First, I suggest searching this newsgroup for the message "Plans for 1999
(A word from our Sponsors)" posted by Ken Tyler on Dec 30, 1998.  This
is a repost of a message by Chris Young, the POV-Ray team coordinator.
However, I will try to quickly answer some questions.

TonyB wrote:
> 
> Hi. I just wanted to check some things with you all. It's mainly about
> the future of POV-Ray.
> 
> a) Is 3.5 coming out sometime this year?

I've heard this.  Nothing is ever for sure, of course.  ;-)

> b) Will 3.5 be an official SuperPatch, including Mr. Kopp's and others
> stuff?

Probably not the photon mapping.  Other stuff: yes (with further
enhancements).

> c) Will 4.0 be a complete rewrite of POV? If so,

Looks that way.

> d) Will 4.0 be rewritten for
>     1) speed purposes,

probably

>     2) clean-up,

definately

>     3) language changes (C++),

yes.  C++ is the new language (see message mentioned above)

>     4) extended expandability (greater ease in features addition), or

yes

>     5) all of the above and more?
> e) If number 4 applies, then will it incorporate
>     1) an improved use of triangles (spherical heightfields, bend,
> twist, etc.),

I doubt it.  If somebody codes it as a user patch it might.

>     2) this
> http://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/research/rendering/csg-graphs/index.html

Again, if there is enough demand or somebody codes it.

>     3) this http://kolos.math.uni.lodz.pl/~garusk/eng/povadds.htm
>     4) this http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/2143/povafx10.html

Probably not.  This was pre-halo.  And halo was replaced by media.

>     5) support for dxf, 3ds, and other popular formats (objects, not
> scenes),

probably not.  3rd-party converters fit more with the way POV works.
POV 3.5 should have a new mesh syntax which is much smaller than the
current one and will also support UV mapping, so objects from 3ds and
other formats can be converted completely (with textures... you can
already do this with a combination of UVPov and 3ds2pov).

-Nathan

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