                   Persistence of Vision(tm) Ray Tracer

                         POV-Ray(tm) Version 3.00

                      Where to Get It and Other Info

                               July 2, 1996

      The Persistence of Vision(tm) Ray Tracer creates three-dimensional, 
photo-realistic images using a rendering technique called ray tracing. It 
reads in a text file containing information describing the objects and 
lighting in a scene and generates an image of that scene from the view 
point of a camera also described in the text file. Ray tracing is not a 
fast process by any means, but it produces very high quality images with 
realistic reflections, shading, perspective, and other effects.

      The POV-Ray(tm) package includes detailed instructions on using the 
ray tracer and creating scenes. Many stunning scenes are included with POV-
Ray so you can start creating images immediately when you get the package. 
These scenes can be modified by the user also so they don't have to start 
from scratch.

      In addition to the pre-defined scenes are a large library of 
predefined shapes and materials that can be used in your own scenes by just 
typing the name of the shape or material.

      POV-Ray is easy to use, and also includes many advanced features like 
bezier patches, blobs, height-fields, bump mapping, atmosphere, text 
objects and more.

      POV-Ray can be used under MS-Dos, Windows 3.x, NT & '95; Apple 
Macintosh 68k and Power PC; Amiga; Linux, SunOS; UNIX, and other 
computers.

      Here is a list of the files that you need to use POV-Ray on your
computer.

      The latest versions of these files are available over CompuServe, 
Internet, America Online, and several BBS's. See 'Where to find POV-Ray 
files' section below for more info.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   For MS-Dos systems:
   -------------------
   The MS-Dos version runs under MS-Dos, or as a dos application under
   Windows'95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1 or 3.11.  It also runs
   under OS/2 and Warp.

   Required hardware & software:
      - A 386 or better CPU and at least 4 meg of RAM.
      - About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond
        that for working space.
      - A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
        The EDIT program that comes with MS-Dos will work for moderate
        size files.
      - Graphic file viewer capable of viewing GIF and perhaps TGA
        and PNG formats.

   Required POV-Ray files:
      - POVMSDOS.EXE -- a self-extracting archive containing 
        the program, sample scenes, standard include files, and 
        documentation in a hypertext help format with help viewer.
        This file may be split into smaller files for easier downloading.  
        Check the directory of your download or ftp site to see if 
        other files are needed.

   Recommended: 
      - Pentium or 486dx or math co-processor for 386 or 486sx
      - 8 meg or more RAM.
      - SVGA display preferably with VESA interface and high color
        or true color ability.

   Optional:
      The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided 
      for the curious and adventurous.  
      - POVMSD_S.ZIP - The C source code for POV-Ray for MS-Dos.  
        Contains generic parts and MS-Dos specific parts.  It does not
        include sample scenes, standard include files, and documentation
        so you should also get the executable archive as well.
      - A C compiler that can create 32-bit protected mode applications.
        We support Watcom 10.6, Borland 4.52 with Dos Power Pack and
        the Gnu DJGPP 2.0 compilers.


   For Windows systems:
   --------------------
   The Windows version runs under Windows'95, Windows NT, and under
   Windows 3.1 or 3.11 if Win32s extensions are added.  Also runs under
   OS/2 Warp.

   Required hardware & software:
      - A 386 or better CPU and at least 8 meg of RAM. 
      - About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond
        that for working space.

   Required POV-Ray files:
      - User archive POVWIN3.EXE -- a self-extracting archive containing
        the program, sample scenes, standard include file, and
        documentation.  This file may be split into smaller files
        for easier downloading.  Check the directory of your download or 
        ftp site to see if other files are needed.

   Recommended: 
      - Pentium or 486dx or math co-processor for 386 or 486sx
      - 16 meg or more RAM.  
      - SVGA display preferably with high color or true color ability
        and drivers installed.

   Optional:
      The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided 
      for the curious and adventurous.  
      - POVWIN_S.ZIP - The C source code for POV-Ray for Windows.  
        Contains generic parts and Windows specific parts.  It does not
        include sample scenes, standard include files, and documentation
        so you should also get the executable archive as well.

      - POV-Ray can only be compiled using C compilers that create 
        32-bit Windows applications. We support Watcom 10.6, and
        Borland 4.52 or 5.0 compilers.


   For Macintosh systems:
   ----------------------
   The Macintosh versions run under Apple's MacOS operating system
   version 7.0 or better, on any 68020/030/040-based Macintosh
   (with or without a floating point coprocessor), or any of the
   Power Macintosh computers.

   Required hardware & software:
      > A 68020 or better CPU without a floating point unit
        (LC/Performa/Centris series) and at least 8 MB RAM
    *or*
      > A 68020 or better CPU *with* a floating point unit
        (Mac II/Quadra series) and at least 8 MB RAM
    *or*
      > Any Power Macintosh computer and at least 8 MB RAM.
      - System 7 or newer and color QuickDraw (System 6 is
        no longer supported.)
      - About 6 MB free disk space to install and an additional
        2-10 MB free space for working space.
      - Graphic file viewer utility capable of viewing Mac PICT,
        GIF, and perhaps TGA and PNG formats (the shareware
        GIFConverter or GraphicConverter applications are good.)

   Required POV-Ray files:
      > POVMACNF.SIT or POVMACNF.SIT.HQX -- a Stuffit archive containing 
        the non-FPU 68K Macintosh application, sample scenes, standard
        include files, and documentation (slower version for Macs without
        an FPU.)
     *or*
      > POVMAC68.SIT or POVMAC68.SIT.HQX -- a Stuffit archive containing 
        the FPU 68K Macintosh application, sample scenes, standard include
        files, and documentation. (faster version for Macs WITH an FPU.)
    *or*
      > POVPMAC.SIT or POVPMAC.SIT.HQX -- a Stuffit archive containing the 
        native Power Macintosh application, sample scenes, standard include
        files, and documentation.

   Recommended:
      - 68030/33 or faster with FPU, or any Power Macintosh
      - 8 MB or more RAM for 68K Macintosh;
        16 MB or more for Power Macintosh systems.
      - Color monitor preferred, 256 colors OK, but thousands
        or millions of colors is even better.

   Optional:
      The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided
      for the curious and adventurous.  POV-Ray can be compiled
      using Apple's MPW 3.3, Metrowerks CodeWarrior 8, or Symantec 8.

      - POVMACS.SIT or POVMACS.SIT.HQX - The full C source code for POV-Ray
        for Macintosh.  Contains generic parts and Macintosh specific
        parts.  It does not include sample scenes, standard include files,
        and documentation so you should also get the executable archive 
        as well.



   For Amiga systems: 
   ------------------ 
      The Amiga version comes in several flavors, 68000/68020 without 
      FPU, (not recommended, very slow) 68020/68881(68882), 68030/68882 
      and 68040. There are also two sub-versions, one with a CLI-only 
      interface, and one with a GUI (requires MUI 3.1).  All versions
      run under OS2.1 and up. Support exists for pensharing and window 
      display under OS3.x with 256 color palettes, and CybeGFX display 
      library support.

      Required:
      - at least 4 meg of RAM.
      - at least 2 meg of hard disk space for the necessities, 5-20 more
        recommended for workspace.
      - an ASCII text editor, GUI configurable to launch the editor of
        your choice.
      - Graphic file viewer - POV-Ray outputs to PNG, Targa (TGA), and 
        PPM formats, converters from the PPMBIN distribution are 
        included to convert these to IFF ILBM files.

      Required POV-Ray files:
      - POVAMI.LHA -- a LHA archive containing executable, sample scenes, 
        standard include files, and documentation.

      Recommended:
       - 8 meg or more of RAM.
       - 68030 & 68882 or higher processor.
       - 24bit display card (CyberGFX library supported)

      As soon as a stable compiler is released for Amiga PowerPC 
      systems, plans are to add this to the flavor list.

      Optional:

      The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided 
      for the curious and adventurous. 

      - POVAMI_S.LHA --- The C source code for POV-Ray for Amiga. 
        Contains generic parts and Amiga specific parts.  It does not
        include sample scenes, standard include files, and documentation
        so you should also get the executable archive as well.


   For Linux on Intel 80x86 CPU:
   -----------------------------
   Required hardware & software:

      - A 386 or better CPU and at least 4 meg of RAM.
      - About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond that
        for working space.
      - A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
      - Any recent (1994 onwards) Linux kernel and support for ELF format
        binaries. POV-Ray for Linux is NOT in a.out format.
      - ELF libraries libc.so.5, libm.so.5, and one or both of libX11.so.6
        or libvga.so.1


   Required POV-Ray files:

      - POVLINUX.TGZ or POVLINUX.TAR.GZ --- archive containing an official
        binary for each SVGALib and X-Windows modes. Also contains sample
        scenes, standard include files, and documentation.


   Recommended:

      - Pentium or 486dx or math co-processor for 386 or 486sx
      - 8 meg or more RAM.
      - SVGA display preferably high color or true color ability.
      - If you want display, you'll need either SVGALib or X-Windows.
      - Graphic file viewer capable of viewing PPM, TGA or PNG formats.

   Optional:

      The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided for the
      curious and adventurous. 

      - POVUNI_S.TGZ or POVUNI_S.TAR.GZ --- The C source code for POV-Ray
        for Linux.  Contains generic parts and Linux specific parts.
        It does not include sample scenes, standard include files, and
        documentation so you should also get the executable archive as
        well.

      - The GNU C compiler and (optionally) the X include files and
        libraries and KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO USE IT. Although we provide
        source code for generic Unix systems, we do not provide technical
        support on how to compile the program.


   For SunOS systems:
   ------------------
   Required hardware & software:

      - A Sun SPARC processor and at least 4 meg of RAM
      - About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond that
        for working space.
      - A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
      - SunOS 4.1.3 or other operating system capable of running such a
        binary (possibly Solaris or Linux for Sparc)

   Required POV-Ray files:

      - POVSUNOS.TGZ or POVSUNOS.TAR.GZ --- archive containing an official
        binary for each text-only and X-Windows modes. Also contains sample
        scenes, standard include files, and documentation.

   Recommended:

      - 8 meg or more RAM.
      - If you want display, you'll need X-Windows or an X-Term.
      - preferably 24-bit TrueColor display ability, although the X
        display code is known to work with ANY combination of visual
        and color depth.
      - Graphic file viewer capable of viewing PPM, TGA or PNG formats.

   Optional:

      The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is provided for the
      curious and adventurous. 

      - POVUNI_S.TGZ or POVUNI_S.TAR.GZ --- The C source code for POV-Ray
        for Linux.  Contains generic UNIX parts and Linux specific parts.
        It does not include sample scenes, standard include files, and
        documentation so you should also get the executable archive as
        well.

      - A C compiler and (optionally) the X include files and libraries
        and KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO USE IT. Although we provide source code
        for generic Unix systems, we do not provide technical support on
        how to compile the program.

   For generic UNIX:
   -----------------

   Required: 
      - POVUNI_S.TGZ or POVUNI_S.TAR.GZ --- The C source code for POV-Ray
        for Unix.  Either archive contains full generic source, Unix and 
        X-Windows specific source.
      - POVUNI_D.TGZ or POVUNI_D.TAR.GZ or any archive containing the
        sample scenes, standard include files, and documentation.  This
        could be the Linux or SunOS executable archives described above.
      - A C compiler for your computer and KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO USE IT.
        Although we provide source code for generic Unix systems, we
        do not provide technical support on how to compile the program.
      - A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.

   Optional: 
      - X Windows if you want to be able to display as you render.
      - You will need the X-Windows include files as well. If you're not 
        familiar with compiling programs for X-Windows you may need some 
        help from someone who is knowledgeable at your installation because 
        the X include files and libraries are not always in a standard 
        place.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Each executable archive includes full documentation for POV-Ray
itself as well as specific instructions for using POV-Ray with your type 
of computer.

 ** POV-Ray(tm) is copyrighted freeware written by the POV-Team(tm).
 ** It may be freely distributed subject to the restrictions
 ** defined in POVLEGAL.DOC found in all of our archives.
 ** POV-Ray is NOT public domain software.

 POV-Ray is based on DKBTrace 2.12 by David K. Buck and Aaron A. Collins.

      The POV-Ray Team is a collection of volunteer programmers, designers, 
animators and artists meeting via electronic mail on Compuserve's GRAPHDEV 
forum.  GO GRAPHDEV.

      The POV-Ray Team's goal is to create freely distributable, high 
quality rendering and animation software written in C that can be easily 
ported to many different computers.

      If you have any questions about POV-Ray, please contact

      Chris Young
      [POV-Team Coordinator]

      CIS: 76702,1655
      Internet: 76702.1655@compuserve.com


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where to find the POV-Ray files
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Graphics Developer Forum on CompuServe
--------------------------------------
POV-Ray headquarters are on CompuServe GRAPHDEV forum ray tracing sections. 
We meet there to share info and graphics and discuss ray tracing, fractals 
and other kinds of computer art.  Everyone is welcome to join in on the 
action on CIS GRAPHDEV. Hope to see you there! You can get information 
on joining CompuServe by calling (800)848-8990 or visit the CompuServe home 
page http://www.compuserve.com. Direct CompuServe access is also available 
in Japan, Europe and many other countries.


Internet
--------
The internet home of POV-Ray is http://www.povray.org and ftp.povray.org.
Please stop by often for the latest files, utilities, news and images from 
the official POV-Ray internet site.

The comp.graphics.rendering.raytracing newsgroup has many competent POV-Ray
users that are very willing to share their knowledge.  They generally ask 
that you first browse a few files to see if someone has already answered the 
same question, and of course, that you follow proper "netiquette".  If you 
have any doubts about the qualifications of the folks that frequent the 
group, a few minutes spend at the Ray Tracing Competition pages at 
www.povray.org will quickly convince you!


PC Graphics area on America On-Line  
-----------------------------------
There's an area now on America On-Line dedicated to POV-Ray support
and information. You can find it in the PC Graphics section of AOL.
Jump keyword POV (the keyword PCGRAPHICS brings you to the top of the
graphics related section). This area includes the Apple Macintosh
executables also. It is best if messages are left in the "Company Support
section. Currently, Bill Pulver (BPulver) is our representative there.


The Graphics Alternative (TGA) BBS in El Cerrito, CA.
-----------------------------------------------------
For those on the West coast, you may want to find the POV-Ray files on The 
Graphics Alternative BBS. It's a great graphics BBS run by Adam Shiffman.  
TGA is high quality, active and progressive BBS system which offers both 
quality messaging and files to its 1300+ users.

    510-524-2780 (PM14400FXSA v.32bis 14.4k, Public)
    510-524-2165 (USR DS v.32bis/HST 14.4k, Subscribers)


PCGNet
------
TGA BBS serves as the central hub for a large network of graphics-oriented 
BBS systems around the world.  Following is a concise listing of active 
PCGNet nodes at the time of this writing.  The POV-Team can not vouch for 
the currency of this information, nor verify that any of these boards may 
carry POV-Ray.

  USA and Canada
    SAUG BBS                     Bellevue          WA      206-644-7115
    The Happy Canyon             Denver            CO      303-759-3598
    CHAOS BBS                    Columbia          MO      314-874-2930
    411-Exchange                 Alpharetta        GA      404-345-0008
    Autodesk Global Village      San Rafael        CA      415-507-5921
    Space Command BBS            Kennewick         WA      509-735-4894
    The Graphics Alternative     El Cerrito        CA      510-524-2780
    The CAD/fx BBS               Mesa              AZ      602-835-0274
    PC-AUG                       Phoenix           AZ      602-952-0638
    Time-Out BBS                 Sadsburyville     PA      610-857-2648
    John's Graphics              Brooklyn Park     MN      612-425-4436
    CEAO BBS                     Columbus          OH      614-481-3194
    Canis Major                  Nashville         TN      615-385-4268
    CAD/Engineering Services     Hendersonville    TN      615-822-2539
    The Virtual Dimension        Oceanside         CA      619-722-0746
    Joes CODE BBS                West Bloomfield   MI      810-855-0894
    The Drawing Board BBS        Anchorage         AK      907-349-5412
    The New Graphics BBS         Piscataway        NJ      908-271-8878
    The University               Shrewsbury Twp    NJ      908-544-8193
    
  Australia 
    The Baud Room                Melbourne VIC            61-3-481-8720
    Sydney PCUG Compaq BBS       Caringbah NSW            61-2-540-1842
    My Computer Company          Erskineville NSW         61-2-557-1489
    MULTI-CAD Magazine BBS       Toowong QLD              61-7-878-2940
   
  Austria
    Austrian AutoCAD User Group  Graz                    43-316-574-426
   
  Belgium
    Lucas Visions BBS            Boom                     32-3-8447-229
   
  Denmark
    Horreby SuperBBS             Nykoebing Falster        45-53-84-7074
   
  Finland
    DH-Online                    Jari Hiltunen           358-0-40562248
    Triplex BBS                  Helsinki                358-0-5062277
   
  France
    CAD Connection               Montesson                33-1-39529854
    Zyllius BBS!                 Saint Paul                 33-93320505
   
  Germany
    Tower of Magic               Gelsenkirchen            49-209-780670
    Ray BBS Munich               Munich                    49-89-984723
   
  Netherlands
    BBS Bennekom: Fractal Board  Bennekom                 +31-318-415331
    CAD-BBS                      Nieuwegein               +31-30-6090287
    Foundation One               Baarn                    +31-35-5422143

  New Zealand
    The Graphics Connection      Wellington               64-4-566-8450
    The Graphics Connection II   New Plymouth             64-6-757-8092
    The Graphics Connection III  Auckland                 64-9-309-2237
   
  Slovenia
    MicroArt                     Koper                     386-66-34986
   
  Sweden
    Autodesk On-line             Gothenburg                46-31-401718
   
  United Kingdom
    Raytech BBS                  Tain, Scotland         44-1862-83-2020
    The Missing Link             Surrey, England        44-181-641-8593
    CADenza BBS                  Leicester, UK          44-116-259-6725
 
  Country or long distance dial numbers may require additional numbers
  to be used. Consult your local phone company.


POV-Ray Related Books & CD-ROMs
-------------------------------
The following items were produced by POV-Team members.  Although they
are only current to POV-Ray 2.2 they will still be helpful. Steps are
being taken to update the POV-Ray CDROM to version 3.0, with a new
version expected around October 1996.

 'The Official POV-Ray CDROM'

 The Official POV-Ray CDROM is a compilation of images, scene source, 
 program source, utilities and tips on POV-Ray and 3D graphics from 
 the Internet and Compuserve. This CD is aimed not only at those who 
 want to create their own images or do general 3D programming work, 
 but also at those who want simply to experience some high-quality 
 renderings done by some of the best POV-Ray artists, and to learn 
 from their source code. The CDROM contains over 500 ray-traced images.

 It's a good resource for those learning POV-Ray as well as those who
 are already proficient, and contains a Microsoft Windows-based
 interactive tutorial. The disk comes with a fold-out poster and
 reference sheet. The CD is compatible with DOS/Windows and Macintosh
 formats.

 The CDROM is available for free retrieval and browsing on the World
 Wide Web at http://www.povray.org/pov-cdrom. For more details you may 
 also visit http://www.povray.org/povcd.

The books listed below have been recently listed as out-of-print but may
still be found in some bookstores or libraries (Visit
http://www.dnai.com:80/waite/ for more details).

 Ray Tracing Creations, 2d Ed.   
 Chris Young and Drew Wells
 ISBN 1-878739-69-7
 Waite Group Press 1994
   700 pages with color insert and POV-Ray 2.2 on 3.5" MS-Dos disk.

 Ray Tracing Worlds with POV-Ray
 Alexander Enzmann, Lutz Kretzschmar, Chris Young,
 ISBN 1-878739-64-6
 Waite Group Press 1994
   Includes Moray 1.5x modeler and POV-Ray 2.2 on 3.5" MS-Dos disks.

 Ray Tracing for the Macintosh CD
 Eduard Schwan 
 ISBN 1-878739-72-7
 Waite Group Press, 1994 
   Comes with a CD-ROM full of scenes, images, and QuickTime movies, 
   and an interactive keyword reference. Also a floppy with POV-Ray for
   those who don't have a CD ROM drive.

