David Buck wrote:
> SharkD wrote:
>> For testing purposes I would like to plot a large number of objects 
>> using a
>> function. I want the scene to render as quickly as possible. Which 
>> primitive
>> should I choose? What other settings should I enable/disable?
>>
>> -Mike
>>
>>
> 
> Spheres would be the cheapest shape. Obviously turning off reflection 
> and refraction would make it faster. If you also turn off diffuse and 
> turn up ambient there would be no need for shadow calculations and no 
> need for light sources.   You'd get a very boring rendering (just 
> colored circles) but it would render quickly.
> 
> David Buck

A quick way to reduce rendering time is by decreasing the quality setting (+Q from the
command line).

The example in the POV docs of implementing a ray tracer in the SDL uses only spheres,
I believe.  With spheres you can do planes, then with a CSG you can do basically
anything.

Dan

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