Difference between revisions of "Reference Talk:Introduction"

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==Changes==
+
__NOTOC__
<p>The following are changes that I'd like to see made to the new layout</p>
+
<!--<sectiondesc desc=<"reference introduction">--->
 +
<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>
 
<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>
  <li>Create a new file <em>Lighting Types</em> to serve as an introduction and table of contents for the sub-sections that follow.</li>
 
  <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>
 
 
</ol>
 
</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, 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>
 +
  <li>See the section [[Reference:Notation and Basic Assumptions|Notation and Basic Assumptions]] for more about the notation used throughout this documentation.</li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
==Contents==
 
==Contents==
Line 42: Line 48:
 
###[[Reference:User Message Directives|User Message Directives]]
 
###[[Reference:User Message Directives|User Message Directives]]
 
###[[Reference:User Defined Macros|User Defined Macros]]
 
###[[Reference:User Defined Macros|User Defined Macros]]
#<strong>[[Reference:The Scene|The Scene]]</strong>
+
#<strong>[[Reference:Scene Description File|Scene Description File]]</strong>
 
##[[Reference:Global Settings|Global Settings]]
 
##[[Reference:Global Settings|Global Settings]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#ADC_Bailout|adc_bailout]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#Ambient_Light|ambient_light]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#Assumed_Gamma|assumed_gama]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#HF_Gray_16|hf_gray_16]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#Irid_Wavelength|irid_wavelength]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#Charset|charset]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#Max_Trace_Level|max_trace_level]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#Mm_Per_Unit|mm_per_unit]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#Number_Of_Waves|number_of_waves]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#Noise_generator|noise_generator]]
 +
###[[Reference:Global Settings#Subsurface|subsurface]]
 
##[[Reference:Camera|Camera]]
 
##[[Reference:Camera|Camera]]
 +
###[[Reference:Camera#Placing the Camera|Placing the Camera]]
 +
###[[Reference:Camera#Types of Projection|Types of Projections]]
 +
###[[Reference:Camera#Placing the Camera|Placing the Camera]]
 +
###[[Reference:Camera#Focal Blur|Focal Blur]]
 +
###[[Reference:Camera#Camera Ray Perturbation|Camera Ray Perturbation]]
 +
###[[Reference:Camera#Camera Identifiers|Camera Identifiers]]
 +
##[[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:Transformations|Transformations]]
 +
###[[Reference:Transformations#Translate|translate]]
 +
###[[Reference:Transformations#Scale|scale]]
 +
###[[Reference:Transformations#Rotate|rotate]]
 +
###[[Reference:Transformations#Matrix|matrix]]
 +
##[[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:Finish#Ambient|Ambient]]
 +
####[[Reference:Finish#Emission|Emission]]
 +
####[[Reference:Finish#Diffuse Reflection Items|Diffuse Reflection Items]]
 +
####[[Reference:Finish#Highlights|Highlights]]
 +
####[[Reference:Finish#Specular Reflection|Specular Reflection]]
 +
####[[Reference:Finish#Conserve Energy for Reflection|Conserve Energy for Reflection]]
 +
####[[Reference:Finish#Iridescence|Iridescence]]
 +
###[[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:Atmospheric Effects|Atmospheric Effects]]
 
##[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects|Atmospheric Effects]]
 
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Atmospheric Media|Atmospheric Media]]
 
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Atmospheric Media|Atmospheric Media]]
Line 51: Line 196:
 
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Sky Sphere|Sky Sphere]]
 
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Sky Sphere|Sky Sphere]]
 
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Rainbow|Rainbow]]
 
###[[Reference:Atmospheric Effects#Rainbow|Rainbow]]
#<strong>[[Reference:Lighting Types|Lighting Types]]</strong>
+
##[[Reference:Media|Media]]
##[[Reference:Light Source|Light Sources]]
+
###[[Reference:Media#Media Types|Media Types]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Point Lights|Point Lights]]
+
###[[Reference:Media#Sampling Parameters & Methods|Sampling Parameters & Methods]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Spotlights|Spotlights]]
+
###[[Reference:Media#Density|Density]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Cylindrical Lights|Cylindrical Lights]]
+
##[[Reference:Include Files|Include Files]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Parallel Lights|Parallel Lights]]
+
###[[Reference:Include Files#Main Files|Main Files]]
###[[Reference:Light Source#Area Lights|Area Lights]]
+
####[[Reference:Arrays.inc|arrays.inc]]
##[[Reference:Light Group|Light Groups]]
+
####[[Reference:Chars.inc|chars.inc]]
##[[Reference:Radiosity|Radiosity]]
+
####[[Reference:Colors.inc|colors.inc]]
##[[Reference:Photons|Photons]]
+
####[[Reference:Consts.inc|consts.inc]]
#<strong>[[Reference:Object|Objects]]</strong>
+
####[[Reference:Debug.inc|debug.inc]]
##[[Reference:Object#Finite Solid Primitives|Finite Solid Primitives]]
+
####[[Reference:Finish.inc|finish.inc]]
###[[Reference:Blob|Blob]]
+
####[[Reference:Functions.inc|functions.inc]]
###[[Reference:Box|Box]]
+
####[[Reference:Glass.inc|glass.inc, glass_old.inc]]
###[[Reference:Cone|Cone]]
+
####[[Reference:Math.inc|math.inc]]
###[[Reference:Cylinder|Cylinder]]
+
####[[Reference:Metals.inc|metals.inc]]
###[[Reference:Height Field|Height Field]]
+
####[[Reference:Golds.inc|golds.inc]]
###[[Reference:Isosurface|Isosurface]]
+
####[[Reference:Rand.inc|rand.inc]]
###[[Reference:Julia Fractal|Julia Fractal]]
+
####[[Reference:Shapes.inc|shapes.inc]]
###[[Reference:Lathe|Lathe]]
+
####[[Reference:Shapes2.inc|shapes2.inc]]
###[[Reference:Ovus|Ovus]]
+
####[[Reference:Shapesq.inc|shapesq.inc]]
###[[Reference:Parametric|Parametric]]
+
####[[Reference:Skies.inc|skies.inc]]
###[[Reference:Prism|Prism]]
+
####[[Reference:Stars.inc|stars.inc]]
###[[Reference:Sphere|Sphere]]
+
####[[Reference:Stones.inc|stones.inc]]
###[[Reference:Sphere Sweep|Sphere Sweep]]
+
####[[Reference:Stdinc.inc|stdinc.inc]]
###[[Reference:Superellipsoid|Superquadric Ellipsoid]]
+
####[[Reference:Strings.inc|strings.inc]]
###[[Reference:Sor|Surface of Revolution]]
+
####[[Reference:Textures.inc|textures.inc]]
###[[Reference:Text|Text]]
+
####[[Reference:Transforms.inc|transforms.inc]]
###[[Reference:Torus|Torus]]
+
####[[Reference:Woodmaps.inc|woodmaps.inc]]
##[[Reference:Object#Finite Patch Primitives|Finite Patch Primitives]]
+
####[[Reference:Woods.inc|woods.inc]]
###[[Reference:Bicubic Patch|Bicubic Patch]]
+
####[[Reference:Logo.inc|logo.inc]]
###[[Reference:Disc|Disc]]
+
####[[Reference:Rad_def.inc|rad_def.inc]]
###[[Reference:Mesh|Mesh]]
+
####[[Reference:Screen.inc|screen.inc]]
###[[Reference:Mesh2|Mesh2]]
+
####[[Reference:Sunpos.inc|sunpos.inc]]
###[[Reference:Polygon|Polygon]]
+
###[[Reference:Include Files#Old Files|Old Files]]
###[[Reference:Triangle|Triangle]]
+
####[[Reference:Glass_old.inc|glass_old.inc]]
###[[Reference:Smooth Triangle|Smooth Triangle]]
+
####[[Reference:Shapes_old.inc|shapes_old.inc]]
##[[Reference:Object#Infinite Solid Primitives|Infinite Solid Primitives]]
+
####[[Reference:Stage1.inc|stage1.inc]]
###[[Reference:Plane|Plane]]
+
####[[Reference:Stdcam.inc|stdcam.inc]]
###[[Reference:Poly|Poly]]
+
####[[Reference:Stones1.inc|stones1.inc]]
###[[Reference:Cubic|Cubic]]
+
####[[Reference:Stones2.inc|stones2.inc]]
###[[Reference:Quartic|Quartic]]
+
###[[Reference:Include Files#Other Files|Older Files]]
###[[Reference:Polynomial|Polynomial]]
+
####[[Reference:Font Files|font files (*.ttf)]]
###[[Reference:Quadric|Quadric]]
+
####[[Reference:Color_Map Files|color_map files (*.map)]]
##[[Reference:Object#Constructive Solid Geometry|Constructive Solid Geometry]]
+
####[[Reference:Image Files|image files (*.png, *.pot, *.df3)]]
###[[Reference:Object#Inside and Outside|Inside and Outside]]
+
 
###[[Reference:Union|Union]]
+
==Changes==
###[[Reference:Intersection|Intersection]]
+
<p>The following are changes that I'd like to see made to the new layout</p>
###[[Reference:Difference|Difference]]
+
<ol>
###[[Reference:Merge|Merge]]
+
  <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>
##[[Reference:Object#Object Modifiers|Object Modifiers]]
+
  <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>
#<strong>[[Reference:Texture|Textures]]</strong>
+
  <li>Create a new file <em>Atmospheric Effects</em> and merge those single files as sub-sections of the proposed single file.</li>
##[[Reference:Pigment|Pigment]]
+
  <li>Create a new file <em>Lighting Types</em> to serve as an introduction and table of contents for the sub-sections that follow.</li>
##[[Reference:Normal|Normal]]
+
  <li>Moved the <em>Patterns</em> section up one in the order, so that it's after <em>Textures</em>.</li>
##[[Reference:Finish|Finish]]
+
  <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>
##[[Reference:Halo|Halo]]
+
  <li>Did <em>not</em> add the <em>Quick Reference</em> maybe we should consider dropping that section.</li>
##[[Reference:Patterned Textures|Patterned Textures]]
+
</ol>
##[[Reference:Layered Textures|Layered Textures]]
+
 
##[[Reference:UV Mapping|UV Mapping]]
+
<p>Additional changes listed here:</p>
##[[Reference:Triangle Texture Interpolation|Triangle Texture Interpolation]]
+
* moved hexagon and square patterns to the <em>Discontinuous Patterns</em> sub-section --[[User:Jholsenback|jholsenback]] 13:52, 6 April 2012 (UTC)
##[[Reference:Interior Texture|Interior Texture]]
+
* changes outlined below: --[[User:Jholsenback|jholsenback]] 17:17, 11 April 2012 (UTC)
##[[Reference:Cutaway Textures|Cutaway Textures]]
+
# expanded the table of contents based on feedback
#<strong>[[Reference:Pattern|Patterns]]</strong>
+
# three major sections now
##[[Reference:Pattern#General Patterns|General Patterns]]
+
# added transformations
###[[Reference:Agate Pattern|Agate]]
+
# minor shuffling in topic order
###[[Reference:Boxed Pattern|Boxed]]
+
* added reworked narrative --[[User:Jholsenback|jholsenback]] 14:57, 12 April 2012 (UTC)
###[[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]]
 
#<strong>[[Reference:Media|Media]]</strong>
 
##[[Reference:Media#Media Types|Media Types]]
 
##[[Reference:Media#Sampling Parameters & Methods|Sampling Parameters & Methods]]
 
##[[Reference:Media#Density|Density]]
 
#<strong>[[Reference:Include Files|Include Files]]</strong>
 
##[[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)]]
 

Latest revision as of 17:24, 21 April 2012

This is the Reference 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:

  1. Command-line Options
  2. Scene Description Language
  3. Scene Description File

New users may find it more convenient to begin with the 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:

  • The Windows version of the documentation is accessible using the POV-Ray program's Help menu or by pressing the F1 key while in the program.
  • The Mac version of the documentation is also available via the Help menu and for viewing with a web browser. See the POV-Ray MacOS Read Me for more details.
  • The Unix/Linux version of the documentation is available in html only and by default is typically found in /usr/local/share/povray-3.?/html
  • See the section Notation and Basic Assumptions for more about the notation used throughout this documentation.

Contents

  1. Command-line Options
    1. Animation Options
    2. General Output Options
    3. Display Output Options
    4. File Output Options
    5. Scene Parsing Options
    6. Shell-out to Operating System
    7. Text Output
    8. Tracing Options
  2. Scene Description Language
    1. Language Basics
      1. Keywords
      2. Identifiers
      3. Comments
      4. Numeric Expressions
      5. Vector Expressions
      6. Color Expressions
      7. User-Defined Functions
      8. Strings
      9. Arrays
      10. Splines
    2. Language Directives
      1. Include Directive
      2. Declare and Local Directives
      3. File I/O Directives
      4. Default Directive
      5. Version Directive
      6. Conditional Directives
      7. User Message Directives
      8. User Defined Macros
  3. Scene Description File
    1. Global Settings
      1. adc_bailout
      2. ambient_light
      3. assumed_gama
      4. hf_gray_16
      5. irid_wavelength
      6. charset
      7. max_trace_level
      8. mm_per_unit
      9. number_of_waves
      10. noise_generator
      11. subsurface
    2. Camera
      1. Placing the Camera
      2. Types of Projections
      3. Placing the Camera
      4. Focal Blur
      5. Camera Ray Perturbation
      6. Camera Identifiers
    3. Lighting Types
      1. Light Sources
        1. Point Lights
        2. Spotlights
        3. Cylindrical Lights
        4. Parallel Lights
        5. Area Lights
      2. Light Groups
      3. Radiosity
      4. Photons
    4. Transformations
      1. translate
      2. scale
      3. rotate
      4. matrix
    5. Objects
      1. Finite Solid Primitives
        1. Blob
        2. Box
        3. Cone
        4. Cylinder
        5. Height Field
        6. Isosurface
        7. Julia Fractal
        8. Lathe
        9. Ovus
        10. Parametric
        11. Prism
        12. Sphere
        13. Sphere Sweep
        14. Superquadric Ellipsoid
        15. Surface of Revolution
        16. Text
        17. Torus
      2. Finite Patch Primitives
        1. Bicubic Patch
        2. Disc
        3. Mesh
        4. Mesh2
        5. Polygon
        6. Triangle
        7. Smooth Triangle
      3. Infinite Solid Primitives
        1. Plane
        2. Poly
        3. Cubic
        4. Quartic
        5. Polynomial
        6. Quadric
      4. Constructive Solid Geometry
        1. Inside and Outside
        2. Union
        3. Intersection
        4. Difference
        5. Merge
      5. Object Modifiers
    6. Textures
      1. Pigment
      2. Normal
      3. Finish
        1. Ambient
        2. Emission
        3. Diffuse Reflection Items
        4. Highlights
        5. Specular Reflection
        6. Conserve Energy for Reflection
        7. Iridescence
      4. Halo
      5. Patterned Textures
      6. Layered Textures
      7. UV Mapping
      8. Triangle Texture Interpolation
      9. Interior Texture
      10. Cutaway Textures
    7. Patterns
      1. General Patterns
        1. Agate
        2. Boxed
        3. Bozo
        4. Brick
        5. Bumps
        6. Cubic
        7. Cylindrical
        8. Density_File
        9. Dents
        10. Facets
        11. Fractal Patterns
        12. Function as pattern
        13. Gradient
        14. Granite
        15. Hexagon
        16. Leopard
        17. Marble
        18. Onion
        19. Pavement
        20. Pigment Pattern
        21. Planar
        22. Quilted
        23. Radial
        24. Ripples
        25. Spherical
        26. Spiral1
        27. Spiral2
        28. Spotted
        29. Square
        30. Tiling
        31. Waves
        32. Wood
        33. Wrinkles
      2. Discontinuous Patterns
        1. Cells
        2. Checker
        3. Crackle Patterns
        4. Object Pattern
        5. Triangular
      3. Normal-Dependent Patterns
        1. Aoi
        2. Slope
      4. Special Patterns
        1. Average
        2. Image Pattern
      5. Pattern Modifiers
    8. Atmospheric Effects
      1. Atmospheric Media
      2. Background
      3. Fog
      4. Sky Sphere
      5. Rainbow
    9. Media
      1. Media Types
      2. Sampling Parameters & Methods
      3. Density
    10. Include Files
      1. Main Files
        1. arrays.inc
        2. chars.inc
        3. colors.inc
        4. consts.inc
        5. debug.inc
        6. finish.inc
        7. functions.inc
        8. glass.inc, glass_old.inc
        9. math.inc
        10. metals.inc
        11. golds.inc
        12. rand.inc
        13. shapes.inc
        14. shapes2.inc
        15. shapesq.inc
        16. skies.inc
        17. stars.inc
        18. stones.inc
        19. stdinc.inc
        20. strings.inc
        21. textures.inc
        22. transforms.inc
        23. woodmaps.inc
        24. woods.inc
        25. logo.inc
        26. rad_def.inc
        27. screen.inc
        28. sunpos.inc
      2. Old Files
        1. glass_old.inc
        2. shapes_old.inc
        3. stage1.inc
        4. stdcam.inc
        5. stones1.inc
        6. stones2.inc
      3. Older Files
        1. font files (*.ttf)
        2. color_map files (*.map)
        3. image files (*.png, *.pot, *.df3)

Changes

The following are changes that I'd like to see made to the new layout

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Create a new file Atmospheric Effects and merge those single files as sub-sections of the proposed single file.
  4. Create a new file Lighting Types to serve as an introduction and table of contents for the sub-sections that follow.
  5. Moved the Patterns section up one in the order, so that it's after Textures.
  6. 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.
  7. Did not add the Quick Reference maybe we should consider dropping that section.

Additional changes listed here:

  • moved hexagon and square patterns to the Discontinuous Patterns sub-section --jholsenback 13:52, 6 April 2012 (UTC)
  • changes outlined below: --jholsenback 17:17, 11 April 2012 (UTC)
  1. expanded the table of contents based on feedback
  2. three major sections now
  3. added transformations
  4. minor shuffling in topic order
  • added reworked narrative --jholsenback 14:57, 12 April 2012 (UTC)