> So, I was wondering whether there are 3D graphics
programmes where I can
> input ascii data files and get a graphical representation.

Povray kind of specialises in it...


> For example, I have an ASCII file with the orbit of
CASSINI spacecraft
> What 3D program can I use to generate a high quality
graphical
> representation of this orbit, according to the ASCII data
file? Can
> POV RAY do this?

Depending on what you mean by this exactly, I'd say the
answer was yes in most cases.

If you have thousands of 2D or 3D co-ordinates representing
the position of Cassini at various times relative to Saturn
then you can simply use them in a sphere_sweep object.  This
will recreate your orbit plot in one single command.  If
this is the case then take care that you have enough data
points to render the inaccuracies introduced by the spline
functions negligible for your purposes.  Saturn can be
recreated fairly trivially by using a texture-mapped sphere
and a suitably textured disc object for the rings.  None of
this would stretch the beginner who has access to the
newusers newsgroup on this server.

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