Bob Hughes wrote:
> 
>>The transmission of light is nothing that makes sense to simulate in 
>>POV-Ray since it has no effect on the image POV-Ray renders (light itself 
>>isn't visible).  Therefore using emitting media for the glow and placing a 
>>spotlight at the end is the way to go.
> 
> 
> I don't think I can debate you on that, especially since I'm not sure what 
> you meant by "no effect on the image", but never say never.

Sure.  What i meant is that what you see of an optical fibre is the 
light coming out at the end and the light scattered in the fibre.  You 
don't see the actual light transmitted.

> As I might have said elsewhere already, I was once able to get a simulated 
> fiber optic cable made in POV and at least partially succeeded (maybe). It 
> was done by using photons and reflection on the inside of an S-shaped 
> sphere_sweep. I think it is total internal reflection effect, I believe, 
> that is the operative factor IRL.

True optical fibres used for technical applications (data transmission) 
have a non-constant IOR - light travels on  curved path in those.  What 
you do with media and photons might actually lead to useable results in 
a small test case but will be very slow and requires insane 
max_trace_level for a larger setup.

Christoph

-- 
POV-Ray tutorials, include files, Landscape of the week:
http://www.tu-bs.de/~y0013390/ (Last updated 24 Jul. 2005)
MegaPOV with mechanics simulation: http://megapov.inetart.net/

Post a reply to this message