I was just thinking that a POV reference would be very helpful.
Specifically, it should list all the parameters and commands in
the POV language, and what the minimum and maximum values are for
each command parameter. It would also list the data type for each
parameter. Ex: turbulence is a float from 0.0 to 1.0. This would
help developers when they are making software to use with POV.

For example, do you need to specify turbulence in order to change
frequency? Turbulence range: 0.0-1.0. 

I got some numbers from the existing POV help file but many
numbers are still sketchy. Some commands have no upper limit. But
when you reach a certain max, does the command have any effect? 

-- 
See my Free stuff page. It compares free website providers, and
lists free internet access providers.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~robertsc/free.htm

Win98 help file loaded with hints and tips, including securing a
Win 95/98 PC in a classroom setting. VB4 help file with lots of
code and hints. 
At http://www.crosswinds.net/~robertsc/

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A quick test with two spheres, one with ambient 1 and the other with
ambient 10, don't appear to be different, but they would affect
radiosity differently.

I don't know of any index that has all of this information, though.

Josh

Chuck Roberts wrote:

> I was just thinking that a POV reference would be very helpful.
> Specifically, it should list all the parameters and commands in
> the POV language, and what the minimum and maximum values are for
> each command parameter. It would also list the data type for each
> parameter. Ex: turbulence is a float from 0.0 to 1.0. This would
> help developers when they are making software to use with POV.
>
> For example, do you need to specify turbulence in order to change
> frequency? Turbulence range: 0.0-1.0.
>
> I got some numbers from the existing POV help file but many
> numbers are still sketchy. Some commands have no upper limit. But
> when you reach a certain max, does the command have any effect?
>
> --
> See my Free stuff page. It compares free website providers, and
> lists free internet access providers.
> http://www.crosswinds.net/~robertsc/free.htm
>
> Win98 help file loaded with hints and tips, including securing a
> Win 95/98 PC in a classroom setting. VB4 help file with lots of
> code and hints.
> At http://www.crosswinds.net/~robertsc/

--
Josh English -- Lexiphanic Lethomaniac
eng### [at] spiritonecom
The POV-Ray Cyclopedia http://www.spiritone.com/~english/cyclopedia/

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"Chuck Roberts" wrote:
> I was just thinking that a POV reference would be very helpful.

Well, it's already in the documentation, just scattered around a little...

A compact reference might be useful...

> Ex: turbulence is a float from 0.0 to 1.0.

No, it is a vector, and each vector component can be any value, negative
values included.

This: turbulence 0.6
Is a shorthand for this: turbulence <0.6, 0.6, 0.6>

This is also a valid turbulence vector: turbulence <11.4, 0, -3>

> For example, do you need to specify turbulence in order
> to change frequency?

No. Generally commands are not dependent on each other if it is not
mentioned in the documentation. If they had to mention everything that is
*not* dependent on each other, there would be no end to it!

> Turbulence range: 0.0-1.0.

Not true.

> I got some numbers from the existing POV help file but many
> numbers are still sketchy. Some commands have no upper limit.

There are really many of the command that have no limits at all. Probably
more than you think (judging from what you said about turbulence).

Greetings,

Rune
--
\ Include files, tutorials, 3D images, raytracing jokes,
/ The POV Desktop Theme, and The POV-Ray Logo Contest can
\ all be found at http://rsj.mobilixnet.dk (updated July 23)
/ Also visit http://www.povrayusers.org

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Actually, exploration of unspecified parameter values has been a source for
a number of images in p.b.i

Jim

"Rune" <run### [at] inamecom> wrote in message
news:39bd3b3d@news.povray.org...
> "Chuck Roberts" wrote:
> > I was just thinking that a POV reference would be very helpful.
>
> Well, it's already in the documentation, just scattered around a little...
>
> A compact reference might be useful...
>
> > Ex: turbulence is a float from 0.0 to 1.0.
>
> No, it is a vector, and each vector component can be any value, negative
> values included.
>
> This: turbulence 0.6
> Is a shorthand for this: turbulence <0.6, 0.6, 0.6>
>
> This is also a valid turbulence vector: turbulence <11.4, 0, -3>
>
> > For example, do you need to specify turbulence in order
> > to change frequency?
>
> No. Generally commands are not dependent on each other if it is not
> mentioned in the documentation. If they had to mention everything that is
> *not* dependent on each other, there would be no end to it!
>
> > Turbulence range: 0.0-1.0.
>
> Not true.
>
> > I got some numbers from the existing POV help file but many
> > numbers are still sketchy. Some commands have no upper limit.
>
> There are really many of the command that have no limits at all. Probably
> more than you think (judging from what you said about turbulence).
>
> Greetings,
>
> Rune
> --
> \ Include files, tutorials, 3D images, raytracing jokes,
> / The POV Desktop Theme, and The POV-Ray Logo Contest can
> \ all be found at http://rsj.mobilixnet.dk (updated July 23)
> / Also visit http://www.povrayusers.org
>
>

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Chuck Roberts wrote in message <39BD305A.FA070C58@alleganisd.org>...
>I was just thinking that a POV reference would be very helpful.
>Specifically, it should list all the parameters and commands in
>the POV language, and what the minimum and maximum values are for
>each command parameter. It would also list the data type for each
>parameter. Ex: turbulence is a float from 0.0 to 1.0. This would
>help developers when they are making software to use with POV.


Most parameters have no limits.  Those that do have limits, the limits are
almost always mentioned in the help file.

Mark

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Thanks. Your comments are what I was looking for. I think I will
make a compact reference and post it here for review.

Rune wrote:
> 
> "Chuck Roberts" wrote:
> > I was just thinking that a POV reference would be very helpful.
> 
> Well, it's already in the documentation, just scattered around a little...
> 
> A compact reference might be useful...
> 
> > Ex: turbulence is a float from 0.0 to 1.0.
> 
> No, it is a vector, and each vector component can be any value, negative
> values included.
> 
> This: turbulence 0.6
> Is a shorthand for this: turbulence <0.6, 0.6, 0.6>
> 
> This is also a valid turbulence vector: turbulence <11.4, 0, -3>
> 
> > For example, do you need to specify turbulence in order
> > to change frequency?
> 
> No. Generally commands are not dependent on each other if it is not
> mentioned in the documentation. If they had to mention everything that is
> *not* dependent on each other, there would be no end to it!
> 
> > Turbulence range: 0.0-1.0.
> 
> Not true.
> 
> > I got some numbers from the existing POV help file but many
> > numbers are still sketchy. Some commands have no upper limit.
> 
> There are really many of the command that have no limits at all. Probably
> more than you think (judging from what you said about turbulence).
> 
> Greetings,
> 
> Rune
> --
> \ Include files, tutorials, 3D images, raytracing jokes,
> / The POV Desktop Theme, and The POV-Ray Logo Contest can
> \ all be found at http://rsj.mobilixnet.dk (updated July 23)
> / Also visit http://www.povrayusers.org

-- 
See my Free stuff page. It compares free website providers, and
lists free internet access providers.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~robertsc/free.htm

Win98 help file loaded with hints and tips, including securing a
Win 95/98 PC in a classroom setting. VB4 help file with lots of
code and hints. 
At http://www.crosswinds.net/~robertsc/

Post a reply to this message

"Chuck Roberts" <cro### [at] alleganisdorg> wrote in message
news:39BD305A.FA070C58@alleganisd.org...
> I was just thinking that a POV reference would be very helpful.
> Specifically, it should list all the parameters and commands in
> the POV language, and what the minimum and maximum values are for
> each command parameter. It would also list the data type for each
> parameter. Ex: turbulence is a float from 0.0 to 1.0. This would
> help developers when they are making software to use with POV.
>
> For example, do you need to specify turbulence in order to change
> frequency? Turbulence range: 0.0-1.0.
>
> I got some numbers from the existing POV help file but many
> numbers are still sketchy. Some commands have no upper limit. But
> when you reach a certain max, does the command have any effect?

Now I have a web site.  Just a simple home page to start with.  My quick
reference document may be found via a link at
http://www.donovansweb.com/~chaffe

Thinking of adding the "default values" to the reference as well.  Might
also be useful.

Enjoy!

rc

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