I would like to see a new new keyword in POV-Ray that could be added to all
objects.
It is quite simple, still I don't quite know how to explain it.
If the keyword was spherize [float] the following:
box {
   <-1,-1,-1>, <+1,+1,+1>
   spherize 1.5
}
should make a rounded box from <-2.5,-2.5,-2.5> to <+2.5,+2.5,+2.5>.

It should sort of extrude any shape in a spherical way so things get bigger
and rounded.
It should extend an object so that all points [float] units away from it
should be included in it.

You should be able to add it to individual objects in csg and/or to the
whole csg object as you wish.
As a non-programmer I would guess it could also support flat objects such as
disc, triangle ect... These would become solid rounded prisms.

Hmm, when I think of it, all spherized objects including csg objects
consisting of multiple objects with different textures would probably need a
new single texture. I hope not, but anyway, I think the feature would still
be very usefull.

I hope you understand what I mean.

I see lots of uses for this feature:
A spherized object with white media around the original object would give a
nice glow that fits to the object.
With spherize and the right scaling, any object could be morphed into a
sphere (and from that into another object).
An kind of alternative to blobs? Not the same at all, but...

Would that be possible to implement? What about the textures?

Greetings,

Rune S. Johansen

---
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