POV-Ray : Newsgroups : povray.general : odd behavior of photon reflection/refraction defaults : Re: odd behavior of photon reflection/refraction defaults Server Time
5 Jan 2026 08:02:01 EST (-0500)
  Re: odd behavior of photon reflection/refraction defaults  
From: William F Pokorny
Date: 3 Jan 2026 11:15:11
Message: <6959408f$1@news.povray.org>
On 1/2/26 20:44, Kenneth wrote:
> My original tests used only one 'target' object, so I tested again using two,
> and you're right: A changed multiplier value does work now (for both targets),
> even when 'count' is used in the global photons block. This little 'switch' in
> behavior is undocumented, as far as I can tell.
> 
> However: Given two (or more) 'target' objects in a scene, the photon behavior
> for each can be unexpectedly different, depending on whether 'count' vs.
> 'spacing' is used:
> 
> A) With 'count':
>       If two targets both use a value of 1.0 (or simply 'on'), the 'count' of
>       photons is*split up evenly* between the two; each target gets half the
>       count. But if one target uses 1.0 and the other 0.2, the 0.2 target*robs*
>       photons from the 1.0 target, with the resulting visual caustic effect on
>       surfaces looking different from each one. But the total photon
>      'count' remains the same.
> 
> B) With 'spacing':
>       Each target is*independent*-- they each respond to their individual
>       spacing-multiplier values, no 'robbing' of photons...which means the total
>       NUMBER of photons can increase, to suit the situation. This would
>       produce a more logical and visually realistic result than 'count'.

Re: (A) Interesting & news to me. I thought the count applied 
independently to each target. Thanks for digging into the behavior!

Bill P.


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