Le 19.10.2007 09:23, Pfingstei nous fit lire :

> I have already read this book which was very helpful. Thus, the basics are
> clear. But it's hard to get an overview how POV Ray works in general.
> 
> My interest is to follow the processing chain in POV Ray if I start
> rendering a modelled scene by pressing the "Run"-Button.
> 
Then, despite this workgroup, I would suggest studying the code of
the unix/linux "port" of povray (and without any intent to start any
holy war).
I believe it would be simpler to get the first link of the chain:
unix C/C++ programs start with the main() function, and what the
"Run"-button does is similar to the launch of povray for unix.
The windows' overlay might obscure that first step a bit: at least
with the unix code, you know what to grep for!

> -How does POV-Ray decide, which C++ functions have to be carried out if I
> start rendering by pressing the "Run"-Button? Is it possible to follow the
> process chain which is then started in POV Ray?
> 
That can be done with a debugger, at least for mono-threaded version
of povray.
It will be a bit tedious.
Great phases (from memory) are: initialisation of structures, both
internal and from file (all the configuration files), then parsing
of scene file (that parsing creates more data structures connected
to the root-ones) and "finally" (it might take days), the rendering,
done using all the relevant data structures). (a photon phase might
be done before that one, generating more and more data structures).

> -How does POV Ray translate its modeling language to make it understandable
> for the C++ code?

That's what the parsing step is for: translating the SDL into
allocated structure (in 100%, it would create new object (C++
meaning), but so far the code has an heavy inheritance from its C
ancestors).


> -Does anyone know universities or institutes which have experiences with POV
> Ray?

Nope, but it's not my field. May be worth asking in povray.general

-- 
The superior man understands what is right;
the inferior man understands what will sell.
-- Confucius

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