POV-Ray 3 -- isosurface patch: POV3ISO beta-16

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• Features
• Examples
• Executable files (for Win95/NT console mode)
• Patched source files
• Syntax
• Version-up information
• How to use "isosurface"

This is a patched program of POV-Ray 3.0.


This patched program enables us to make iso-surfaces and parametric surfaces (for parametric surfaces, see D.Skarda&T.Bily's page) for various 3D functions.


You can specify the function both with f(x,y,z) in POV files and with the name of the functions.


The iso-surface can be used as solid CSG shape type.


Several useful functions, e.g., rounded_box, mesh, helix,.., are provided in this patch as internal functions. If you have a compiler, you can make your own functions as dynamic link library or shared library.


Several DLL files with various 3D functions (or source code) are also included in this release.


Two iso-surface finding methods are provided. Both methods are based on recursive subdivision. In default, "method 1", written by D.Skarda&T.Bily, is used for parsing functions and "method 2", written by R.Suzuki, is used for the functions specified by the name.
Generally, "method 2" is faster than "method 1" for internal/external functions but it requires information on the maximum gradient of the 3D function.

• Internal functions
  "rounded_box", "mesh", "helix" functions are quite useful.
  
• Example of torus shapes.
  This sample demonstrates how to specify the functions and methods.
  
• Rope.
  This sample demonstrates how to use external functions.
  
• Isosurface of external data
  3D head: these samples show how to use DLL with external 3D data.
  
• "function" pattern type.
  This sample demonstrates how to use "function" pigment.
  
• UV mapping to bezier patches.
  by N.Kopp nkopp@grfn.org.
  
• combination of multiple functions.
  
  

ISO_DEMO.ZIP:
This archive contains various sample files for POV3ISO.

Executable files for Win95/NT

POV3ISOW.ZIP: Windows GUI version

POV3ISOE.ZIP: Win32 console mode (no GUI)

These patches are for official POV-Ray 3.02. These archives contain only the patched files. If you want to use them, please get the official POV-Ray 3.02 files from Official POVRay site, then overwrite the patched files on them.

POV3ISOS.ZIP:

This patch is for official POV-Ray 3.02 generic UNIX version (makefiles for WIN32 are also included). This archive contains only the patched source files. If you want to compile them, please get official POV-Ray 3.02 source files from Official POVRay site, overwrite the patched files on them, and make executable files using makefiles.

Syntax of "isosurface" object

isosurface{ 
      function { f1(x,y,z) [ | or & ] f2(x,y,z) .... }
   or function { "foo", <p0,p1, ..... >, library "lib_name", "string", <q0, q1,..> }
//         where "foo" is name of the internal/external function foo(x,y,z). 
//         p0, p1,... are parameters for foo(x,y,z) 
//         function(x,y,z)<0 : inside for solid shapes. 
//           "lib_name" specifies a dynamic link library for external functions.
//           "string" and q0, q1, .. are parameters for the initializing routine.

//------ optional keywords ----------- 
     accuracy float_value 
     max_trace int_value [or all_intersections] 
     threshold float_value 
     bounded_by{ box{<VECTOR>, <VECTOR>}} // bounding shape
        // or bounded_by{ sphere{<VECTOR>, float_value}}
        // or clipped_by{ box{<VECTOR>, <VECTOR>}}
        // or clipped_by{ sphere{<VECTOR>, float_value}} 
     sign -1 // or 1
     max_gradient float_value
     eval    // evaluates max_gradient value
     method 1 // or 2 
     ..... 
}

Note: method 2 requires max_gradient value (default max_gradient is 1.1).

• Beta 1: private release
• Beta 2: public release
• Beta 3: added spherical bounding shape, max_gradient statistics and several bug fixes.
• Beta 4: several files are changed to support unix version.
• Beta 5: fixed bugs in isosurf.c.
• Beta 6: added makefiles for unix(gcc) compilers.
• Beta 7: fixed bugs in "#declare" and in slabs.
• Beta 8: fixed bugs in parametric object (D.S.).
• Beta 9: Windows version
• Beta 10: changed the syntax of the bounding shapes, added MPOV (D.S.) and double-byte TTF(K.C.).
• Beta 11: fixed bugs in bounding sphere of isosurface and parametric object, changed the source for ver 3.01.
• Beta 12: fixed bugs in "parse.c", "isosurf.c" and "f_expr.c".
• Beta 13: added "function" pattern type.
• Beta 14: added UV mapping with bezier patches by N.Kopp.
• Beta 15: fixed bugs for Chris Colefax's Lens flare include files.
• Beta 16: added feature to combine multiple functions, bug fix in "macro"

This is an unofficial POVRay and is not supported by the POV-Team.

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