> This is seriously awesome, thanks so much for your help.
>
> I have a couple more questions.
>
> The light isn't bouncing up into the box as much as I would expect. I increased
> max_trace_level, but that didn't change anything. I also tried changing the
> position of the light_source, but that didn't change things much either. Is it a
> matter of increasing light intensity? Suggestions?
>
> Is there a way to make the box transparent, but have the light rays stay in the
> box? I've been moving the camera inside the box to see reflections, but maybe it
> would be easier to leave it outside the box and make the box see-through and the
> light a different color, such as red.
>
> Rhonda
>
>
>
>
>

The intensity decrease after each reflections. After a few, it can 
become to faint to be seen compared to some other elements. If the 
intensity goes under adc_bailout, the tracing just stop and return the 
value so far.

max_trace_level default to 5. In scenes like yours, with mostly 
reflective surfaces, it should be increased. max_trace_level 50 is 
reasonable, it's maximum is 255.

A possibility would be to slightly increase the value for the minimum 
reflection in your finish.

You could try reducing the adc_baulout value in the global_settings. It 
default to 1/256. It can be set lower than that, along with increasing 
max_trace_level. Be warned that it will significantly increase the 
rendering time.

Another viable option could be to use radiosity. It calculate the difuse 
interreflection. It may, or may not, improve things in your case.
Radiosity does take more time.
As a first try, use:

global_settings{ radiosity{} }
or, add:

radiosity{}
in your actual global_settings block.

This turn on radiosity calculation using all the default values.



Alain

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