Reference Talk:Introduction - Revision history

Jholsenback: some additional rework

2012-04-21T17:24:52Z

some additional rework

Jholsenback: rework narrative

2012-04-12T14:57:48Z

rework narrative

Jholsenback: outline recent changes

2012-04-11T17:17:34Z

outline recent changes

Jholsenback: additions and changes

2012-04-11T17:10:40Z

additions and changes

Show changes

Jholsenback: technical correction

2012-04-06T13:52:22Z

technical correction

Jholsenback: typo

2012-04-05T18:31:38Z

typo

Jholsenback: additional layout changes

2012-04-05T17:32:47Z

additional layout changes

New page

==Changes==
The following are changes that I'd like to see made to the new layout
<ol>
<li>Move the Language Basics sub-section into it's own file, add a brief passage and a table of contents for the sub-sections that follow.</li>
<li>Create a new file The Scene (maybe there's a better name) to serve as a table of contents for the sub-sections in this group.</li>
<li>Create a new file Atmospheric Effects and merge those single files as sub-sections of the proposed single file.</li>
<li>Create a new file Lighting Types to serve as an introduction and table of contents for the sub-sections that follow.</li>
<li>Moved the Patterns section up one in the order, so that it's after Textures.</li>
<li>Create a new file Include Files and add an introduction, also add the sub-sections Main Files, Old Files, and Older Files to that file. Add links to each include file.</li>
<li>Did not add the Qwick Reference maybe we should consider dropping that section.</li>
</ol>

==Contents==
#[[Reference:Command-Line and INI-File Options|Command-line Options]]
##[[Reference:Animation Options|Animation Options]]
##[[Reference:General Output Options|General Output Options]]
##[[Reference:Display Output Options|Display Output Options]]
##[[Reference:File Output Options|File Output Options]]
##[[Reference:Scene Parsing Options|Scene Parsing Options]]
##[[Reference:Shell Command Options|Shell-out to Operating System]]
##[[Reference:Text Output Options|Text Output]]
##[[Reference:Tracing Options|Tracing Options]]
#[[Reference:Scene Description Language|Scene Description Language]]
##[[Reference:Language Basics|Language Basics]]
###[[Reference:Keywords|Keywords]]
###[[Reference:Identifiers|Identifiers]]
###[[Reference:Comments|Comments]]
###[[Reference:Numeric Expressions|Numeric Expressions]]
###[[Reference:Vector Expressions|Vector Expressions]]
###[[Reference:Color Expressions|Color Expressions]]
###[[Reference:Function|User-Defined Functions]]
###[[Reference:Strings|Strings]]
###[[Reference:Array|Arrays]]
###[[Reference:Spline|Splines]]
##[[Reference:Language Directives|Language Directives]]
###[[Reference:Include Directive|Include Directive]]
###[[Reference:Declare and Local Directives|Declare and Local Directives]]
###[[Reference:File I/O Directives|File I/O Directives]]
###[[Reference:Default Directive|Default Directive]]
###[[Reference:Version Directive|Version Directive]]
###[[Reference:Conditional Directives|Conditional Directives]]
###[[Reference:User Message Directives|User Message Directives]]
###[[Reference:User Defined Macros|User Defined Macros]]
#[[Reference:The Scene|The Scene]]
##[[Reference:Global Settings|Global Settings]]
##[[Reference:Camera|Camera]]
##[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects|Atmospheric Effects]]
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Atmospheric Media|Atmospheric Media]]
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Background|Background]]
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Fog|Fog]]
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Sky Sphere|Sky Sphere]]
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Rainbow|Rainbow]]
#[[Reference:Lighting Types|Lighting Types]]
##[[Reference:Light Source|Light Sources]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Point Lights|Point Lights]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Spotlights|Spotlights]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Cylindrical Lights|Cylindrical Lights]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Parallel Lights|Parallel Lights]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Area Lights|Area Lights]]
##[[Reference:Light Group|Light Groups]]
##[[Reference:Radiosity|Radiosity]]
##[[Reference:Photons|Photons]]
#[[Reference:Object|Objects]]
##[[Reference:Object#Finite Solid Primitives|Finite Solid Primitives]]
###[[Reference:Blob|Blob]]
###[[Reference:Box|Box]]
###[[Reference:Cone|Cone]]
###[[Reference:Cylinder|Cylinder]]
###[[Reference:Height Field|Height Field]]
###[[Reference:Isosurface|Isosurface]]
###[[Reference:Julia Fractal|Julia Fractal]]
###[[Reference:Lathe|Lathe]]
###[[Reference:Ovus|Ovus]]
###[[Reference:Parametric|Parametric]]
###[[Reference:Prism|Prism]]
###[[Reference:Sphere|Sphere]]
###[[Reference:Sphere Sweep|Sphere Sweep]]
###[[Reference:Superellipsoid|Superquadric Ellipsoid]]
###[[Reference:Sor|Surface of Revolution]]
###[[Reference:Text|Text]]
###[[Reference:Torus|Torus]]
##[[Reference:Object#Finite Patch Primitives|Finite Patch Primitives]]
###[[Reference:Bicubic Patch|Bicubic Patch]]
###[[Reference:Disc|Disc]]
###[[Reference:Mesh|Mesh]]
###[[Reference:Mesh2|Mesh2]]
###[[Reference:Polygon|Polygon]]
###[[Reference:Triangle|Triangle]]
###[[Reference:Smooth Triangle|Smooth Triangle]]
##[[Reference:Object#Infinite Solid Primitives|Infinite Solid Primitives]]
###[[Reference:Plane|Plane]]
###[[Reference:Poly|Poly]]
###[[Reference:Cubic|Cubic]]
###[[Reference:Quartic|Quartic]]
###[[Reference:Polynomial|Polynomial]]
###[[Reference:Quadric|Quadric]]
##[[Reference:Object#Constructive Solid Geometry|Constructive Solid Geometry]]
###[[Reference:Object#Inside and Outside|Inside and Outside]]
###[[Reference:Union|Union]]
###[[Reference:Intersection|Intersection]]
###[[Reference:Difference|Difference]]
###[[Reference:Merge|Merge]]
##[[Reference:Object#Object Modifiers|Object Modifiers]]
#[[Reference:Texture|Textures]]
##[[Reference:Pigment|Pigment]]
##[[Reference:Normal|Normal]]
##[[Reference:Finish|Finish]]
##[[Reference:Halo|Halo]]
##[[Reference:Patterned Textures|Patterned Textures]]
##[[Reference:Layered Textures|Layered Textures]]
##[[Reference:UV Mapping|UV Mapping]]
##[[Reference:Triangle Texture Interpolation|Triangle Texture Interpolation]]
##[[Reference:Interior Texture|Interior Texture]]
##[[Reference:Cutaway Textures|Cutaway Textures]]
#[[Reference:Pattern|Patterns]]
##[[Reference:Pattern#General Patterns|General Patterns]]
###[[Reference:Agate Pattern|Agate]]
###[[Reference:Boxed Pattern|Boxed]]
###[[Reference:Bozo Pattern|Bozo]]
###[[Reference:Brick Pattern|Brick]]
###[[Reference:Bumps Pattern|Bumps]]
###[[Reference:Cubic Pattern|Cubic]]
###[[Reference:Cylindrical Pattern|Cylindrical]]
###[[Reference:Density_File Pattern|Density_File]]
###[[Reference:Dents Pattern|Dents]]
###[[Reference:Facets Pattern|Facets]]
###[[Reference:Fractal Pattern|Fractal Patterns]]
###[[Reference:Function Pattern|Function as pattern]]
###[[Reference:Gradient Pattern|Gradient]]
###[[Reference:Granite Pattern|Granite]]
###[[Reference:Hexagon Pattern|Hexagon]]
###[[Reference:Leopard Pattern|Leopard]]
###[[Reference:Marble Pattern|Marble]]
###[[Reference:Onion Pattern|Onion]]
###[[Reference:Pavement Pattern|Pavement]]
###[[Reference:Pigment Pattern|Pigment Pattern]]
###[[Reference:Planar Pattern|Planar]]
###[[Reference:Quilted Pattern|Quilted]]
###[[Reference:Radial Pattern|Radial]]
###[[Reference:Ripples Pattern|Ripples]]
###[[Reference:Spherical Pattern|Spherical]]
###[[Reference:Spiral1 Pattern|Spiral1]]
###[[Reference:Spiral2 Pattern|Spiral2]]
###[[Reference:Spotted Pattern|Spotted]]
###[[Reference:Square Pattern|Square]]
###[[Reference:Tiling Pattern|Tiling]]
###[[Reference:Waves Pattern|Waves]]
###[[Reference:Wood Pattern|Wood]]
###[[Reference:Wrinkles Pattern|Wrinkles]]
##[[Reference:Pattern#Discontinuous Patterns|Discontinuous Patterns]]
###[[Reference:Cells Pattern|Cells]]
###[[Reference:Checker Pattern|Checker]]
###[[Reference:Crackle Pattern|Crackle Patterns]]
###[[Reference:Object Pattern|Object Pattern]]
###[[Reference:Triangular Pattern|Triangular]]
##[[Reference:Pattern#Normal-Dependent Patterns|Normal-Dependent Patterns]]
###[[Reference:Aoi Pattern|Aoi]]
###[[Reference:Slope Pattern|Slope]]
##[[Reference:Pattern#Special Patterns|Special Patterns]]
###[[Reference:Average Pattern|Average]]
###[[Reference:Image Pattern|Image Pattern]]
##[[Reference:Pattern#Pattern Modifiers|Pattern Modifiers]]
#[[Reference:Media|Media]]
##[[Reference:Media#Media Types|Media Types]]
##[[Reference:Media#Sampling Parameters & Methods|Sampling Parameters & Methods]]
##[[Reference:Media#Density|Density]]
#[[Reference:Include Files|Include Files]]
##[[Reference:Include Files#Main Files|Main Files]]
###[[Reference:Arrays.inc|arrays.inc]]
###[[Reference:Chars.inc|chars.inc]]
###[[Reference:Colors.inc|colors.inc]]
###[[Reference:Consts.inc|consts.inc]]
###[[Reference:Debug.inc|debug.inc]]
###[[Reference:Finish.inc|finish.inc]]
###[[Reference:Functions.inc|functions.inc]]
###[[Reference:Glass.inc|glass.inc, glass_old.inc]]
###[[Reference:Math.inc|math.inc]]
###[[Reference:Metals.inc|metals.inc]]
###[[Reference:Golds.inc|golds.inc]]
###[[Reference:Rand.inc|rand.inc]]
###[[Reference:Shapes.inc|shapes.inc]]
###[[Reference:Shapes2.inc|shapes2.inc]]
###[[Reference:Shapesq.inc|shapesq.inc]]
###[[Reference:Skies.inc|skies.inc]]
###[[Reference:Stars.inc|stars.inc]]
###[[Reference:Stones.inc|stones.inc]]
###[[Reference:Stdinc.inc|stdinc.inc]]
###[[Reference:Strings.inc|strings.inc]]
###[[Reference:Textures.inc|textures.inc]]
###[[Reference:Transforms.inc|transforms.inc]]
###[[Reference:Woodmaps.inc|woodmaps.inc]]
###[[Reference:Woods.inc|woods.inc]]
###[[Reference:Logo.inc|logo.inc]]
###[[Reference:Rad_def.inc|rad_def.inc]]
###[[Reference:Screen.inc|screen.inc]]
###[[Reference:Sunpos.inc|sunpos.inc]]
##[[Reference:Include Files#Old Files|Old Files]]
###[[Reference:Glass_old.inc|glass_old.inc]]
###[[Reference:Shapes_old.inc|shapes_old.inc]]
###[[Reference:Stage1.inc|stage1.inc]]
###[[Reference:Stdcam.inc|stdcam.inc]]
###[[Reference:Stones1.inc|stones1.inc]]
###[[Reference:Stones2.inc|stones2.inc]]
##[[Reference:Include Files#Other Files|Older Files]]
###[[Reference:Font Files|font files (*.ttf)]]
###[[Reference:Color_Map Files|color_map files (*.map)]]
###[[Reference:Image Files|image files (*.png, *.pot, *.df3)]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 __NOTOC__
 <!--<sectiondesc desc=<"reference introduction">--->
-<p>The <em>Reference</em> section documentation applies to all platforms to which this version of POV-Ray is ported. The platform-specific documentation is available for each platform separately. Excluding this introduction, the reference section is divided into three main parts:</p>
+<p>This is the <em>Reference</em> section, and it applies to all platforms for which this version of POV-Ray has been ported. The platform-specific documentation is available in a separate section. Excluding this introduction, the reference section is divided into three main parts:</p>
 <ol>
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 </ol>
-<p>New users may find it more convenient to begin with the [[Documentation:Tutorial Table of Contents|Tutorial]] section, followed by the platform-specific documentation, to become more familiar your versions platform-specific features.</p>
+<p>New users may find it more convenient to begin with the [[Documentation:Tutorial Table of Contents|Tutorial]] section, followed by the platform-specific documentation, in order to become more familiar your versions platform-specific features. Additional notes about this documentation are as follows:</p>
 <ul>
    <li>The Windows version of the documentation is accessible using the POV-Ray program's <em>Help</em> menu or by pressing the F1 key while in the program.</li>
    <li>The Mac version of the documentation is also available via the <em>Help</em> menu and for viewing with a web browser.  See the <em>POV-Ray MacOS Read Me</em> for more details.</li>
    <li>The Unix/Linux version of the documentation is available in <em>html only</em> and by default is typically found in <code>/usr/local/share/povray-3.?/html</code></li>
 </ul>
 ==Contents==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-==Changes==
+__NOTOC__
-<p>The following are changes that I'd like to see made to the new layout</p>
+<!--<sectiondesc desc=<"reference introduction">--->
 <ol>
-   <li>Move the <em>Language Basics</em> sub-section into it's own file, add a brief passage and a table of contents for the sub-sections that follow.</li>
+   <li>[[Reference:Command-Line and INI-File Options|Command-line Options]]</li>
-   <li>Create a new file <em>The Scene</em> (maybe there's a better name) to serve as a table of contents for the sub-sections in this group.</li>
+   <li>[[Reference:Scene Description Language|Scene Description Language]]</li>
-   <li>Create a new file <em>Atmospheric Effects</em> and merge those single files as sub-sections of the proposed single file.</li>
+   <li>[[Reference:Scene Description File|Scene Description File]]</li>
 </ol>
-<p>Additional changes listed here:</p>
+<p>New users may find it more convenient to begin with the [[Documentation:Tutorial Table of Contents|Tutorial]] section, followed by the platform-specific documentation, to become more familiar your versions platform-specific features.</p>
-* moved hexagon and square patterns to the <em>Discontinuous Patterns</em> sub-section --[[User:Jholsenback|jholsenback]] 13:52, 6 April 2012 (UTC)
-* changes outlined below: --[[User:Jholsenback|jholsenback]] 17:17, 11 April 2012 (UTC)
+<ul>
-# expanded the table of contents based on feedback
+  <li>The Windows version of the documentation is accessible using the POV-Ray program's <em>Help</em> menu or by pressing the F1 key while in the program.</li>
-# three major sections now
+  <li>The Mac version of the documentation is also available via the <em>Help</em> menu and for viewing with a web browser.  See the <em>POV-Ray MacOS Read Me</em> for more details.</li>
-# added transformations
+  <li>The Unix/Linux version of the documentation is available in <em>html only</em> and by default is typically found in <code>/usr/local/share/povray-3.?/html</code></li>
-# minor shuffling in topic order
+</ul>
 ==Contents==
@@ Line 243: / Line 243: @@
 ####[[Reference:Color_Map Files|color_map files (*.map)]]
 ####[[Reference:Image Files|image files (*.png, *.pot, *.df3)]]

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 <p>Additional changes listed here:</p>
 * moved hexagon and square patterns to the <em>Discontinuous Patterns</em> sub-section --[[User:Jholsenback|jholsenback]] 13:52, 6 April 2012 (UTC)
 ==Contents==

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
    <li>Moved the <em>Patterns</em> section up one in the order, so that it's after <em>Textures</em>.</li>
    <li>Create a new file <em>Include Files</em> and add an introduction, also add the sub-sections <em>Main Files</em>, <em>Old Files</em>, and <em>Older Files</em> to that file. Add links to each include file.</li>
-   <li>Did <em>not</em> add the <em>Qwick Reference</em> maybe we should consider dropping that section.</li>
+   <li>Did <em>not</em> add the <em>Quick Reference</em> maybe we should consider dropping that section.</li>
 </ol>

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
    <li>Did <em>not</em> add the <em>Quick Reference</em> maybe we should consider dropping that section.</li>
 </ol>
 ==Contents==
@@ Line 129: / Line 132: @@
 ###[[Reference:Gradient Pattern|Gradient]]
 ###[[Reference:Granite Pattern|Granite]]
 ###[[Reference:Leopard Pattern|Leopard]]
 ###[[Reference:Marble Pattern|Marble]]
@@ Line 143: / Line 145: @@
 ###[[Reference:Spiral2 Pattern|Spiral2]]
 ###[[Reference:Spotted Pattern|Spotted]]
 ###[[Reference:Tiling Pattern|Tiling]]
 ###[[Reference:Waves Pattern|Waves]]
@@ Line 152: / Line 153: @@
 ###[[Reference:Checker Pattern|Checker]]
 ###[[Reference:Crackle Pattern|Crackle Patterns]]
 ###[[Reference:Object Pattern|Object Pattern]]
 ###[[Reference:Triangular Pattern|Triangular]]
 ##[[Reference:Pattern#Normal-Dependent Patterns|Normal-Dependent Patterns]]