Shay <Sha### [at] cccc> wrote:
>
> Just to add a bit to what Warp has said.
>
> A shader language would allow a user of SDL access to more of what
> POV-Ray knows abut a surface, light_source, etc.
>
>   -Shay

As an illustration of that, we can 'pigment' and 'normal' our textures with
user-defined functions. Its is highly embryonic, but it already opens
perspectives for those who can imagine functions. I guess some of you have
obtained nice results.

And in addition, POV's principle of having user-modifiable patterns
(including functions) with color_maps or pigment_maps and many
possibilities for 'finish' is so much flexible that all the stuff produced
so far with POV uses it.

This makes me say that, in a way, POV has already some kind of 'shader
language'.

BUT: we can (it's time to) go much further. A true shader language might
open entire worlds for artists and for those who want to ilmitate nature.
Ideas welcome. Can somebody remind us Renderman's approach of shaders? We
can get inspired by existing solutions.

Bruno

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