On 10-10-2014 15:45, Bald Eagle wrote:
> I might see if I can mesh model something, but I haven't really ever used a mesh
> modeler.  Not looking forward to making all those acanthus leaves and
> scrollwork...

Both methods (sdl or modeller) have their pro and cons. With both you 
need only to model a small part of the object and then copy 
 >mirror>paste that to obtain the final result, with the better 
alternative being: doing those last actions in POV-Ray. . I think that 
sdl would take a little more time to get there but the basic workflow is 
the same. For really complex models mesh2 models are to be preferred to 
sdl models as they can be significantly faster to render. However, that 
is less of an issue nowadays with faster PC's.

> A heightfield might give me something I could image map just to see if I like
> one particular design more than another.  Though a nicely shaded planar image
> map would likely serve the same purpose.

Yes, but you need a good quality height map for your height_field and 
that is a bit more difficult to achieve imo.

>
> Lastly, I was toying with cobbling together an SDL object that would mimic the
> gross contours of the object and then image map over that to quickly give a
> textured object with an actual 3D shape.  Worth doing?

Yes, worth the try if the object is not too prominent in the camera view.

>
> {"No, you dolt - use a modeler, or perform another blood sacrifice and be
> inculcated with the sacred power of POV SDL....")

I would do both, which means /two/ blood sacrifices of course as you 
need the infernal modeller powers too... ;-)

Thomas

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