Actually, I would change the way media currently works. I'd let all objects
(hollow or otherwise) contain media. 'Hollow' (or equivalent) would mean that
other object medias and global media can also enter the object.
The reasoning being that there are solid objects that can contain particulate
media (e.g. air bubbles in an ice cube). Indeed, when the media container is
given a pigment and/or a finish such a solid object is usually the desired
result. Currently POV doesn't provide for such cases.
I would recommend 'container' or 'media_bound' as replacement for 'hollow',
since with the suggested method such objects should mainly be used as invisible
bounding objects for media (smoke, clouds, etc).

Margus

Nieminen Juha wrote:
> 
>   I think it should be a good idea to remove the keyword "hollow" from
> the next version of povray (and replace it with a more descriptive keyword).
> It only causes lots of confusion among new users and it doesn't really
> describe its purpose.
>   This suggestion is not as bad is it may sound. This has already happened:
> the "refraction" keyword has become obsolete. Also all the old halo stuff
> has been removed. Things have been moved from "finish" to "interior".
> Radiosity will probably change in the near future.
>   Removing "hollow" may cause problems at the beginning, but in the long run
> it will do just good.
> 
>   I have to admit that I don't have any good idea for an alternative keyword.
> 
> --
> main(i,_){for(_?--i,main(i+2,"FhhQHFIJD|FQTITFN]zRFHhhTBFHhhTBFysdB"[i]
> ):5;i&&_>1;printf("%s",_-70?_&1?"[]":" ":(_=0,"\n")),_/=2);} /*- Warp -*/

Post a reply to this message