DAZ Bryce 5.5 now free (Windows and Mac versions).

[Carol Haynes]

Got an email today from DAZ Bryce ...



The links on the image are as follows:

DAZ 3-D
Online Store
Gallery
Free Tutorials
Bryce Content
Rieval Hair
Medieval Village
Upgrade to Bryce 6

If you are into 3-D illustration etc. this is a pretty good deal !!

Check it out at Download.com

Here is a screen shot of Bryce 6 with a sample file open ...



and the same thing in editing mode

[lanux128]

is it the same version as this? Bryce 5 Free Till Sept. 6th

[Carol Haynes]

Nope - this is Bryce 5.5 (the next version with a slightly tweaked interface) and they seem to have passed it to Download.com without any download time limit (as far as I can see).

Originally I got Bryce 5 fro free when they ran a promo and upgraded to 5.5. Then version 6 came out.

This is a really good offer - even if you only have a passing interest in 3D graphic creation.

[lanux128]

thanks for the info, i guess it will come in handy..

[tinjaw]

I bought 6.0 today. I have never used Bryce before. But I downloaded 5.5 and then upgraded to 6.0. When you do they offer you a free interactive tutorial and give you a 30% off coupon for any additional purchases. I poked around and found a bunch of stuff already 50% off, and tried the 30% off coupon and it worked. So I sent $60 and left there with version 6 and about $200 of add-ons. I guess I now need to learn how to use it all. :-)

[Carol Haynes]

Wow - someone sounds keen - have fun 

[Darwin]

Just a general sort of service announcment: Poser, which complements Bryce (and if memory serves, the platform that the graphics for Second Life were created on) by animating characters has been offered free in the past as well. The last time within a week of Bryce 5 being given away, so keep your eyes out for an offering from them soon as well (I could be talking complete rubbish but I'm shameless!).

[app103]

So what is the free 5.5 missing that you would have got with a paid v5?

[Carol Haynes]

Nothing - it is a full version as far as I can tell - and they even supply some free graphics files to get you started. Version 6 has a few new features (and doesn't need full screen mode). I can't remember exactly what was new in version 6 though.

From the Bryce 6 help files:

What's new in Bryce 6

What's New in Bryce 6?

Bryce 6 introduces the following new features:

          o Random Replicate
          o Image-Based Lighting added in Sky Lab
          o Tool Tips added in main working window
          o Ability to apply a texture to the moon
          o Sky Library updated to allow multiple categories
          o Ability to add and delete library categories from within the libraries
          o Scroll bar added in libraries allowing more than 14 categories
          o Thumbnail preview in libraries increased so more presets can be viewed
          o New Brush Library added in Texture Editor
          o Import of animations from DAZ|Studio
          o Convert Boolean Group to Mesh
          o Ability to import and export 16-Bit Terrain images to take advantage of the internal 16-Bit storage
          o Main Working Window color scheme changed from blue to green

Other items updated/fixed:

          o Proximity bug with metaballs and trees fixed for Bryce 6 metaballs (Bryce 5 metaballs cannot inherit the fix)
          o Top file menu no longer permanently hidden
          o Grouped trees added to the Objects Library no longer crash Bryce when imported into the library or loaded into the scene
          o Macintosh permissions problems fixed
          o Multi-Processor support completed
          o Increased stability in OpenGL mode when opening files or moving objects
          o Increased stability when importing DXF meshes
          o Improved stability when importing via DAZ|Studio
          o Improved memory management when importing Poser/DAZ|Studio figures with textures

Bryce 6.1 updated/fixed:

          o Introduced a new IBL algorithm, added a Roller Ball to rotate the HDRI, and added Linear and Squared falloff options
          o Improved performance of the Network Renderer
          o Stability increased
          o Mac Intel compatibility added
          o Nano-Preview reflects IBL settings
          o Mac now imports textures from DAZ|Studio correctly and imports in general improved
          o Can now keyframe Materials
          o Collision Detection added in the Multi-Replicate feature
          o Library titles and descriptions now allow additional text to be added to accommodate the larger library preview size

Copyright © 2005-2007, DAZ Productions

Note I haven't reproduced all of it here - the first section (new features) in the list is a set of links to a lot more info in the help file.

[Grorgy]

Now this is not a dialup friendly download lol, if you havent looked its 122mb, but it looks really nice, i used 3d studio max in a course i was doing once, and its hopelessly out of my price range, this sure looks like a good alternative for me. I'll get to try it in 10 hrs or so 

[app103]

They are also giving away DAZ Studio 1.5 

[Carol Haynes]

DAZ Studio comes with all version of Bryce - and you do need the latest version for some of the content files. They don't always seem to include the latest build in the Bryce package. The current version number is 1.5 build 1 (I had to update it the other day because Bryce 6 came with version 1.4).

[tinjaw]

Just a general sort of service announcment: Poser, which complements Bryce (and if memory serves, the platform that the graphics for Second Life were created on) by animating characters has been offered free in the past as well. The last time within a week of Bryce 5 being given away, so keep your eyes out for an offering from them soon as well (I could be talking complete rubbish but I'm shameless!).

Poser looks cool. If anybody has an older version they want to sell (Windows only), PM me. I'm not sure I want to spend that much money on the latest version for what is just a passing interest at this point.