From: dbuck@alfred.carleton.ca (Dave Buck)
Subject: POV-Ray 1.0 Released
Followup-To: comp.graphics
Summary: Freely distributable raytracer ready for anonymous FTP.
Keywords: POV-Ray raytrace ftp
Organization: Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 03:56:29 GMT


   The POV-Ray (Persistance of Vision) raytracing program version 1.0
   is now available for anonymous FTP.  POV-Ray is based on my
   DKBTrace program and has been developed with my permission by the
   POV-Team.

   You can get POV-Ray from:

      alfred.ccs.carleton.ca (134.117.1.1)
        directory: pub/pov-ray/POV-Ray1.0

   from overseas, please use (allowing a few days to make the files visible):

      ftp.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de (134.106.1.9)

   This distribution contains the source code, sample scene files,
   documentation, and executables for the IBMPC and the Amiga.
   Macintosh executables will be posted as they become available.
   Executables for UNIX platforms and VAX/VMS are not supplied, but
   instructions are provided for compiling the source on those platforms.

   Over the next few weeks, I will be posting additional scene files
   for POV-Ray 1.0 to alfred.ccs.carleton.ca.

   This software is freely distributable.  If you wish to post the
   files on BBS'es, other FTP sites, or other networks, please see the
   file POVLEGAL.DOC included in all of the distributed archives for
   instructions.

   Questions on POV-Ray may be directed to myself
   (dbuck@ccs.carleton.ca) or to Drew Wells (73767.1244@compuserve.com).

   Enjoy

The remainder of this message is the description of POV-Ray taken
from the POVINF.DOC file provided with the distribution.

                  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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                
     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: 73767.1244@compuserve.com
     AOL: Drew Wells
     
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       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.
       
       

David Buck
dbuck@ccs.carleton.ca

_____________________________________________________________________
| David K. Buck                 | My employer is not responsible for|
| dbuck@ccs.carleton.ca         | my opinions.  In fact, they don't |
| Original author of DKBTrace   | even know I have this account.    |
|_______________________________|___________________________________|
 


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