The recent discussion about whether or not to increase the level of moderation of the Wallpaper section here at Wincustomize got me thinking of writing this thread, and a couple of other threads recently solidified the thought. The subject of wallpapers that were wholly or partially created in Bryce comes up from time to time. Bryce just like any other graphics program is just like all the rest, capable of creating magic and spectacular trash, but unlike the rest Bryce has a very easy early learning curve. The easy initial learning curve of Bryce is as much a blessing as a curse. Anyone with only a couple of hours of playing around can create a picture that screams “Wow, I can’t believe that I just made this”, but then the real learning curve starts to rear its head. One trip into the Deep Texture Editor is enough to send a novice screaming back to the presets, the huge render times cause second thoughts about turning on Volumetric Lighting. The true potential of Bryce is in the scarier depths of the program hidden behind the initial interface. Below I’m going to list a few of the Artists that have reached the absolute pinnacle of the possibilities of Bryce, and a list of tutorials that will help the novice Bryce user on the path to making magic with this program.
The Masters:
Bill Munns http://www.billmunnsgallery.com/
Martin Murphy's http://members.attcanada.ca/~m.murphy/
Kelly McLarnon http://topazdesigns.com/~klm/
Susan Kitchens http://www.auntialias.com/
Sylvia Lutnes http://www.thecricketcage.com/
Peter Sharpe http://www.petersharpe.com/
Steve Lareau http://www.hilltopdesign.com/
Jac Grenfell http://www.jacgrenfell.com/
Jeff Richardson http://website.lineone.net/~morgoth/FullAwardListing.htm
The sites that I have just listed are the cream of the crop, but just like with every other program they didn’t start there, a ton of hard work and practice were required to make more than shinny spheres and blue crystal dolphins. Below are just a few of the hundred of tutorial sites and resources that are available on line. But first I have to mention THE book when it comes to learning Bryce, Susan A. Kitchens wrote “Real World Bryce 2” a number of years ago, and more recently “Real World Bryce 4” either one is a must have for anyone wanting to learn Bryce. You can get a copy at most book stores or at Amazon and it is worth every penny.
The Tutorials:
http://www.3dcafe.com/asp/tutbryce.asp
http://www.huntfor.com/3d/tutorials/bryce.htm
http://www.3dlinks.com/tutorials_bryce.cfm
http://www.3dvalley.com/phplinks/index.php?PID=15
http://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Technical/BryceTuts/BrycePages/Bryce1Start.html
http://www.bryceworks.com/b3textures/TextureDL.html
http://stevesartgallery.bryce-alive.net/tutorials/bryce/brycetut.html
http://www.cadtutor.net/dd/bryce/resource/resource.html
http://visualmagic.awn.com/
http://calyxa.best.vwh.net/~calyxa/pearl/tutor.html
http://hinchu.tripod.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi
http://www.petersharpe.com/
Take some time to do a Google search for “Bryce Tutorials” and you will find a Bryce tutorial for anything that you would or could want to create. No Bryce will never be one of the super high end graphics programs, BUT considering you can find Free copies of Bryce 2 or 3 and possibly 4 coming on cover CD’s for magazines like “Computer Arts” from the UK, and you can find the older versions of Bryce on line for 20 or 30 dollars. If you like the older version, almost all are eligible for the Upgrade price to Bryce 5. I’m not sure but even though I have a good job, I know I will never be able to purchase a copy of Max, Lightwave or Vue, so it is a great option for those who just want a hobby that won’t break the bank.
To tie this all together, take some time and make life easier on the fantastic moderators we have here at Wincusto and take the fuel away from the Anti-Bryce gang, by pushing into the deeper corners of Bryce and learn to make Magic.
Chris