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Bryce
5
at a Glance
Maker:
Corel
Price: $299 for the full version, $149 upgrade
Trial version available? Yes
Platforms: Macintosh, Mac OS X and Windows
URL: http://www.corel.com
Overall
Impression: For new users looking for software specifically
designed for landscape/terrain modeling, Bryce is an
excellent choice. There will be a workflow learning
curve, as with virtually all 3D software, but once you
learn where things are in the program, the creation
of terrestrial features becomes a snap. For users of
earlier versions of Bryce, the upgrade is definitely
worth it for the wealth of new features you get.
Key
Benefits: The benefits of using a dedicated system
for the creation of 3D worlds is pretty self-evident.
Bryce 5 takes the concept to the next level with valuable
new and refined tools for getting the job done. The
Light Lab and Tree Lab are brilliant additions to the
program's features. And other enhancement's to the program's
other workspaces, such as volume lighting and volume
blending for both distance and altitude, bring Bryce
squarely into the realm of professional 3D tools. The
Sky Lab is highly customizable and allows for the creation
of sophisticated atmospheric and astronomical features.
And the Terrain Editor allows for easy modification
of terrain features, such as erosion, spires, height,
etc. Finally, network rendering is a critical and much
appreciated addition to this program.
Disappointments:
There are three negatives to Bryce 5, all related to
workflow. First, the interface, while attractive, can
easily get in the way. In many cases, you'll find that
functions can be accessed only through little dots or
icons not really related to the function they represent.
I would like to see a customizable interface in the
next update, including the ability to add nested functions
to the main interface and the ability to add text labels
to icons. Second, when you mouse over an icon in the
main interface, explanatory text appears in the lower
left corner of the screen; however, in subsections,
such as the Motion Lab and Sky Lab, you get no indication
whatsoever as to the function of a given button. Third,
I would like some standard interface elements added
in, such as the ability to move and resize windows,
more functions accessible via menus, etc.
Recommendation:
Strong Buy as both an upgrade and a straight purchase.
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review
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AUGUST 23, 2001
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Corel
Bryce 5
[Page 2 of 5]
Rendering
As a whole, rendering has gained several improvements, including
volume lighting, volume objects and volume blending for both altitude
and distance from the camera. Camera features, such as depth of
field, improve the photorealism of the render. And new shadow and
light features, such as self-shadowing and light falloff, add to
the options.
Volume blending and depth
of field add to Bryce's render capabilities.
Click for the full-size image (680 KB).
But by
far the most appreciated new rendering feature is network
rendering, which allows Bryce's rendering client—Bryce
Lightning—to aid in the rendering of still images or
animation files across a network, including the Internet.
All you have to do is run the client on a networked device
(regardless of platform) and enter the client's IP address
in the network rendering setup dialog. Each client can also
be set to render tiles of a single frame so that even still
images can benefit from additional processors.
This is
particularly important with the new, higher-quality dithering,
256 ray-per-pixel tracing and more processor-intensive optimizations,
render times are longer in version 5 than in version 4. You
can also very easily set a project to render only on client
machines, freeing up your primary computer so that you can
continue modeling or move on to another project.
page
1, 2, 3,
4, 5,
complete, home
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