home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- Persistence of Vision(tm) Ray Tracer
-
- POV-Ray(tm) Version 3.00
-
- Where to Get It and Other Info
-
- July 2, 1996
-
- The Persistence of Vision(tm) Ray Tracer creates three-dimensional,
- photo-realistic images using a rendering technique called ray tracing. It
- reads in a text file containing information describing the objects and
- lighting in a scene and generates an image of that scene from the view
- point of a camera also described in the text file. Ray tracing is not a
- fast process by any means, but it produces very high quality images with
- realistic reflections, shading, perspective, and other effects.
-
- The POV-Ray(tm) package includes detailed instructions on using the
- ray tracer and creating scenes. Many stunning scenes are included with POV-
- Ray so you can start creating images immediately when you get the package.
- These scenes can be modified by the user also so they don't have to start
- from scratch.
-
- In addition to the pre-defined scenes are a large library of
- predefined shapes and materials that can be used in your own scenes by just
- typing the name of the shape or material.
-
- POV-Ray is easy to use, and also includes many advanced features like
- bezier patches, blobs, height-fields, bump mapping, atmosphere, text
- objects and more.
-
- POV-Ray can be used under MS-Dos, Windows 3.x, NT & '95; Apple
- Macintosh 68k and Power PC; Amiga; Linux, SunOS; UNIX, and other
- computers.
-
- Here is a list of the files that you need to use POV-Ray on your
- computer.
-
- The latest versions of these files are available over CompuServe,
- Internet, America Online, and several BBS's. See 'Where to find POV-Ray
- files' section below for more info.
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- For MS-Dos systems:
- -------------------
- The MS-Dos version runs under MS-Dos, or as a dos application under
- Windows'95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1 or 3.11. It also runs
- under OS/2 and Warp.
-
- Required hardware & software:
- - A 386 or better CPU and at least 4 meg of RAM.
- - About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond
- that for working space.
- - A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
- The EDIT program that comes with MS-Dos will work for moderate
- size files.
- - Graphic file viewer capable of viewing GIF and perhaps TGA
- and PNG formats.
-
- Required POV-Ray files:
- - POVMSDOS.EXE -- a self-extracting archive containing
- the program, sample scenes, standard include files, and
- documentation in a hypertext help format with help viewer.
- This file may be split into smaller files for easier downloading.
- Check the directory of your download or ftp site to see if
- other files are needed.
-
- Recommended:
- - Pentium or 486dx or math co-processor for 386 or 486sx
- - 8 meg or more RAM.
- - SVGA display preferably with VESA interface and high color
- or true color ability.
-
- Optional:
- The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided
- for the curious and adventurous.
- - POVMSD_S.ZIP - The C source code for POV-Ray for MS-Dos.
- Contains generic parts and MS-Dos specific parts. It does not
- include sample scenes, standard include files, and documentation
- so you should also get the executable archive as well.
- - A C compiler that can create 32-bit protected mode applications.
- We support Watcom 10.6, Borland 4.52 with Dos Power Pack and
- the Gnu DJGPP 2.0 compilers.
-
-
- For Windows systems:
- --------------------
- The Windows version runs under Windows'95, Windows NT, and under
- Windows 3.1 or 3.11 if Win32s extensions are added. Also runs under
- OS/2 Warp.
-
- Required hardware & software:
- - A 386 or better CPU and at least 8 meg of RAM.
- - About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond
- that for working space.
-
- Required POV-Ray files:
- - User archive POVWIN3.EXE -- a self-extracting archive containing
- the program, sample scenes, standard include file, and
- documentation. This file may be split into smaller files
- for easier downloading. Check the directory of your download or
- ftp site to see if other files are needed.
-
- Recommended:
- - Pentium or 486dx or math co-processor for 386 or 486sx
- - 16 meg or more RAM.
- - SVGA display preferably with high color or true color ability
- and drivers installed.
-
- Optional:
- The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided
- for the curious and adventurous.
- - POVWIN_S.ZIP - The C source code for POV-Ray for Windows.
- Contains generic parts and Windows specific parts. It does not
- include sample scenes, standard include files, and documentation
- so you should also get the executable archive as well.
-
- - POV-Ray can only be compiled using C compilers that create
- 32-bit Windows applications. We support Watcom 10.6, and
- Borland 4.52 or 5.0 compilers.
-
-
- For Macintosh systems:
- ----------------------
- The Macintosh versions run under Apple's MacOS operating system
- version 7.0 or better, on any 68020/030/040-based Macintosh
- (with or without a floating point coprocessor), or any of the
- Power Macintosh computers.
-
- Required hardware & software:
- > A 68020 or better CPU without a floating point unit
- (LC/Performa/Centris series) and at least 8 MB RAM
- *or*
- > A 68020 or better CPU *with* a floating point unit
- (Mac II/Quadra series) and at least 8 MB RAM
- *or*
- > Any Power Macintosh computer and at least 8 MB RAM.
- - System 7 or newer and color QuickDraw (System 6 is
- no longer supported.)
- - About 6 MB free disk space to install and an additional
- 2-10 MB free space for working space.
- - Graphic file viewer utility capable of viewing Mac PICT,
- GIF, and perhaps TGA and PNG formats (the shareware
- GIFConverter or GraphicConverter applications are good.)
-
- Required POV-Ray files:
- > POVMACNF.SIT or POVMACNF.SIT.HQX -- a Stuffit archive containing
- the non-FPU 68K Macintosh application, sample scenes, standard
- include files, and documentation (slower version for Macs without
- an FPU.)
- *or*
- > POVMAC68.SIT or POVMAC68.SIT.HQX -- a Stuffit archive containing
- the FPU 68K Macintosh application, sample scenes, standard include
- files, and documentation. (faster version for Macs WITH an FPU.)
- *or*
- > POVPMAC.SIT or POVPMAC.SIT.HQX -- a Stuffit archive containing the
- native Power Macintosh application, sample scenes, standard include
- files, and documentation.
-
- Recommended:
- - 68030/33 or faster with FPU, or any Power Macintosh
- - 8 MB or more RAM for 68K Macintosh;
- 16 MB or more for Power Macintosh systems.
- - Color monitor preferred, 256 colors OK, but thousands
- or millions of colors is even better.
-
- Optional:
- The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided
- for the curious and adventurous. POV-Ray can be compiled
- using Apple's MPW 3.3, Metrowerks CodeWarrior 8, or Symantec 8.
-
- - POVMACS.SIT or POVMACS.SIT.HQX - The full C source code for POV-Ray
- for Macintosh. Contains generic parts and Macintosh specific
- parts. It does not include sample scenes, standard include files,
- and documentation so you should also get the executable archive
- as well.
-
-
-
- For Amiga systems:
- ------------------
- The Amiga version comes in several flavors, 68000/68020 without
- FPU, (not recommended, very slow) 68020/68881(68882), 68030/68882
- and 68040. There are also two sub-versions, one with a CLI-only
- interface, and one with a GUI (requires MUI 3.1). All versions
- run under OS2.1 and up. Support exists for pensharing and window
- display under OS3.x with 256 color palettes, and CybeGFX display
- library support.
-
- Required:
- - at least 4 meg of RAM.
- - at least 2 meg of hard disk space for the necessities, 5-20 more
- recommended for workspace.
- - an ASCII text editor, GUI configurable to launch the editor of
- your choice.
- - Graphic file viewer - POV-Ray outputs to PNG, Targa (TGA), and
- PPM formats, converters from the PPMBIN distribution are
- included to convert these to IFF ILBM files.
-
- Required POV-Ray files:
- - POVAMI.LHA -- a LHA archive containing executable, sample scenes,
- standard include files, and documentation.
-
- Recommended:
- - 8 meg or more of RAM.
- - 68030 & 68882 or higher processor.
- - 24bit display card (CyberGFX library supported)
-
- As soon as a stable compiler is released for Amiga PowerPC
- systems, plans are to add this to the flavor list.
-
- Optional:
-
- The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided
- for the curious and adventurous.
-
- - POVAMI_S.LHA --- The C source code for POV-Ray for Amiga.
- Contains generic parts and Amiga specific parts. It does not
- include sample scenes, standard include files, and documentation
- so you should also get the executable archive as well.
-
-
- For Linux on Intel 80x86 CPU:
- -----------------------------
- Required hardware & software:
-
- - A 386 or better CPU and at least 4 meg of RAM.
- - About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond that
- for working space.
- - A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
- - Any recent (1994 onwards) Linux kernel and support for ELF format
- binaries. POV-Ray for Linux is NOT in a.out format.
- - ELF libraries libc.so.5, libm.so.5, and one or both of libX11.so.6
- or libvga.so.1
-
-
- Required POV-Ray files:
-
- - POVLINUX.TGZ or POVLINUX.TAR.GZ --- archive containing an official
- binary for each SVGALib and X-Windows modes. Also contains sample
- scenes, standard include files, and documentation.
-
-
- Recommended:
-
- - Pentium or 486dx or math co-processor for 386 or 486sx
- - 8 meg or more RAM.
- - SVGA display preferably high color or true color ability.
- - If you want display, you'll need either SVGALib or X-Windows.
- - Graphic file viewer capable of viewing PPM, TGA or PNG formats.
-
- Optional:
-
- The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided for the
- curious and adventurous.
-
- - POVUNI_S.TGZ or POVUNI_S.TAR.GZ --- The C source code for POV-Ray
- for Linux. Contains generic parts and Linux specific parts.
- It does not include sample scenes, standard include files, and
- documentation so you should also get the executable archive as
- well.
-
- - The GNU C compiler and (optionally) the X include files and
- libraries and KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO USE IT. Although we provide
- source code for generic Unix systems, we do not provide technical
- support on how to compile the program.
-
-
- For SunOS systems:
- ------------------
- Required hardware & software:
-
- - A Sun SPARC processor and at least 4 meg of RAM
- - About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond that
- for working space.
- - A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
- - SunOS 4.1.3 or other operating system capable of running such a
- binary (possibly Solaris or Linux for Sparc)
-
- Required POV-Ray files:
-
- - POVSUNOS.TGZ or POVSUNOS.TAR.GZ --- archive containing an official
- binary for each text-only and X-Windows modes. Also contains sample
- scenes, standard include files, and documentation.
-
- Recommended:
-
- - 8 meg or more RAM.
- - If you want display, you'll need X-Windows or an X-Term.
- - preferably 24-bit TrueColor display ability, although the X
- display code is known to work with ANY combination of visual
- and color depth.
- - Graphic file viewer capable of viewing PPM, TGA or PNG formats.
-
- Optional:
-
- The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided for the
- curious and adventurous.
-
- - POVUNI_S.TGZ or POVUNI_S.TAR.GZ --- The C source code for POV-Ray
- for Linux. Contains generic UNIX parts and Linux specific parts.
- It does not include sample scenes, standard include files, and
- documentation so you should also get the executable archive as
- well.
-
- - A C compiler and (optionally) the X include files and libraries
- and KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO USE IT. Although we provide source code
- for generic Unix systems, we do not provide technical support on
- how to compile the program.
-
- For generic UNIX:
- -----------------
-
- Required:
- - POVUNI_S.TGZ or POVUNI_S.TAR.GZ --- The C source code for POV-Ray
- for Unix. Either archive contains full generic source, Unix and
- X-Windows specific source.
- - POVUNI_D.TGZ or POVUNI_D.TAR.GZ or any archive containing the
- sample scenes, standard include files, and documentation. This
- could be the Linux or SunOS executable archives described above.
- - A C compiler for your computer and KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO USE IT.
- Although we provide source code for generic Unix systems, we
- do not provide technical support on how to compile the program.
- - A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
-
- Optional:
- - X Windows if you want to be able to display as you render.
- - You will need the X-Windows include files as well. If you're not
- familiar with compiling programs for X-Windows you may need some
- help from someone who is knowledgeable at your installation because
- the X include files and libraries are not always in a standard
- place.
-
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Each executable archive includes full documentation for POV-Ray
- itself as well as specific instructions for using POV-Ray with your type
- of computer.
-
- ** POV-Ray(tm) is copyrighted freeware written by the POV-Team(tm).
- ** It may be freely distributed subject to the restrictions
- ** defined in POVLEGAL.DOC found in all of our archives.
- ** POV-Ray is NOT public domain software.
-
- POV-Ray is based on DKBTrace 2.12 by David K. Buck and Aaron A. Collins.
-
- The POV-Ray Team is a collection of volunteer programmers, designers,
- animators and artists meeting via electronic mail on Compuserve's GRAPHDEV
- forum. GO GRAPHDEV.
-
- The POV-Ray Team's goal is to create freely distributable, high
- quality rendering and animation software written in C that can be easily
- ported to many different computers.
-
- If you have any questions about POV-Ray, please contact
-
- Chris Young
- [POV-Team Coordinator]
-
- CIS: 76702,1655
- Internet: 76702.1655@compuserve.com
-
-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Where to find the POV-Ray files
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Graphics Developer Forum on CompuServe
- --------------------------------------
- POV-Ray headquarters are on CompuServe GRAPHDEV forum ray tracing sections.
- We meet there to share info and graphics and discuss ray tracing, fractals
- and other kinds of computer art. Everyone is welcome to join in on the
- action on CIS GRAPHDEV. Hope to see you there! You can get information
- on joining CompuServe by calling (800)848-8990 or visit the CompuServe home
- page http://www.compuserve.com. Direct CompuServe access is also available
- in Japan, Europe and many other countries.
-
-
- Internet
- --------
- The internet home of POV-Ray is http://www.povray.org and ftp.povray.org.
- Please stop by often for the latest files, utilities, news and images from
- the official POV-Ray internet site.
-
- The comp.graphics.rendering.raytracing newsgroup has many competent POV-Ray
- users that are very willing to share their knowledge. They generally ask
- that you first browse a few files to see if someone has already answered the
- same question, and of course, that you follow proper "netiquette". If you
- have any doubts about the qualifications of the folks that frequent the
- group, a few minutes spend at the Ray Tracing Competition pages at
- www.povray.org will quickly convince you!
-
-
- PC Graphics area on America On-Line
- -----------------------------------
- There's an area now on America On-Line dedicated to POV-Ray support
- and information. You can find it in the PC Graphics section of AOL.
- Jump keyword POV (the keyword PCGRAPHICS brings you to the top of the
- graphics related section). This area includes the Apple Macintosh
- executables also. It is best if messages are left in the "Company Support
- section. Currently, Bill Pulver (BPulver) is our representative there.
-
-
- The Graphics Alternative (TGA) BBS in El Cerrito, CA.
- -----------------------------------------------------
- For those on the West coast, you may want to find the POV-Ray files on The
- Graphics Alternative BBS. It's a great graphics BBS run by Adam Shiffman.
- TGA is high quality, active and progressive BBS system which offers both
- quality messaging and files to its 1300+ users.
-
- 510-524-2780 (PM14400FXSA v.32bis 14.4k, Public)
- 510-524-2165 (USR DS v.32bis/HST 14.4k, Subscribers)
-
-
- PCGNet
- ------
- TGA BBS serves as the central hub for a large network of graphics-oriented
- BBS systems around the world. Following is a concise listing of active
- PCGNet nodes at the time of this writing. The POV-Team can not vouch for
- the currency of this information, nor verify that any of these boards may
- carry POV-Ray.
-
- USA and Canada
- SAUG BBS Bellevue WA 206-644-7115
- The Happy Canyon Denver CO 303-759-3598
- CHAOS BBS Columbia MO 314-874-2930
- 411-Exchange Alpharetta GA 404-345-0008
- Autodesk Global Village San Rafael CA 415-507-5921
- Space Command BBS Kennewick WA 509-735-4894
- The Graphics Alternative El Cerrito CA 510-524-2780
- The CAD/fx BBS Mesa AZ 602-835-0274
- PC-AUG Phoenix AZ 602-952-0638
- Time-Out BBS Sadsburyville PA 610-857-2648
- John's Graphics Brooklyn Park MN 612-425-4436
- CEAO BBS Columbus OH 614-481-3194
- Canis Major Nashville TN 615-385-4268
- CAD/Engineering Services Hendersonville TN 615-822-2539
- The Virtual Dimension Oceanside CA 619-722-0746
- Joes CODE BBS West Bloomfield MI 810-855-0894
- The Drawing Board BBS Anchorage AK 907-349-5412
- The New Graphics BBS Piscataway NJ 908-271-8878
- The University Shrewsbury Twp NJ 908-544-8193
-
- Australia
- The Baud Room Melbourne VIC 61-3-481-8720
- Sydney PCUG Compaq BBS Caringbah NSW 61-2-540-1842
- My Computer Company Erskineville NSW 61-2-557-1489
- MULTI-CAD Magazine BBS Toowong QLD 61-7-878-2940
-
- Austria
- Austrian AutoCAD User Group Graz 43-316-574-426
-
- Belgium
- Lucas Visions BBS Boom 32-3-8447-229
-
- Denmark
- Horreby SuperBBS Nykoebing Falster 45-53-84-7074
-
- Finland
- DH-Online Jari Hiltunen 358-0-40562248
- Triplex BBS Helsinki 358-0-5062277
-
- France
- CAD Connection Montesson 33-1-39529854
- Zyllius BBS! Saint Paul 33-93320505
-
- Germany
- Tower of Magic Gelsenkirchen 49-209-780670
- Ray BBS Munich Munich 49-89-984723
-
- Netherlands
- BBS Bennekom: Fractal Board Bennekom +31-318-415331
- CAD-BBS Nieuwegein +31-30-6090287
- Foundation One Baarn +31-35-5422143
-
- New Zealand
- The Graphics Connection Wellington 64-4-566-8450
- The Graphics Connection II New Plymouth 64-6-757-8092
- The Graphics Connection III Auckland 64-9-309-2237
-
- Slovenia
- MicroArt Koper 386-66-34986
-
- Sweden
- Autodesk On-line Gothenburg 46-31-401718
-
- United Kingdom
- Raytech BBS Tain, Scotland 44-1862-83-2020
- The Missing Link Surrey, England 44-181-641-8593
- CADenza BBS Leicester, UK 44-116-259-6725
-
- Country or long distance dial numbers may require additional numbers
- to be used. Consult your local phone company.
-
-
- POV-Ray Related Books & CD-ROMs
- -------------------------------
- The following items were produced by POV-Team members. Although they
- are only current to POV-Ray 2.2 they will still be helpful. Steps are
- being taken to update the POV-Ray CDROM to version 3.0, with a new
- version expected around October 1996.
-
- 'The Official POV-Ray CDROM'
-
- The Official POV-Ray CDROM is a compilation of images, scene source,
- program source, utilities and tips on POV-Ray and 3D graphics from
- the Internet and Compuserve. This CD is aimed not only at those who
- want to create their own images or do general 3D programming work,
- but also at those who want simply to experience some high-quality
- renderings done by some of the best POV-Ray artists, and to learn
- from their source code. The CDROM contains over 500 ray-traced images.
-
- It's a good resource for those learning POV-Ray as well as those who
- are already proficient, and contains a Microsoft Windows-based
- interactive tutorial. The disk comes with a fold-out poster and
- reference sheet. The CD is compatible with DOS/Windows and Macintosh
- formats.
-
- The CDROM is available for free retrieval and browsing on the World
- Wide Web at http://www.povray.org/pov-cdrom. For more details you may
- also visit http://www.povray.org/povcd.
-
- The books listed below have been recently listed as out-of-print but may
- still be found in some bookstores or libraries (Visit
- http://www.dnai.com:80/waite/ for more details).
-
- Ray Tracing Creations, 2d Ed.
- Chris Young and Drew Wells
- ISBN 1-878739-69-7
- Waite Group Press 1994
- 700 pages with color insert and POV-Ray 2.2 on 3.5" MS-Dos disk.
-
- Ray Tracing Worlds with POV-Ray
- Alexander Enzmann, Lutz Kretzschmar, Chris Young,
- ISBN 1-878739-64-6
- Waite Group Press 1994
- Includes Moray 1.5x modeler and POV-Ray 2.2 on 3.5" MS-Dos disks.
-
- Ray Tracing for the Macintosh CD
- Eduard Schwan
- ISBN 1-878739-72-7
- Waite Group Press, 1994
- Comes with a CD-ROM full of scenes, images, and QuickTime movies,
- and an interactive keyword reference. Also a floppy with POV-Ray for
- those who don't have a CD ROM drive.
-
-