DAZ is offering the $19.95 upgrade if you create a profile (account) in their 'ArtZone', after which they will send you a coupon for the special upgrade price.

You can go here to check it out http://artzone.daz3d.com/

For those who have not looked, there should be (note - I am assuming they included this in the free version) a 'Bryce5_Manual' in: "C:\Program Files\DAZ\Bryce5" folder in a PDF file. If you see it there, it should have a tutorial that walks you through using most of the tools during various exercises, as well as helping to understand placing objects using the "Attibutes" menu (small "A" icon next to any selected object in your scene). If you are good with math, then this is an easy way to locate your objects in space.

On top of the program display area, there are the three main menus "Create" (create objects in your scene by clicking the shapes), "Edit" (manipulate the selected objects in your scene), and "Sky & Fog" (where you manipulate and edit the atmospheric components in your scene). If you click the "Sky & Fog" text to show the options (a bunch of small thumbnails displaying atmosphere attributes) - you can click the small 'cloud in a rainbow' icon to display the "Sky Lab" which can be used to set the sun location, fog and haze amounts, stars, cloud cover, and other attributes.

One helpful hint would be to recommend using the small white oval buttons located in the upper left area of the program display area (just above the small director's chair) to set you camera view settings. I always do the following to begin a document:

1 - Start program

2 - Go to 'File menu (in auto-hide titlebar) > Document Setup > designate the width and height of the image > set the 'Anti-Aliasing' quality (I use "Superfine" but this also lengthens the render time).

3 - Click the top 'small white oval' camera position button to set the original camera position, allowing me to return to this position anytime (especially for viewing the final rendered image which will also prevent a distorted view of objects due to angles and lighting). Note - this also allows one to play around with the camera view when manually moving objects with the mouse and return to the original viewpoint without concern.

After that it is basically create objects and use the material lab (which can be accessed using the small "M" icon beside a selected object) to apply materials to the objects.

That should get you started on a wonderful, if not confusing, adventure in the 3D world. Note - once the confusion turns to comfort, you can really have fun learning how to create the objects and materials you envision with this program.

Have fun....

Oops, took too long.

Thanks, ID.

Miraven,

Try downloading to "My Documents" and then extract to the same location.

After extraction, open the folder if the extraction process does not offer the option to view the files in the folder and verify that you see the "B5Axiom.dll" file there.

Close all active tasks in the taskbar except your browser and the extracted folder.

Double-click the "Bryce5.exe" file, which should load the Bryce interface with a dialog box containing the product registratio code you need to enter on the website > click "Continue" to proceed to the registration page and allow you to create an account and receive the key.

There are some instructions in case you are not sent automatically to the registration page by the dialog in Bryce, which are outlined in the Bryce forum here http://forum.daz3d.com/viewtopic.php?t=42729&sid=9482d584b523685eedbe7b0c7b171968

I hope this helps.

Okay, I can't edit my comment in #33. The link I left above won't go to the correct forum page due to the need to logon each time at DAZ.

You can get there by going to the DAZ site > create your account > go to "Forums menu\Bryce Talk\Registering Free Bryce5 post on top of list". This will provide a direct link to paste the product registration code into to receive the key to unlock Bryce5 free version if needed.

Not sure on that message.

Did you try removing all trace of the folder that you placed in ':\Program Files' directory, then run the '.exe' from the folder in My Documents? If so, then you might try contacting DAZ to inquire of the message. I know they are pretty helpful and may provide some measure of support even though it is free.