"jr" <cre### [at] gmailcom> wrote:
> one should be able to do this using an ini file, ie have a script executing a
> scene or frame specific query and write the result(s) to a POV-Ray-style CSV
> file, which would be available in the scene/frame for reading.
>
> <wiki.povray.org/content/Reference:Shell_Command_Options>


I also have a similar workaround.
A PHP script that converts an SQL database into an array.
But it is a detour that is limited in flexibility.

Nevertheless the reference to the shell commands is interesting, I didn't know
them before. I'll take a look, maybe I can use my PHP script a little better
with it.

Thanks,
m

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hi,

"Maetes" <nomail@nomail> wrote:
> "jr" <cre### [at] gmailcom> wrote:
> > ...
> > <wiki.povray.org/content/Reference:Shell_Command_Options>
>
> I also have a similar workaround.
> A PHP script that converts an SQL database into an array.
> But it is a detour that is limited in flexibility.

my guess is that you will be able to use that code with (comparatively) little
adaptation.


> Nevertheless the reference to the shell commands is interesting, I didn't know
> them before.

in which case, likely, the default setting in the global 'povray.conf' will
"trip you up".  you have to set "[Shellout Security]" to 'allowed'.


> I'll take a look, maybe I can use my PHP script a little better
> with it.

:-).



regards, jr.

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On 03/02/2026 14:52, Maetes wrote:
> 
> The keyword for coordinates and data is:
> NGC Catalogue.
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_General_Catalogue

Thanks a lot, I have already taken and tested it, works fine with
AlaSQL, which I am using as a DB engine.

> 
> Images could be a problem, as I am not aware of any valid source that provides
> such data in a uniform format. Maybe it comes down to the fact that you have to
> search for them manually.
> But I can also be wrong, maybe there is something like that in the meantime. If
> I find something, I'll tell you.

Thanks again, I will start an intensive search after completing
application. Filling DB with the content will be an endless
procedure :).

> Chromium on a Raspberry Pi.
> I clicked somewhere and a Box opened with the text "Object" few million times,
> so my Pi was busy to show all text.
> And in dont want to risk it again, don't like crashes.

Sorry for the inconvenience, it was my fault - I forgot
to comment out debug info and all 13979 records of NGC were printed to
browser's page. Now it works fine - no more crashes, I promise :).
-- 
YB

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On 03/02/2026 12:17, Mr wrote:
> This works insanely great on my phone :-) ! (as usual I had to open it there
> because your site is blocked from my corporate proxy :-/ )
> 

Glad to hear it, as I am now taking care about mobile platform(s) too.
In general, it will support desktops, mobiles and VR headsets.

But nothing to see there yet and it's only a template, which I am
turning into a real application very fast. Hope till Saturday it becomes
much more interesting :).
-- 
YB

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On 03/02/2026 15:18, Maetes wrote:
> 
> Now I was curious myself and went on a short search.
> ...

Thanks, very well, I will examine it later, as now I am too busy with
coding. I have also registered in this serious astronomic community:
https://www.cloudynights.com/
and hope for their support.
--
YB

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On 03/02/2026 14:52, Maetes wrote:
> 
> As I said, I haven't looked for it yet, but if I find something, I'll let you
> know. I also made a PHP script with which I can create Povray arrays from
> databases, if helpful. But it takes time, sorry.
> 

The most desired thing for me now is coordinates of constellation
bounds, as I would like to store them as vectors to control separately -
one by one, but not sure if such a thing exists anywhere.
-- 
YB

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On 03/02/2026 18:15, yesbird wrote:
> On 03/02/2026 14:52, Maetes wrote:
>>
>> As I said, I haven't looked for it yet, but if I find something, I'll 
>> let you
>> know. I also made a PHP script with which I can create Povray arrays from
>> databases, if helpful. But it takes time, sorry.
>>
> 
> The most desired thing for me now is coordinates of constellation
> bounds, as I would like to store them as vectors to control separately -
> one by one, but not sure if such a thing exists anywhere.

And I found it:
http://vizier.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/VizieR-3?-source=VI/49/bound_18&-out.max=50&-out.form=HTML%20Table&-out.add=_r&-out.add=_RAJ,_DEJ&-sort=_r&-oc.form=sexa

-- 
YB

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yesbird wrote:
> And I found it:
>
http://vizier.cds.unistra.fr/viz-bin/VizieR-3?-source=VI/49/bound_18&-out.max=50&-out.form=HTML%20Table&-out.add=_r&-
out.add=_RAJ,_DEJ&-sort=_r&-oc.form=sexa
>
> --
> YB

Congrats!
Maybe use bound_20 (top-left in the select-box).
Thats the epoch, bounds_18 means 1875.

They are slightly different.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoch_(astronomy)#Epochs_and_periods_of_validity

Ma

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On 03/02/2026 22:29, Maetes wrote:
> Maybe use bound_20 (top-left in the select-box).
> Thats the epoch, bounds_18 means 1875.
> 
> They are slightly different.
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoch_(astronomy)#Epochs_and_periods_of_validity
> 
Thanks for the suggestion, this man provides more details about
this subject: https://pbarbier.com/constellations/boundaries.html

Probably I need to dive deeper into astronomy and need a good book for
beginners. School lessons are not enough and were too many years ago ...
--
YB

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On 01/02/2026 12:42, yesbird wrote:
> Thank you for sharing this data. Really, I am looking for good
> data source for my present Virtual planetary project:
> https://yesbird.online/planetarium/
> 

Here is large-scale prototype for what I am doing:
http://aladin.cds.unistra.fr/AladinLite/

I am plan to make something similar, but less scientific,
more user friendly, with better GUI, higher quality images
and VR support.
--
YB

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