3D Software- Bryce 4.0
Module last modified: April 7, 2002

PLATFORM
On the Macs, Bryce is currently available under Local Applications on the Apple Menu. However, you must check out the Bryce 4 CD from the black cabinet (ask a consultant to get it for you) in order to verify the license and open the program. On the PC side, Bryce is available in Programs>Graphics>Bryce 4.0. You can use either side; the instructions are the same.

PURPOSE OF THIS MODULE
This is a 3D application that allows you to make realistic landscape images, although they could be realistic for the planet Mars. You'll then be able to export these models as images into applications like Photoshop. You can also use them as backgrounds in a Director animation in another project. Note also that this module is different from most others: in it, I ask you to do the Tutorial that comes in the manual for the application (Pages 27-32), and then to do some work of your own; this is because I think the introduction is pretty good and it gets you working quickly. This module asks you to turn in Bryce files AND a page that you write in your turnin folder. You must turn in both parts if you want full credit.

STEPS
This module has three parts:

1. Open Bryce 4. I've copied pages 27-33 from the Bryce 2.0 manual for you to read: About the Interface and Flythrough. About the Interface is helpful reading about how the application works. Flythrough is a *quick* hands-on introduction to what Bryce can do. This information all applies to 4.0 as well and it seems better written. You may need, however, to check out the 4.0 manual from the black cabinet (ask a consultant to do this for you) to do some of the assignment below and because you'll want to look through the rest of the manual to see just how rich this application is.
   
   
2. Once you've had a chance to experiment with Bryce a little bit, I'd like you to create and render 6 images of your own from two different scenes following these guidelines:
   
   
   • Three images should be rendered from the first scene: the camera should stay in the same place, but you should change the lighting for each of the renderings, so that you create one image that looks like morning, one image that looks like noon, and one image that looks like evening. Each scene needs to contain a ground or water surface, mountains, an object on the ground and an object in the sky.
     
     
   • Three images should be rendered from the second scene (a new scene with the same requirements as above): now keep the lighting the same, but move the camera so that one rendering is from far away, one from a middle distance, and one from close up.

 

3. In addition to your six renderings, I'd also like you to discuss what effect you think the ability to create such realistic-looking landscapes has on our thinking about "real" landscapes. If you can make virtual-reality environments that make you feel as though you are outside, how does that affect your thinking about being outside? (And, in the virtual environments, do you notice that there's no animals or birds?) Make your writing at least 250 words long.

TURNING IN YOUR WORK
Please put your 6 renderings into your turn-in folder in our class folder in a Bryce folder, on or before the day this module is due. Name your files "BRYCE1" "BRYCE", etc., please. Save your writing in that folder also. Thank you.

Points
Turned in on time- 10
Rendered Scenes- 55
Essay- 25
Instructor's Discretion- 10
Basic points- 100

Bonus Points
Unlike most assignments so far this term, the bonus section really is a bonus or extra credit worth 25 points. Create an object in Bryce, such as a cup or a pipe, something that is hollow with an external as well as an internal surface. Move the camera through or into the object. Render six scenes showing the movement.

OR

Put your rendered pictures from the first part of this module into GifBuilder* and create an animation for a web page.

Bonus Points- 25

*In Bryce, use Export, then open it in Photoshop and convert it to a .gif. Then copy and paste them into GifBuilder. This must be done one frame at a time and is time-consuming, but cool.

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