.

      It's like saying that professionals use paint, maybe the do for whatever small purpose, but they make damn sure nobody ever hears about it.
    • ignavia, on 10/11/2007, -4/+34"It's like saying that professionals use paint, maybe the do for whatever small purpose, but they make damn sure nobody ever hears about it."

      What?! Professionals absolutely use paint! How the hell do you think my walls got this color?
    • thedaemon, on 10/11/2007, -7/+5Illustrator's may use Bryce or other similar software, but professionals in the cg industry don't. Plenty of professional graphic designers. I wouldn't be caught dead using Bryce as a cg animator myself.
    • johnny222, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0You can make some stuff well in Bryce (especially version 6, because of the HDRI lighting). It all depends on what you want. Bryce would be much faster if what you want is some metallic spheres. But I do agree that Maya or 3DS Max would be much better for something more complicated.
    • socokoolaid, on 10/11/2007, -1/+9Use what works and quit crying about it.
    • flip, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4Excuse me?
      I've been using bryce since I got ahold of one of the betas waaaaay back in the day
      It's been a great little application for me to work in and I've never found it's learning curve to be "difficult"
      The result can be very very nice and profitable.
      I can't tell you how much cash I've made using this little workhorse application

      My old site:
      www.candyflipdesign.com
      remember, everything there is a few generations old in software and computer power
      but it still holds up with what I've seen currently in the arena of flyer design.

      For everyone trying to yack about Maya and all the other 3D application suites
      the old credo hold still holds true,
      "Methodology over Technology"
      ( ie. having the latest and most expensive tools doesn't mean better results)

      Bryce is a environmental renderer that can do much more than what some people think off the cuff.
  • jakces, on 10/11/2007, -6/+2While Bryce isn't the best 3D app out there I have found it works well for my 2D publishing needs.
  • popothebright, on 10/11/2007, -11/+23Oh yeah, Bryce.

    I remember those days when people thought interfaces should be "exploratory" instead of logical, straightforward and intuitive.

    Thank god those days are over.

    Bryce is a nice toy, but if you're looking to create landscapes that are truly photorealistic, learn MAX. It'll probably take about 3x as long
    to learn, but by the time you do you'll have learned a serious professional package.

  • JTVrabec, on 10/11/2007, -5/+3It is nice
  • refoops, on 10/11/2007, -2/+18Bryce is actually quite fun, just don't expect anyone to take your artwork very seriously.

    Doesn't require an advance engineering degree in awesomeness to start it out, pretty friendly interface, I used to like it years ago because I could create fun images with the art skill of a dying squirrel.
    • bIuebonics, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1actually, using boolean combinations of various fundamental 3d shapes, you can sculpt amazing models. nothing as intricate as professional modeling software, but in the hands of the right person, you certainly can fool even professional cg artists into thinking you used "real" software. of course, you need to be able to manipulate objects in 3 dimensions in your minds eye before you can start sculpting detailed objects in bryce, but i can be done. all these people saying "bryce is for noobs, a professional user wouldn't be caught dead using it cuz you can't make detailed stuff," hasn't even the slightest clue as to what bryce is capable of doing.
  • kript, on 10/11/2007, -7/+0Bryce has been free for years... It's also haven't really been updated at all since the current company that owns it bought them out.
    • darkstorm777, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4You are talking about major upgrades that have been going on for years already by Daz3D, not just some company that just acquired the code and pushed it out.

      Do a lil home work.
    • socokoolaid, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1More like it really didn't start getting upgraded till Daz bought it.
    • kript, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1My mistake, I was talking about when Corel bought it. I had no idea it was sold again.
  • KarateMedia, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5Giving out free, full software isn't really that uncommon. The UK magazines Computer Arts and 3D World come with a disc of freebies -- usually demos, but sometimes full copies of older versions of Bryce, Poser, etc. Said issue will usually include an ad with details on how to get a discounted upgrade.

    Chains like Borders, etc, usually carry these here in the US, at approx. $15 an issue.

    It is a little rarer to see free downloads for all, but it's in the same vein...

  • jakces, on 10/11/2007, -9/+30REAL professionals aren't constrained by their the tools. If Tibetan monks can create some of the most breathtaking art on the planet with sand anything is possible.
    • dshPls, on 10/11/2007, -6/+17So you're currently constructing a human face in Bryce with 900,000 sphere primitives? That's commitment! You can expand the quality of your work with higher end programs, and streamline doing tedious stuff to further your final image. Or you could use Bryce and make everything out of boxes.
    • dbr_onix, on 10/11/2007, -2/+17[Ignoring the fact that was a fairly random, unrelated to Bryce, comment..]
      Of course you shouldn't be limited by your tools - But a "REAL professional" shouldn't be so "leetist" as to dismiss an application that might make their job easier.
      Like dshls implied, you could make a perfect human face in Bryce by making millions of shperes, but why? Why not use a proper 3D modelling tool that's intended to create model.

      Just because you can create a fully accurate 3D hair in a text editor by manually creating a .asc file doesn't mean you should - "The right tool for the job"?

      A "REAL professional" should be able to know when to use an application, and be able to learn it quickly and use it well

      As for us lesser non-professionals, Bryce is fun - It's reasonably simple to learn, and you can make decent looking images with very little experience - And even for "professionals", I can see it being useful for very quickly shoving together previs images/animations which can then be remade in more powerful applications..
    • norman619, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1Hmmm... It's a matter of efficiency of time and polygon count. If it takes me days to make a good humanoid model in Bryce and only a few hrs using a proper application with a full modeling toolset which one would be better suited to a professional? If time isn't a object then sure you can use anything you like but when you have a deadline you need a good tool which will not slow you down. And I think I qualify as a real professional since I do freeelance CG work. :-)
  • mcmadhatter, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4Bryce does have it's good points (especially now it is free), I got taught it at school for GCSE's back in the late 90's, mades some good animiations, it is easish to learn and good for schoolchildren I think, did me no harm learning it anyway, springboarded me on to more advanced things
    • norman619, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4I agree. It's a good beginner CG tool. It is fun toplay with. I know I loved it when I bought it way back and started creating my first very basic CG scenes. But calling it a professional tool is being less than honest.
  • joshuair, on 10/11/2007, -10/+13When did Bryce become "professional" 3D design software?
    • norman619, on 10/11/2007, -8/+5LOL! That's what I was going to ask. It's not much of a 3D design tool. It's primary purpose is landscape generation. I would not use this for anything other than nice web graphics. Calling it a professional tool is stretching the truth a bit. Making 3D models of anything other than a landscape is a nightmare. I know from exp. This was my first 3D application. I had to move on to a real modeling package to do any real modeling.
    • flip, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Bryce was always used by professionals that were either migrating to the computer back in the early 90's
      or by those that needed something reliable to get the work out on deadline
      using an intuitive interface.

      it was never intended to be a "maya"

      Just a good application that was able to give some really good results.
  • manbear, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5Sorry for the post spam, but anyone know how to get an activation key? I can't find it anywear on their site.
    • azeakimono, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1Make sure you have a web browser window open, then launch bryce and click the get activation code button.
    • manbear, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1sorry, but that doesn't work. It asks for the serial number before I can install. And it sends me to their site where, I can't seem to find it.
    • socokoolaid, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1goto their main page, www.daz3d.com , and in the top right corner 'Create Account'
    • mecmermun, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3Direct link: http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/bryce/-/breg55?
  • xshaisu, on 10/11/2007, -9/+4"Professional"? ROFLMAO
  • TheProfessional, on 10/11/2007, -10/+6"Professional?" hahaha. I don't know any professionals who would be caught dead with this.
    • norman619, on 10/11/2007, -3/+8It's a CG hobby tool.
    • flip, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Bryce was always used by professionals that were either migrating to the computer back in the early 90's
      or by those that needed something reliable to get the work out on deadline
      using an intuitive and even "fun" interface.

      it was never intended to be a "maya" or a lightwave nor should it even try to be
      it's better off being a great application that can do lots of nice things for people
      hobby images or professional.
      There's LOTS of room out there and people with different needs
      and personally I believe kai's interface (GUI) are Genius.


      Just a good application that was able to give some really good results.
  • norman619, on 10/11/2007, -8/+3It's sad that any posts poiunting out he obvious inaccusacy in calling this a pro tool is getting dugg down. If those doing the digging don't agree please go educate yourselves. Talk to a real professional. Ask them about Bryce.
  • StandardsDT, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Alternative download link

    http://dw.com.com/redir?pid=10696717&merid=6286136&mfgid=6286136&usraction=101&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3002-6677_4-10696717&ontId=6677&destUrl=http%3a%2f%2fsoftware-files.download.com%2fsd%2f_8TLIAGhguidQFqf02K167fQ5yvpguz8qmz97Q2VNcPZZJdClda0yLDZuh7FwTP83Bai_qeC8fVinSG-1gI5jTrbf_Ya9HtM%2fsoftware%2f10696717%2f10696716%2f3%2fBryce5_5_Free_Setup.exe%3flop%3dlink%26ptype%3d3002%26ontid%3d6677%26siteId%3d4%26edId%3d3%26pid%3d10696717%26psid%3d10696716
  • etx313, on 10/11/2007, -7/+6They decided to give it away after checking the books and realizing nobody has paid for a copy of this craptacular software in the last ten years.
  • cryofmankind, on 10/11/2007, -6/+2Why would anyone waste their time with bryce. I really don't understand it. If you're going to learn 3D why not learn what is actually used out there. It's primarily Maya for movies/television and Max for games. All this other free software is complete ***** and a waste of time.
    • socokoolaid, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3What if someone just wants to make up some cool *****, instead of starting a career out of 3d?
  • HalfBrian, on 10/11/2007, -5/+1Great... digg seems to have wrecked havok on Download.com's servers.... I am getting 72kib/s with DownThemAll on a 10mb/s cable connection.

    (and no, I am not torrenting)
  • MrSunshine, on 10/11/2007, -2/+4Nice, I remember they gave out an older version out for free too, but back then I was a bit late and couldn't get the activation key anymore.

    Now back to Terragen and Anim8or.
  • OwdenBowden, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Works for me
  • noseeme, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Haha, wow. I saw this a few days ago on their official site (referred from download.com) and I didn't believe it. I guess it IS real. :)
  • whiteyMcBrown, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5It's pretty awesome that they're giving it away for free, but I don't know if I'd call Bryce "Professional" 3d Software. It only really does pretty generic looking 3D landscapes that you wouldn't really use for anything, but a lame wallpaper.
    • bIuebonics, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2actually, once you familiarize yourself with more of the tools in it, you can actually sculpt pretty nice models. most people don't give it the time and don't have the ability to conceptualize models in 3d in regards to how you would do it in bryce (adding and subtracting fundamental shapes from one another to produce your results)
  • tokage, on 10/11/2007, -3/+10I wish all you artsy-fartsy douchebags would stop bitching about what Bryce is and isn't, and just enjoy the damn free software. It's like they're handing you a $100 bill, but all you can do is sit and complain about how old and dirty it is.
    • hockey, on 10/11/2007, -3/+4Because banging away on your keyboard whining and complaining is so much easier than trying to offer thoughtful constructive feedback.

      It's the flame first nature of the intarwebz
  • Diggingspoon, on 10/11/2007, -5/+1"It's like they're handing you a $100 bill, but all you can do is sit and complain about how old and dirty it is."

    You say that as if crappy modeling software shared as a marketing gimmick could put food on the table.
    • socokoolaid, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3What makes you think people want to 'put food on the table' with every free software given away?
  • keegan3d, on 10/11/2007, -6/+1"Professional"

    hahahahahhahahaha, thats funny
    • flip, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1IT kinda reminds me of this once guy that spent tons of cash on expensive and complex "tools"
      and then spent the rest of his time creating worthless junk....

      seems to me much of the bitching has to do with people justifying their high ticket price expenditures
      rather than boiling things down to the question: "does it work?"

      Whatever your idea of "professional" may be, doesn't matter to me
      since there have been and continue to be people that use this to get the job done.
      ( and they continue to get paid for their efforts)
  • huckdunsany, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4I don't know if I'm just being dumb, but I created an account at the Daz3d site (the Bryce 5.5 installer told me to) so I could get a serial for Bryce, but now that I'm logged in, I can't find any trace or mention of the correct serial! Arrgh! Can anyone point me in the right direction?
  • knuvue, on 12/05/2007, -4/+4If anyone is interest in serious 3D I would check out Maya, Zbrush, Sketchup, and 3d Studio Max. Bryce is *****.
  • brianzero, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3Bryce is a sort of entry level 3D program. I think I used it for a few minutes when I was younger, and quickly realised that it wasn't robust enough to create complex scenes or models, so I chose Maya. If you really want to learn an industry standard 3D program, my list is as follows:

    1) Maya (everybody seems to use it)
    2) 3ds Max 9
    3) Z Brush 3 or Mudbox
    4) Renderman, MentalRay or Vray renderers. Maxwell for still scenes.
    5) Wings3D, Blender, or MilkShape (All free)
    • dshPls, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3I started with Bryce, it's great to learn about rendering, and how long it takes, how to position a camera on a 3d scene. But when it comes to anything remotely complex the program is worthless.

      Anyways here's my take on your list:

      Maya: Character oriented, animation and physics
      3Dsm: Architectural renderings, some character stuff, plugins! (Which is what I love, I'll have Realflow on my laptop simulating while I build a scene to use FumeFX)
      XSI Softimage: Didn't really mess with this one, I think it's more for product design, automotive renderings ect.
      C4D: Bryce with a few extras
    • IceSabre, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Nobody uses TrueSpace any more? I used to use it for quite a while until moving on. Not free, but not THAT expensive either when compared to 3dsmax etc.
    • bIuebonics, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2actually, you can often create things just as complex with bryce, only it's a lot more difficult to do so. i've seen amazingly detailed models come out of bryce. it takes that thing they call talent.
  • nutzngum, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I'm going to try it - it's free and likely the quality of what you get is equal to the work you put into it.

    I've been using Vue d'Esprit for the past couple of years - can't wait to try Vue 6....looks yummy.

    In the meantime, thanks for this link - I know a few people who will get a lot of use out of it.
  • IceSabre, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4... no delete button in Digg...
  • mecmermun, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Comment spam, but here's the direct link for the serial:
    http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/bryce/-/breg55?

    If nothing shows up you'll need to create an account first!
  • Linkin7, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2To call Bryce a Professional 3d design software app is ridiculous. IMO, it isn't even in the same category. There's a reason for them to give this program away - cause it ain't selling!

    Maya, Max, Softimage, and Lightwave are in the professional range category. The others mentioned - Vue, C4D, etc. - are nice too, just not used as much in the professional realm as the first 4 mentioned here.

    I'm not saying not to use Bryce, just don't hype it as professional.
    • flip, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1IF you were to do a bit of homework and look at DAZ 3D business approach
      then you would realize that your statements aren't holding water

      The application version isn't their latest (upgrade is for token$$$)
      Their business is in providing the models that are used in both poser and bryce
      giving a solid application away is only going to increase their market base.

      and bryce is a solid application that is very useable for many people
      with results that weren't possible in hollywierd cinema not so long ago.
      It was never intended from it's creation to be a top tier animation application
      or for use in the generation of special effects
      but that doesn't mean that it's useless and can't be used for many projects
      at all levels of production.

      After all, I still see people using pencils and felt tips to create professional artwork
      that could be made in maya (including animation)
  • robodrew, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5I'd just like to have Kai's Power Tools back.

    Kai Krause I miss you and all your overdeveloped crappy effects! I miss your UIs that were more complicated and 3d than the rest of the software!
  • ghoest, on 10/11/2007, -5/+3Bryce is a joke to professionals. Professionals like 3d artists ARE constrainded by their tools. Your not painting a picture or sculpting (well you kinda are) but you rely entirely on the toolset given to you. Yeah great you can make some dragons and castles, but can you add in appropriate lighting, texturing, to make it move someone? Software like Maya or 3ds are expensive b/c they come with quality renders, and an adaptable toolset. Big studios use proprietary software b/c they can be versitial with the tools and whatever they need out of the software. like anything else, workarounds cost TIME
    @ brianzero
    those need a little further explaining
    1&2, yeah totally Maya and 3ds = total 3d packages
    3) those are designed just for displacement maps not really modeling (even though they can be used for them)
    4)All renders, most people use renderman (postprocessing subdivision = god)
    5) Open source 3d applications are crap, have you ever tried using Blender??? The interface is wretched. I'm all for open source, but it's just not there yet
    • Linkin7, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2I agree (on #5). Blender is nice, once it gets more developed and can do ALL the other things a total 3d package like Maya can do. But now, I'd say it's only a quarter of the way there.
    • swrostmore, on 10/11/2007, -3/+2I disagree on #5. Yes, Blender's interface is obscure. But that is more than compensated for by Blender having more features than Lightwave, Max or Maya. Fluid dynamics? Game engine? Pen-based mesh sculpting? Blender ships with them all, for free. And while its an internet cliche to bitch about the interface, the pen-sculpting is far more intuitive than Zbrush, and has more features.

      A quarter of the way there my ass.
    • brianzero, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Yeah, the open source free stuff is often a good modeling tool, and that is all. I do like Wings3D, as strange as that sounds :)
      @ ghoest
      You're right, I should have explained my list better. I had to include the renderers on the list because they are an essential tool when doing commercial CG work. And when it comes to using a 3d app as a whole package (Maya or Max), I feel a bit stifled as the included tools often aren't the best for the job. I need a package that is modular enough to add plugins to or have scripting capability.

      And, you can forget Z Brush for building Displacement and Normal Maps. I should have also included a painting program too like Body Paint or Deep Paint.
    • bIuebonics, on 10/11/2007, -3/+3actually, bryce in the hands of someone with talent can produce models through its boolean additions and subtractions of fundamental 3d shapes that would make most "professionals" impressed. it just takes some skill.
    • swrostmore, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3haha. booleans. lets put it this way, I'll believe it when you show me a picture of a model created in bryce.
    • bIuebonics, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1it's called google images there buddy... it's not my fault if you're inept at using a search engine.
    • swrostmore, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2I mean, I'll believe Bryce can produce a model (with booleans) that would impress me, when you show me one. Google images reveals a bunch of *****, non-impressive models. So its up to you to make your case for the awesomeness (lol) of Bryce's boolean function.
    • norman619, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Zbrush and appls like it are great for making really organic looking models. But you are right they are really mainly used to generate displacement/normal maps which are applied to lower poly models to fake the high poly look. But modeling in Zbrush is more like sculpting than what you do with Maya, 3ds max, and others. This is also why you can spot a Zbrush model. They have this really odd clayish look to them.
    • norman619, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3@bIuebonics:

      Why waste all that time building a model in bryce when you can build the same model much faster using a real 3d modleing application? It really does take much more time modeling in Bryce than it does in say Maya. You have much more control over the mesh in a real modeling application than you do in Bryce.
    • PRlME, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3For every one who has a problem with blenders interface....Blender was a in-house 3D app it was not made for the public. The interface is that way to spped up modeling time. "Modeling time" vs "making it eay for you to learn" Modeling wins. After learning the inter face you can model alotttt faster then other apps including Maya and Max. I can also tell you the developers over at Blender will not be doing any thing to the interface. (Thats why it has not been changed so far)

      "I'm all for open source, but it's just not there yet" fact is, it is all there..you just did not bother to learn it before you post a comment about what you dont know about.

    • eiresean, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0A little history on Bryce - it was one of the premier 3d apps in the 90's designed by Kai Krause's company called MetaCreations at the time.. His company was sold and merged many times over. What is left is now called Viewpoint. The software was sold off. As for being "professional" that would be yperbole.

      I used it for fun (have not for a while as it was not updated after being old for a long time) and for self created backgrounds for photo images. This was the 90's remember - pre digital cameras and early Photoshop. As for putting "food on the table" I have sold many Bruce/photo images through galleries. You can model with it but is involving. There are much better apps for modeling. For swrostmore who says Bryce boolean is not impressive here is quick link I found to impress him: http://www.cyberjournies.com/posts/359.shtml.

      Most good Bryce art is in Bryce related art links and may not be tagged for Google Image searching. Digg once in a while and you will be surprised what you find.

  • unfinite, on 10/11/2007, -5/+2burry
  • brianzero, on 10/11/2007, -0/+6And by the way, if you want to give the folks in Human Resources a good laugh, make sure you put Bryce or Poser as your primary tools on your resume.
  • ghoest, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3@swrostmore
    I use modo, maya, and renderman
    maya has it's own game engine, fluid simulation, and pen based scultping (artisan tools). It's interface is intuitive and while providing a robust amount of feature allows for you to approach getting to tools in in various ways.
    Blender seems to always be 1 step BEHIND when it comes to technology.

    Booleans are the devil, if that's all Bryce can do in terms of modeling then forgetaboutit
    Try to hand your Boolean model to your character TD and watch him fall out of his chair from a coronary. Talk about no flow in your modeling
    @brianzero
    Absolutly, Modo does a much better job at providing quicker modeling tools than maya. Not to mention faster subdivision, because it's gear entirely around modeling/ texturing
    if you like wings3d for modeling, try modo, it blew my mind and changed how I worked
    • swrostmore, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2artisan is terrible, it doesn't have a quarter of the functionality of zbrush or blender's sculpting tools. And you are either flat-out lying when you say Maya ships with a game engine, or else they added it in after version 7. Admittedly they could have improved Artisan after v.7 as well, idk.

      Maya is a great program, but in terms of ease-of-use it's way behind Studio Max. As far as blender being BEHIND in technology, it had mesh re-topology before Z-brush did, and as far as I know its sculpting tools are light-years ahead of Artisan.
    • ghoest, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Yeah maya does have a game engine built in I don;t think it's utilized alot but I used it in a game dev class. not sure when they added it. Artisan probly isn;t as functional as Zbrush but it's all inclusive to maya (ie skinning, painting attributes) and only adds to it's "artist" cred. But blender just got Sub Surface Scattering, whereas Maya has had that via mental ray since 7. Not sure about improvements to artisan tools in 8 or 8.5 but I hear ncloth is a significant improvement. Fact is that if you put Maya or 3ds down on a resume, it's respected. Blender I don't think as much. I talked to a former ILM guy and he wanted to start a studio based only on open source, but he said in order to work for him you would have to have a STRONG background in programming to work around the flawed crap that comes with it. I mean when something goes wrong with Maya I can call Autodesk, when something goes wrogn with Blender I have to rely on the community with no vested interest in the product. yeah open source vs. commerical software argument
  • ghoest, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3I still remember wanting to bitchslap a Professor for telling his students that Booleans where the best way to get the form of a mesh in Maya... That's just careless. Those students were wasting their money for 1 semester
    • norman619, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3LOL!!! I remember in my high poly rigging class they had a game animator trying to teach a rigging class meant for high poly models. I made a model of a 3 legged beast from an H.P. Lovecraft story I read. He swore he'd be able to help me rig it. After 1 hr of him looking at my model being obviously lost as to how to start I went to a local bookstore and bought a book about complex rigging for high poly models. I wasted $1500 on that class. I wound up teaching myself how to rig it plus learned some mel scripting to boot.
    • ghoest, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2*****!!! But good for you, mel knowledge just expands your horizons and so does rigging. I learned good modeling by trying to rig ***** topology models lol ;D
  • cterryr2, on 10/11/2007, -4/+2You can't lose! Bryce is FUN to use and learn unlike all other 3D programs which are hard to learn and a bitch to use. You can make 3D models too, not just landscapes. It a great place to start and for some things, a great overall tool for quick modeling. Don't knock it. I use 4.0 and will now upgrade.
    • swrostmore, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1Modern Art would be stuck in the stone age if it weren't for the brutal one-two punch of Poser/Bryce 3d...I'm downloading Bryce right now since its freee, and luckily I know how to make ugly generic people in 3dSM since I don't have poser. BTW Other 3d programs can be quite fun to use, although I admit it is hard to learn. Well worth the effort!

      http://www.maxforums.org/
    • ghoest, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3quick modeling = lame modeling if you don;t know anythign about topology
    • norman619, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Yep modeling stationary objects and modeling for animation are VERY different. Then you have to keep in mind how you plan on texturing the thing.
  • BallaShoes, on 10/11/2007, -1/+0http://ballashoes.deviantart.com/gallery/
  • climatewarrior, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1 Blender is a far more complete and powerful 3d suite. It seats side by side with other high end 3d suites such as 3ds max and maya. And best of all it is opensource and free. www.blender.org
  • rashadcarter1, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0Bryce can be used professionally as I have used it myself. Check out bryce5.com and do a search for my images rashadcarter1, and you haters will have to admit the program does more than you thought it did. I'm not saying it's a Maya, but ut is better than a pencil and paper, and worth your time. I'm not saying my work is amazing, but I've seen worse produced by "professional apps." Bryce has gotten alot better than it used to be. If you haven't tried it for many years, then just shut up. the software is great!
  • rashadcarter1, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0It's me Rashadcarter1 back again. I will provide direct links to speed the viewing process.
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2564&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2354&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2338&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2475&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2169&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2196&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=1992&mode=search

    As I mentioned before I don't think my work is that extraordinary, but I know it's better than alot of people thought was possible with this software. To me, these are incredible results to acheive with a "free" program. The hdr lighting is a great toolm though only one scene listed above displays that. Yes I could have rendered soft shadows for the interior but chose not to, still bryce can easily do it. For much better work than mine, search out Davidbrinnen, he's a big time professional brycer. Daz is making more and more improvements so keep your ears and eyes open for the future of Bryce. Later folks!
  • rashadcarter1, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0It's me Rashadcarter1 back again. I will provide direct links to speed the viewing process. http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2564&mode=search http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2354&mode=search http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2338&mode=search http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2475&mode=search http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2169&mode=search http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2196&mode=search http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=1992&mode=search As I mentioned before I don't think my work is that extraordinary, but I know it's better than alot of people thought was possible with this software. To me, these are incredible results to acheive with a "free" program. The hdr lighting is a great toolm though only one scene listed above displays that. Yes I could have rendered soft shadows for the interior but chose not to, still bryce can easily do it. For much better work than mine, search out Davidbrinnen, he's a big time professional brycer. Daz is making more and more improvements so keep your ears and eyes open for the future of Bryce. Later folks!
  • rashadcarter1, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0It's me Rashadcarter1 back again. I will provide direct links to speed the viewing process.
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2564&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2354&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2338&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2475&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2169&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=2196&mode=search
    http://www.bryce5.com/details.php?image_id=1992&mode=search

    As I mentioned before I don't think my work is that extraordinary, but I know it's better than alot of people thought was possible with this software. To me, these are incredible results to acheive with a "free" program. The hdr lighting is a great toolm though only one scene listed above displays that. Yes I could have rendered soft shadows for the interior but chose not to, still bryce can easily do it. For much better work than mine, search out Davidbrinnen, he's a big time professional brycer. Daz is making more and more improvements so keep your ears and eyes open for the future of Bryce. Later folks!
  • rashadcarter1, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0Sorry, didn't know it went through 3 times, I thought there was an error so I submitted it more than once. Sorry for the wasted space.
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