Persistence of Vision Raytracer
                         Version 1.0
                       Basic Information
                 -------------------------------

   The Persistence of Vision Raytracer 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 package includes detailed instructions on using the
raytracer 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, and material
mapping.

  POV-Ray can be used on IBM-PC and compatibles, Apple Macintoshes,
Commodore Amiga's, UNIX, and other computers.

  Here is a list the files that you need to use POV-Ray on your
computer.

The latest versions of these files are available over CompuServe,
America Online, Internet, and several BBS's. See 'Where to find POV-Ray
files' section below for more info.

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    For IBM-PC & compatibles:
    -------------------------
       Requires: 386 or better CPU and at least 2 meg of RAM
                 A math co-processor and VGA display is recommended
                 This version will run under DOS, OS/2 and Windows.
                 It will not run under Desqview.

       Files required:
       POVDOC.ZIP - The documentation for POV-Ray
       POVSCN.ZIP - The example scene files for POV-Ray
       POVIBM.ZIP - Executable and docs for IBM-PC and compatibles

       You will also need a program like PICLAB or Image Alchemy to convert
       the TGA files output by POV-Ray to GIF files and a GIF viewer
       program. These programs can be found from any of the sources
       listed below.

       Optional Files:
       The source is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided for the
       curious and adventurous

       POVSRC.ZIP - The C source code for POV-Ray


    For Apple Macintosh:
    --------------------
       Requires: 68020 or better CPU, 32 bit Color Quickdraw, and
                 a math co-processor or software emulation of a
                 math co-processor.

                 The math co-processor emulator is needed on the Mac LC
                 and Powerbook 140. The documentation included with the
                 executable describes where to find a math co-processor
                 emulator.

                 32 bit Color Quickdraw is part of System 7's automatic
                 installation on color Macs. Owners of Mac SE/30 and
                 other non-color Macs will need to use custom
                 installation options to add 32 bit Color Quickdraw.

       Files Required:
       POVDOC.SIT - The documentation for POV-Ray
       POVSCN.SIT - The example scene files for POV-Ray
       POVMAC.SIT - Executable and docs for Apple Macintosh

       Optional Files:
       The source is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided for the
       curious and adventurous

       POVSRC.SIT - The C source code for POV-Ray


    For Commodore Amiga:
    --------------------
       Requires: Amiga 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000's and should work
                 under AmigaDOS 1.3 or 2.xx.  Supports HAM mode as
                 well as HAM-E and the Firecracker.

       Files Required:
       POVDOC.LZH - The documentation for POV-Ray
       POVSCN.LZH - The example scene files for POV-Ray
       POVAMI.LZH - Executable and docs for Commodore Amiga

       Optional Files:
       The source is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided for the
       curious and adventurous

       POVSRC.LZH - The C source code for POV-Ray


    For UNIX & Others:
    ------------------
       Required: A C compiler for your computer and some knowledge
                 of how to use it.

       Files required:
       POVDOC.TAR - The documentation for POV-Ray
       POVSCN.TAR - The example scene files for POV-Ray
       POVSRC.TAR - The C source code for POV-Ray

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  In the POVDOC archive is the file POVRAY.DOC which contains details
on installing and using POV-Ray. Specific instructions for
using POV-Ray with your computer are included with the executable.

** POV-Ray is copyrighted freeware written by the POV-Team.
** It may be freely distributed subject to the restrictions
** defined in POVLEGAL.DOC found in POVDOC archive.
** 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-Team is a collection of volunteer programmers, designers,
animators and artists meeting via electronic mail on Compuserve's
COMART forum, section 16 Raytracing (COMART is also the home of the
very popular Fractint and its authors the Stone Soup Group.)

  The POV-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

    Drew Wells
    [POV-Team Leader]

    CIS: 73767,1244
    Internet: [email protected]
    AOL: Drew Wells

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      Where to find the POV-Ray files
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Computer Art Forum on CompuServe
      --------------------------------
      POV-Ray headquarters are on CompuServe Comart forum
      Raytracing section 16. We meet there to share info and
      graphics and discuss raytracing, fractals and other kinds of
      computer art. Comart is also the home of the Stone Soup
      Group, developers of Fractint, a popular IBM-PC fractal
      program. Everyone is welcome to join in on the action on CIS
      Comart. Hope to see you there! You can get information on
      joining CompuServe by calling (800)848-8990. CompuServe
      access is also available in Japan, Europe and many other
      countries.

      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 "PCGRAPHICS". This area
      includes the Apple Macintosh executables also.

      Internet
      --------
      The POV-Ray files are also available over Internet by
      anonymous FTP from alfred.ccs.carleton.ca (134.117.1.1).


      You Can Call Me Ray BBS in Chicago
      ----------------------------------
      There is a ray-trace specific BBS in the (708) Area Code
      (Chicago suburbia, United States) for all you Traceaholics
      out there. The phone number of this BBS is (708)
      358-5611.Bill Minus is the sysop and Aaron Collins is
      co-sysop of that board, and it's filled with interesting
      stuff.


      The Graphics Alternative BBS in Oakland
      ---------------------------------------
      For those on the West coast, you may want to find the
      POV-Ray files on The Graphics Alternative BBS at (510)
      524-2780. It's a great graphics BBS run by Adam Schiffman.

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