Yes, sPatch is good for diving into shapes, as long as you get the
general idea of such programs to begin with.
As for the other things said, I kind of started out making graphics
through the old basic language back in the late 80's then bought a
simple CAD program that only drew in wire frame, soon after my first
modelor/renderer/raytracer, then Polyray and finally POV-Ray by 1994. I
kind of hated the modelor (CAD) type thing is probably why I delved back
into the realm of scripting it out instead. As Ken said, it depends
greatly on the individual, probably the most important factor there is.
I've managed to get one "modeled" piece I made in sPatch into a
"textual" model out of both need and curiosity. Reason I don't use the
modellors is that I dislike wireframe and object manipulation in a
GUI-based program. Preference, skill factor, makes a big difference.

Bet Ken had some good links there too.


Ken wrote:
> 
> Matt Morris wrote:
> >
> > As a matter of fact, that did help. I guess getting good at POV isn't just
> > about reading the
> > manual a few times; it takes lots of practice. I assume being able to place
> > objects on the screen
> > with just script takes developed skill, but most of all patience. Here's a
> > question for the advanced
> > users: what other programs do you use? (to make bezier patches, advanced
> > shapes, etc..) And
> > another thing, how many of you true POVies are artists away from the computer?
> > Is that something
> > that really helps?
> 
> For height fields I suggest Leveller and for bezier patches I suggest
> a program called SPatch. Rather than listing them all here I'll send
> you my bookmarks of all the pov related utility programs I have links
> for. This way you can evaluate for yourself their worth and if you
> care to download them.
> 
> I am not an artist other than that which is created with Pov. There
> are a small few that frequent the groups here that are though. I would
> guess the majority are hobbyist. Most professionals go for the high
> end commercial packages.
> 
> --
> Ken Tyler
> 
> tyl### [at] pacbellnet

-- 
 omniVERSE: beyond the universe
  http://members.aol.com/inversez/POVring.htm
=Bob

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