Persistence of Vision(tm) Ray Tracer POV-Ray(tm) Version 3.00 Where to Get It and Other Info August 22, 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 in our own forum -- GO POVRAY. 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- POV-Ray Forum on CompuServe --------------------------- POV-Ray headquarters are on CompuServe POV-Ray forum which is managed by POV-Team members. We meet there to share info and graphics and discuss ray tracing using POV-Ray and other rendering software. Everyone is welcome to join in on the action on CIS GO POVRAY. 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.