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.
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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.
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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:
[email protected]
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Where to find the POV-Ray files
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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.
