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POVMenu v1.1b
======================================================================
A Menu Driven User Interface For The Persistence Of Vision Raytracer
(POV-Ray v1.0)
======================================================================
POVMenu USERS GUIDE
======================================================================
BETA RELEASE - PLEASE DO NOT DISTRIBUTE!
======================================================================
POVMenu Is FreeWare From The Graphics WorkShop BBS
Copyright(c) Dennis Dodd, 24 Dec 1992, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!
Tech Support & Inquires: (901) 458-9456 * USR d.s. * FidoNet 1:123/57
POVMenu version 1.1b
Contents
======================================================================
Quick Start .............................................. 1
Upgrading From Version 1.0 ............................... 2
Introduction ............................................. 3
Disclaimer & Copyright Notice ............................ 4
Software & Hardware Requirements ......................... 4
Features ................................................. 5
Files Included In The Archive ............................ 6
Installing POVMenu ....................................... 7
The Directory Structure .................................. 11
Menu Operation ........................................... 12
F10 - Convert To GIF ..................................... 14
Configuration Screen Options ............................. 16
QuickView Display Options ................................ 20
The User Definable Menu Picks ............................ 29
Command Line Display ..................................... 30
If You Have Problems With POVMenu ........................ 30
Program Credits .......................................... 30
Release History .......................................... 31
======================================================================
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 1
======================================================================
A QUICK START - FOR THE IMPATIENT POWER USER
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are one of those kinds who hates to read documentation, then
hopefully this page will get you going.
[1] Let me get something straight... POVMenu does not require a pre-
defined directory structure to operate correctly. It can be
adapted for use with almost any directory setup. If you wish to
use POV-Menu with your existing directory structure, this will
require a little reading on your part. Please refer to the
section outlining the CONFIGURATION screens. There you will find
instructions on how to setup POVMenu with an existing directory
structure.
If you are a new comer to POV-Ray, then begin with a copy POV-Ray
installed in the directory structure as recommended in the POV-Ray
v1.0 docs, page 10.
[2] Create a new directory off of the \POVRAY directory called
'IMAGES'.
[3] Install the files contained in the POVMenu archive in the \POVRAY
directory. Move the file RUNPL.BAT to the POVRAY\UTIL directory.
[4] Run the INSTPOVM program. Supply the hard drive letter and the
POV-Ray run directory name ('\POVRAY' normally).
[5] Make sure that the '\POVRAY' and the '\POVRAY\UTIL' directories
are on the DOS path and re-boot your system if needed.
[6] Fire up POVMenu by typing "POV" and [ENTER] at the DOS prompt.
[7] Press ALT-F1 and fill in the following fields with the requested
information:
1) The name of the .POV file you would like to Edit/Render.
8) The name of the POV-Ray executable you are running.
9) The name of the image processing program used to 'touch up'
and add text to your final GIF files (IMPROCES or VGACAD).
10) Your favorite file browser (LIST.COM).
11) Your favorite GIF file viewer (VPIC or CShow).
12) The name of your favorite hard disk manager utility (QDos,
X-Tree, etc...).
13) The name of your text editor (Qedit, Multi-Edit, etc.).
[8] Press ALT-F1 and select the desired Convert-To-GIF method. Press
[ESCAPE] to return to the main configuration screen.
[9] Press ALT-F2 and fill in the user definable Utility program names
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 2
======================================================================
and menu tags. Press [ESCAPE] to return to the main configuration
screen.
[15] Press [ESCAPE] to save the configuration and exit.
[16] Enjoy POVMenu!
UPGRADING FROM VERSION 1.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have been running version 1.0 of POVMenu, please be advised that
version 1.1 IS NOT A DROP IN REPLACEMENT! The POVMenu configuration
file format has been changed. To install and run version 1.1 you *MUST*
first run the INSTPOVM program and convert your existing configuration
file. To upgrade to version 1.1 follow these steps:
[1] Move the archive (POVMNU11.ARJ) into your POV-Ray run directory
and unARJ it with the overwrite option, using the following
command line:
ARJ e -y POVMNU11
(ARJ is case sensitive. You MUST type the command line just
as it appears above.)
[2] Run the INSTPOVM program. When asked "Are you upgrading from
a previous version of POVMenu?", answer [Y]es, and press
[ENTER]. Next the program will ask "Would you like to convert
your old configuration file?", answer [Y]es, and press
[ENTER].
[3] Copy the file RUNPL.BAT into your \POVRAY\UTIL directory.
RUNPL.BAT is an example batch file for using the user
defined menu picks. See the section on 'The User Defined
Menu Picks' for more info on this subject and recommendations
on how to set them up.
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 3
======================================================================
INTRODUCTION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have gone to the trouble and expense to download this file and
begin reading this document, then you are probably frustrated by the
complicated command line driven user interface that the Persistence
of Vision raytracer provides. POV-Ray is a *GREAT* raytracer, but the
command line options can get very confusing, especially for a new comer
to the program.
I discovered POV-Ray during January of 1992. In the months that
followed I rendered a bunch of files using a series of crude BAT files
that I wrote to take a little of the pain out of the EDIT/VIEW/RENDER/
CONVERT-TO-GIF process. After a few months of this I decided that there
HAD to be a better way to interact with this wonderful program. So, I
decided to write a simple but useful menu driven interface that would
ride on top of POV-Ray and call it with command lines instructing it to
perform all of the basic steps needed during the creation of a picture.
You may customize the command lines passed to POV-Ray and some of the
picks that appear on the Main Menu, allowing you to adapt POVMenu to
suit your personal tastes and needs.
POVMenu started out as a goofy little program that I wrote in
QuickBasic that turned out to be indispensable when running POV-Ray on
a regular basis. I *DO NOT* claim to be a guru programmer by any
stretch of the imagination, but the damn thing works, and works quite
well if you don't ask too much of it. (At least the price is right!)
If you find POVMenu helpful, let me know! If you find room for
improvement, tell me and I'll wire it into the program. If you
think it's a piece of crap, then delete it and save yourself a few
'K' of disk space.
If you would like to contact me, please do! I may be reached at
the following places:
On my BBS:
** The Graphics WorkShop BBS **
Node1: 901-458-9456 | Both Nodes USR ds
Node2: 901-323-9296 | 14.4K - HST/v.32b
The Graphics Alternative BBS, 510-524-2780 (v.32)
You Can Call Me Ray BBS, 708-358-5611 (HST and/or v.32)
via FidoNet netmail at 1:123/57, or the FidoNet graphics echo
Voice: 901-323-8183 (use your common sense, I work a day job!)
The latest version of POVMenu may always be FREQed from 1:123/57
under the magic name 'POVMENU'.
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 4
======================================================================
DISCLAIMER & COPYRIGHT NOTICE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In the spirit of Persistence of Vision, POVMenu is copyrighted
freeware. This means:
[legal b.s. mode on]
1 - You are free to use POVMenu for your own personal use.
2 - Please propagate POVMenu by uploading it to your favorite
BBS or sharing a copy of it with a friend.
3 - Use the program at your own risk! The only thing that I
grantee POVMenu to do is occupy disk space. If it breaks
your system, you own both halfs. You should always
maintain reliable backups of your hard drive(s) just in
case something goes wrong!
4 - I retain all rights to the program. You may not hack,
reverse engineer, or otherwise fornicate with the
executables 'POVMENU.EXE' or 'INSTPOVM.EXE'. You may
not edit or modify the DOC file included in the archive.
5 - The original distribution archive must be left intact
and undisturbed. The original archive is packaged in a
virus free ARJ security envelope. You may not repackage
POVMenu in an alternate archive format such as ZIP or
LZH. The contents of the original distribution
archive may not be altered in any way. This includes
adding 'ads' for your BBS to the archive or any other
such extraneous files. You may not change the comments
that are displayed when the file is de-archived.
6 - You may not charge money for POVMenu (beyond a handling
fee not to exceed $5.00 US).
7 - You may not include POVMenu in any commercial, shareware,
or freeware product without the written consent of the
author.
[legal b.s. mode off]
That's enough of that!
SOFTWARE & HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To use POVMenu, and take advantage of all the functions provided, quite
a few external programs are needed. These programs are summarized
below:
* A copy of the POV-Ray executable (required!). You're dead
in the water without it.
* A text editor capable of receiving the file name to edit
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 5
======================================================================
on the calling command line such as QEdit, Multi-Edit, etc.
* An image processing program that may be used to 'touch up'
and/or add text to your GIF files, such a IMAGE PROCESS or
VGACAD.
* An image processing program capable of converting 24 bit
TARGA files to 8 bit GIF files, such as Image Alchemy,
PicLab, IMG2GIF, TGA2GIF, etc...
* A GIF file viewer such as VPIC or CShow.
* A file browser utility such as LIST.COM.
* A hard disk management utility such as QDos or X-Tree.
* Up to five of any of the popular utilities for POV-Ray
like C-Render, C-Mapper, Coil, POVscape, etc. -or- any BAT
files of your own.
Most of these programs should be installed on your hard drive in
directories that are on your DOS path (like \UTIL or \BIN). The image
processors should be installed in the directory that your TARGA files
are built in. The POV-Ray utilities should be installed in your
\POVRAY\UTIL directory or be on the DOS path. This is noted in this
document when required.
Hardware wise, if your system will run POV-Ray, it will run POVMenu!
FEATURES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
POVMenu provides the following features:
* Calls all programs from recursive batch files. Effectively
requiring *ZERO BYTES* in memory overhead to use!
* Calls up to five user defined programs or BAT files as menu
picks on the main menu. These may be any of the various
POV-Ray utilities like C-Render, etc. or, user written BAT
files. Allowing you to add any functions to the main menu
that you desire.
* 2 'QuickView' modes, allowing you to render directly to the
screen using the several color selection methods provided in
POV-Ray. 2 resolutions are provided: 160x100 (1/4 screen)
and 320x200 (full screen). These pictures look pretty bad,
but they are great for verifying that the basic color,
shape, and placement of the objects in your scene are
suitable. Support provided for the palette option allowing
you to use the HSV, 3-3-2, Gray Scale, or Sierra High Color
palette DAC methods of color selection.
* Calls POV-Ray and renders your final product. A variety of
options are provided allowing you to control most aspects
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 6
======================================================================
of the output file, such as anti-alias on/off and threshold,
rendering quality, output file type, etc. Four resolutions
are provided: 320x200, 640x480, 800x600, and 1024x768.
* Provides a built in selection of five methods to convert
from TARGA to GIF. Separate command line parameters are
stored for each method, allowing very quick change over
from one method to another. Great for comparing the final
product produced from several different methods.
* Calls your favorite text editor with the current .POV
loaded.
* Calls your favorite image processor (IMPROCES, VGACAD,
etc.), allowing you to perform post processing on your
final pic files, or to create GIFs used for image mapping.
* Calls your favorite pic file viewer (VPIC, CSHOW, etc).
So you can admire your GIFs (and show them off to your
friends!).
* Calls a file browser program with all of your .POV files,
sample .POVs, or INClude files loaded and ready to view.
(Vern D. Burg's LIST.COM is highly recommended!) Great for
doing a quick search through the files provided with
POV-Ray for reference.
* Calls your favorite hard disk manager program (Q-Dos,
X-Tree, etc.).
THE FILES INCLUDED IN THE POVMenu ARCHIVE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The POVMNU11.ARJ archive should yield the following files:
POVMENU.EXE <-- The menu program.
POVMENU.V11 <-- Default config file, (renamed to POVMENU.CFG).
POVMHELP.DAT <-- Online help text displayed by the menu program.
INSTPOVM.EXE <-- Installation/Upgrade utility.
RUNPL.BAT <-- Example user defined menu pick.
POVMENU.DOC <-- The DOC file.
README.1ST <-- Readme 1st information.
WHATS.NEW <-- What's new in version 1.1.
DESC.SDI <-- Description file (may be deleted).
FILE_ID.DIZ <-- Description file (may be deleted).
The POVMNU11.ARJ file was created using the ARJ security envelope feature.
When un-ARJing, the last line of text on your screen should say:
*** This archive HAS a valid ARJ-SECURITY envelope ***
If POVMenu was not packed in an ARJ file or ARJ doesn't report a clean file
when un-ARJing, you are urged to seek an original copy of the archive!
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 7
======================================================================
A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT INSTALLING POVMenu ON YOUR SYSTEM
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The major bitch i got from most of the users of the version 1.0 release
was that your directory structure *HAD* to be changed to conform to
POVMenu's way of doing things. The creation of this problem was
entirely my fault. I did not make something clear enough in the
version 1.0 docs.
POVMenu CAN BE CONFIGURED TO RUN IN ANY DIRECTORY STRUCTURE THAT YOU
PRESENTLY HAVE! If it can't, then I have done a poor job as a
programmer, and I need your input to help fix it!
In the following sections I will explain two strategies for
installing POVMenu. The first, assumes that you currently have POV-
Ray installed on your hard drive, and that you have been using it for
some time now. A few examples are given to help you with configuring
POVMenu to work in your existing setup. The second strategy assumes
that you are a new comer to POV-Ray, and will be installing it for
the first time. An example with step-by-step instructions is provided.
Regardless of which strategy you will be using, a few basic steps are
required when installing. These are:
1) Unpack the archive into the directory that POV-Ray runs in.
2) You *MUST* run the INSTPOVM installation utility. This
programs installs your configuration file and creates the
POV.BAT file, that is critical to proper operation.
3) You must then run the menu program and fill in some
information on the configuration screens (ALT-F1 on the main
menu).
Look through the next two sections and decide which one best describes
your needs, and follow the instructions given.
INSTALLING POVMenu IN AN EXISTING SETUP
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In talking with some of the users of POV-Ray, I have found that the
directory structure people have varies wildly from person to person.
This complicates the design of a program like POVMenu if the user is
using more that one directory for ray tracing. I will provide a few
concrete examples of how to install POVMenu into an existing directory
setup.
EXAMPLE 1: Let's assume that you have every bloody file needed in one
directory called \POV. This means that all your include
and dat files as well as all of the ray tracing software is
in one directory. Also, all of the image processors used
to convert to GIF are here. All of your TARGA files are
created in this directory. You get the picture...
The directory structure looks like this:
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 8
======================================================================
\ROOT ----- \POV
On the configuration screen fill in the blanks as follows:
|============== Path Names ============|
2) POV-Ray Run Dir: \POV
3) Scene File Dir : \POV
4) Include FileDir: \POV
5) Sample File Dir: \POV
6) Image File Dir : \POV
7) Utility Dir : \POV
Simple, no? Ok, so what if I have just a few more directories in my
setup?
EXAMPLE 2: Let's assume that you have you have a directory called \POV
that holds the raytracer software and utilities. Another
that holds all of your samples, includes, and dat files
called \DATS. And a third one called \PICS that holds all
of the TARGAs and GIFs that are created. Lets take a look
at this one...
The directory structure looks like this:
\ROOT ----- \POV --+-- \DATS
|
+-- \PICS
On the configuration screen fill in the blanks as follows:
|============== Path Names ============|
2) POV-Ray Run Dir: \POV
3) Scene File Dir : \POV\DATS
4) Include FileDir: \POV\DATS
5) Sample File Dir: \POV\DATS
6) Image File Dir : \POV\PICS
7) Utility Dir : \POV
Are you starting to get the picture? Ok, so what if a have several
directories, but they are all hung off of the root directory? No
problem...
EXAMPLE 3: Let's assume that you have you have a directory called \PVRAY
that holds the raytracer software. Another called \RAYUTIL
that holds all of the utility stuff. Another that
holds all of your samples, includes, and dat files called
\DAT. And a forth one called \IMAGES that holds all of the
TARGAs and GIFs that are created. Lets take a look at this
one...
The directory structure looks like this:
\ROOT --+-- \DAT
|
+-- \IMAGES
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 9
======================================================================
|
+-- \PVRAY
|
+-- \RAYUTIL
On the configuration screen fill in the blanks as follows:
|============== Path Names ============|
2) POV-Ray Run Dir: \PVRAY
3) Scene File Dir : \DAT
4) Include FileDir: \DAT
5) Sample File Dir: \DAT
6) Image File Dir : \IMAGES
7) Utility Dir : \RAYUTIL
See the sections about the configuration screen, as there are several
other fields that must be filled in before POVMenu will work properly.
I hope this helps more that it confuses. With just a little planning
and reading on your part, POVMenu can be made to run with any
directory setup. Also, if you're still unsure what to put in the path
name fields, see the section that describes the specific purpose for
each of these paths (CONFIGURATIONS SCREEN OPTIONS). If you still
don't know after reading that section, then call me! I'd love to hear
from you.
INSTALLING POV-Ray AND POVMenu FROM SCRATCH
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are a new comer to POV-Ray then this section should get you up
and going. The recommended directory structure as defined in the POV-
Ray version 1.0 manual (page 10) is:
\ROOT --- \POVRAY --+-- \INCLUDE
|
+-- \SAMPLES
|
+-- \SCENES
|
+-- \UTIL
You should have this directory structure established on your hard
drive and the various files installed as recommended in the POV-Ray
version 1.0 doc's before installing POVMenu.
You should add one additional directory (IMAGES) to this configuration
to use POVMenu. Your final directory structure should look like this:
\ROOT --- \POVRAY --+-- \IMAGES <--- add this dir
|
+-- \INCLUDE
|
+-- \SAMPLES
|
+-- \SCENES
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 10
======================================================================
|
+-- \UTIL
Add the additional directory by moving to the '\POVRAY' directory and
typing the following command at the DOS prompt: 'MD IMAGES' and press
the [ENTER] key.
Place the files from the POVMNU11.ARJ archive in the '\POVRAY'
directory.
Run the INSTPOVM.EXE program. When you run the INSTPOVM program it
will ask:
Are you upgrading from a previous version of POVMenu (Y/N)?
You should answer [N]o. INSTPOVM will then asks a couple of questions
about the drive letter and directory name that POV-Ray is installed in.
This program writes the POV.BAT that calls the menu program. After
running INSTPOVM, you should delete it, as there is no further need for
it. The POV.BAT file created by INSTPOVM should look something like
this:
@ECHO OFF
C: <-- Hard drive POV-Ray is installed on
CD \POVRAY <-- Directory that POV-Ray is installed in
POVMENU
POVBAT
Make sure that the '\POVRAY' and the '\POVRAY\UTIL' directories are on
the DOS path and re-boot your system if needed.
The last step in the installation procedure involves configuring
POVMenu for use in your environment. Start POVMenu by typing 'POV'
at the DOS prompt and press [ENTER]. The menu should appear on your
screen. Press ALT-F1 and the configuration screen should appear.
One at a time, edit each of the field numbers shown below, and enter
the correct data for your system. See the section on the CONFIGURATION
SCREEN OPTIONS for further details.
1) The name of the .POV file you would like to Edit/Render.
8) The name of the POV-Ray executable you are running.
9) The name of the image processing program used to 'touch up'
and add text to your final GIF files (IMPROCES or VGACAD).
10) Your favorite file browser (LIST.COM).
11) Your favorite GIF file viewer (VPIC or CShow).
12) The name of your favorite hard disk manager utility (QDos,
X-Tree, etc.).
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 11
======================================================================
13) The name of your text editor (Qedit, Multi-Edit, etc.).
Next, press [F1] while on the configuration screen, and you will be
presented with the convert to GIF options screen. Select the desired
method by hi-lighting it and pressing [ENTER] and then press [ESCAPE].
Press [ESCAPE] to save the configuration and exit. After saving this
information, POVMenu is ready for use!
The default configuration file supplied with POVMenu is setup to work
in the directory structure as defined in the POV-Ray docs. All you
will need to do is fill in the PROGRAM NAME fields with the names of
the programs your using.
THE DIRECTORY STRUCTURE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are installing into the default directory structure as defined
in the POV_Ray docs, an explanation of the directories is in order.
The purpose of each directory is explained below:
The '\POVRAY' directory contains the POV-Ray excitable, DOC files, and
other assorted goodies. Install the INSTPOVM.EXE and POVMENU.EXE
files (from the archive) into this directory.
The '\POVRAY\INCLUDE' directory should contain all the include
files in the version 1 release of POV-Ray. (i.e. COLORS.INC,
TEXTURES.INC, SHAPES.INC, etc...).
-------------------
!! IMPORTANT TIP !!
-------------------
Any INCLUDE files that are defined in your .POV files *MUST* be
placed in the '\POVRAY\INCLUDE' directory, or POV-Ray will report an
error (include file not found).
The '\POVRAY\SAMPLES' directory should contain all the sample
.POV files included in the version 1 release of POV-Ray.
The '\POVRAY\SCENES' directory will hold all of the .POV files that
you create.
The '\POVRAY\UTIL' directory should contain all the utility programs
and files in the version 1 release of POV-Ray. You should also
install C-Render, C-Mapper, Coil, POVScape, and any other POV-Ray
utilities you may have. Also, put all of your .BAT files that will
be installed as user defined menu picks in this directory.
All of the TARGA, RAW, DUMP, and GIF files created during the
rendering and conversion processes will be placed in the '\POV\IMAGES'
directory. This is also the directory that the image processing
programs are directed to run in.
You may change the names of these directories to suit yourself (but
why bother?). The above directory example is setup in the default
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 12
======================================================================
configuration file that comes with POVMenu. If you insist, you may
change the path names to anything that you like. See the section
describing the CONFIGURATION SCREEN OPTIONS for further details.
-------------------
!! IMPORTANT TIP !!
-------------------
MAKE SURE THAT THE '\POVRAY' DIRECTORY IS ON THE DOS PATH! This is
necessary due to the manner in which the POVMenu program interacts
with the .BAT files that animate it. See your DOS manual if you
don't know what the DOS 'path' is and how to set it up.
MENU OPERATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
POVMenu utilizes the '.DEF' feature in POV-Ray to pass the command line
parameters to the executable. When any of the render options are
selected (F2, F3, & F6 thorough F9) a file named POVMENU.DEF is created
in the POV-Ray run directory, and all command line parameters are
written into this file. Then, POV-Ray is called with the following
command line:
[POV Executable Name] POVMENU.DEF
Example: POVRAY POVMENU.DEF
Note that this method will override any options set up in the
environment. (i.e. SET POVRAYOPT=...). See the section on the
DEFAULT PARAMETER FILE in the POV-Ray docs for further information on
how POV-Ray interacts with the .DEF file.
POVMenu is launched from the DOS prompt by typing 'POV' and pressing
[ENTER]. The menu should appear on your screen. Actions are selected
by pressing the 'F' key associated with the desired menu pick.
A brief description of the menu functions are presented below:
------------------
F1 - EDIT POV file
------------------
Calls your text editor with the current .POV file loaded.
This file must be found in the directory specified in
configuration field 3 (Scene File Dir) or in \POVRAY\SAMPLES.
----------------------
F2 - QuickView 160x100
F3 - QuickView 320x200
----------------------
Calls POV-Ray with a command line causing the current .POV
file to be rendered directly to the screen using the internal
color selection that is built into the IBM port of POV-Ray.
The desired VGA chip set option may be specified on the
configuration screen, field 12 (QuickView display option).
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 13
======================================================================
I find these options useful when I'm working on a scene and
need to verify the basic shape, texture, and placement of the
objects I have defined in my .POV file. The F2 option will
render a 160x100 picture (1/4 screen @320x200) and the F3
option will render a 320x200 picture (full screen).
A sample command line used when calling POV for a QuickView
is available on the main configuration screen (press F3).
IMPORTANT TIP: With the release of version 1.0 of POV-Ray,
the render to screen will usually blow up when the QuickView
option is set to zero. See the section that outlines this
function for more info!
--------------------
F4 - Image Processor
--------------------
Moves to the directory specified in configuration field 6
(Image File DIR) and calls the program defined in
configuration field 8 (Image Processor Pgm Name). This is
handy when you need to touch-up a picture after conversion to
the final output format. (Normally .GIF)
--------------
F5 - View GIFs
--------------
Moves to the directory specified in configuration field 6
(Image File DIR) and calls the program defined in configuration
field 10 (GIF Viewer Pgm Name). Allows you to view all of your
wonderful raytraces!
--------------------
F6 - Render 320x200
F7 - Render 640x480
F8 - Render 800x600
F9 - Render 1026x768
--------------------
This group of menu picks will call POV-Ray with a command
line causing the current .POV file to be rendered to an
output file. These picks are typically used to create your
final TARGA file.
Note that several items on the configuration screen will
affect the command line passed to POV-Ray when rendering.
Field 16 (Anti-alias Y/N), field 15 (Anti-alias Threshold),
field 17 (Rendering Quality), and field 18 (POV Out File
Format). See the POV docs on the command line options +a,
+q, and +f; and the section below (CONFIGURATION SCREEN
OPTIONS) for further information.
The output file format during rendering is defined in
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 14
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configuration field 18 (POV Out File Format). The 3 possible
formats are [t]arga, [r]aw, and [d]ump. The only format
supported by POVMenu is the TARGA file format. If your using
Raw or Dump, then the F10 pick (Convert to GIF) is useless.
A sample of the command line used when calling POV-Ray for
final rendering my be displayed by pressing F3 while on
the configuration screen.
--------------------
F10 - Convert to GIF
--------------------
Most of the folks that are running the IBM port of POV-Ray are
using the GIF format as their final file format. Because
POV-Ray will not output directly to GIF, the POV-Ray output
(TARGA) must be converted using a separate image processing
program capable of 24 bit TARGA to 8 bit GIF conversion.
POVMenu supports five methods to convert from TARGA to GIF,
they are:
1) TGA2GIF - Sun Country Software
2) CUTTGA - Sun Country Software
3) PicLab - Lee D. Crocker & Stone Soup
4) IMG2GIF - Steven Coy (with TGA2VIV by Dan Farmer)
5) ALCHEMY - Handmade Software
The action taken when the F10 pick is asserted from the main
menu depends the method selected on the EDIT CONVERT TO GIF
OPTIONS screen.
Please note that all image processing is carried out in the
directory specified in configuration field 6 (Image File Dir).
This is the directory that POV-Ray is instructed to build it's
TARGA files in, and is also the directory that the GIFs are
built in. For this scheme to work, the image processor *MUST*
be on the DOS path or in the Image File Dir as specified in
configuration field 6.
One final note about F10, if you are using another program to
do your conversion to GIF (besides the five listed), please
contact me and I'll be glad to add it to POVMenu. The only
requirement is that the program must be able to accept it's
input from the DOS command line or via redirection from a
command file.
A sample of the command line used when calling you Image
Processor for conversion to GIF my be displayed by pressing
F3 while on the main configuration screen.
------------------
ALT F1 - Configure
------------------
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 15
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Calls the configuration file editor. See the section titled
"CONFIGURATION SCREEN OPTIONS" for further details.
------------------
ALT F2 - List POVs
------------------
Moves to the directory specified in configuration field 3
(Scene File Dir) and calls the program listed in
configuration field 9 (File Viewer Pgm Name). This allows
you to move to the Scenes directory and view your .POV files
with LIST.
---------------------
ALT F3 - List SAMPLEs
---------------------
Moves to the directory specified in configuration field 5
(Sample File Dir) and calls the program listed in
configuration field 9 (File Viewer Pgm Name). This allows
you to move to the Samples directory and view the sample
files supplied in POV-Ray with LIST.
----------------------
ALT F4 - List INCLUDEs
----------------------
Moves to the directory specified in configuration field 4
(INCLUDE File Dir) and calls the program listed in
configuration field 9 (File Viewer Pgm Name). This allows
you to move to the Include file directory and view your
INCLUDE files with LIST.
---------------------
ALT F5 - Disk Utility
---------------------
Just about everyone has a favorite disk management utility
like QDos or X-Tree. This menu pick transfers control to the
program specified in configuration field 11 (File Utility Pgm
Name).
This allows you to copy files, move files, delete files, etc.
without having to exit the menu.
-----------------------------------------------
ALT F6 thru ALT F10 - User Definable Menu Picks
-----------------------------------------------
Using the appropriate screen in the configuration system, you
may install any options that you wish. See the section on
UTILITY CONFIGURATION for further information.
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 16
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CONFIGURATION SCREEN OPTIONS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
When you press ALT-F1 on the main menu you will be presented with the
configuration screen. This screen allows you to store a variety of
information that determines how POV-Ray will work, what the current
.POV file is, and the path names to the various directories used, etc.
This information is written to disk, and is re-loaded each time POVMenu
runs. This means that the configuration settings are 'remembered' by
the menu program.
Each area on the configuration screens are divided into fields. Each
field is identified with a 'field number' that appears to the left of
the field description and is delimited with the ')' character. To
change the contents of a field, enter the field number and press
[ENTER]. The selected field will hi-lite and then you may enter
information into the field. Full edit capability is provided (i.e.
insert, delete, home, end, etc.). Press [ENTER] when done. The
hi-lite will return to the prompt area, and the newly entered data
will be displayed in the field. When the hi-lite is in the prompt
area, press [ESCAPE] to save the current settings and return to the
Main Menu.
The configuration editor is divided into three screens that you may
enter information into, and a forth screen that displays the sample
command lines. Each of these four screens are described below:
SCREEN 1 - THE MAIN CONFIGURATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The main configuration screen has four areas where information is
entered, and a help box. Each area has it's own purpose. The five
areas are:
1) Current POV File
2) Path Names
3) Program Names
4) Rendering Options
5) The Help Box
These five areas and their fields are explained in detail below:
AREA 1 - CURRENT DATA FILE
The fields are:
|====== Current Data File ======|
1) Current POV File: FLY.POV
-------------------
1) Current POV File
-------------------
Enter the name of the POV file that you wish to edit and
render here. This is the file name that will be passed to
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 17
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your editor for the F1 (Edit POV File) menu pick. This is
also the input file name passed on the command line when doing
a quickview or render.
The file name specified here is first looked for in the
SAMPLES directory. If not found there, then POVMenu looks in
the SCENES directory. If the specified file is not found
there, then it is assumed you are starting a new .POV file.
You are prompted if you wish to create the new file. If you
answer YES, then a new file is created in the SCENES
directory and it will contain a single comment line
indicating the new file name. You may then edit, quickview,
and render as desired.
Defaults to "CHANGEME.POV" until changed.
AREA 2 - PATH NAMES
The fields are:
|============== Path Names ============|
2) POV-Ray Run Dir: \POVRAY
3) Scene File Dir : \POVRAY\SCENES
4) Include FileDir: \POVRAY\INCLUDE
5) Sample File Dir: \POVRAY\SAMPLES
6) Image File Dir : \POVRAY\IMAGES
7) Utility Dir : \POVRAY\UTIL
------------------
2) POV-Ray Run Dir
------------------
Enter the full path name to the directory where the POV-Ray
excitable may be found.
Defaults to '\POVRAY' if not changed.
-----------------
3) Scene File Dir
-----------------
Enter the full path name to the directory where the .POV
files created by are kept.
Defaults to '\POVRAY\SCENES' if not changed.
-------------------
4) Include File Dir
-------------------
Enter the full path name to the directory where your
include files may be found (i.e. COLORS.INC, SHAPES.INC,
TEXTURE.INC etc...).
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 18
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Defaults to '\POVRAY\INCLUDE' if not changed.
-----------------
6) Image File Dir
-----------------
Enter the full path name to the directory where all output
image files will be built when created by POV-Ray. This is
the directory where your TARGA files will be created when
rendering a final image.
Defaults to '\POVRAY\IMAGES' if not changed.
NOTE: This directory is created by you when installing POVMenu.
--------------
7) Utility Dir
--------------
Enter the full path name to the directory where all utility
processing is performed. Whenever any of the main menu picks
ALT-F6 through ALT-F10 are selected, processing is carried out
in this directory.
Defaults to '\POVRAY\UTIL' if not changed.
AREA 3 - PROGRAM NAMES
The fields are:
|========== Program Names ==========|
8) POV-Ray Executable Name: POVIBM
9) Image Processor Pgm Name: IMPROCES
10) File Viewer Pgm Name : LIST
11) GIF Viewer Pgm Name : VPIC
12) File Utility Pgm Name : QD
13) Text Editor Pgm Name : Q
---------------------------
8) POV-Ray Excitable Name
---------------------------
Enter the name of the POV excitable that you are using
here. This is the program name specified on the command line
when POVMenu calls POV-Ray to render or quickview.
Defaults to 'POVRAY' if not changed.
---------------------------
9) Image Processor Pgm Name
---------------------------
Enter the name of your image processing program here. This
is the program that will be called when the F4 (Image
Processor) menu pick is selected. POVMenu will move to the
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 19
======================================================================
path specified in field 6 and then call the program
name entered in field 9.
Defaults to 'IMPROCES' if not changed.
------------------------
10) File Viewer Pgm Name
------------------------
Enter the name of the file browser utility that you wish to
use here. This name is passed on the command line when the
ALT-F2, ALT-F3, ALT-F4 (List POVs, SAMPLES, INCLUDES) menu
picks are selected.
Defaults to 'LIST' if not changed.
-----------------------
11) GIF Viewer Pgm Name
-----------------------
Enter the name of your favorite GIF file viewer utility here.
This name is passed on the command line when the F5 (View
GIFs) menu pick is selected.
Defaults to 'VPIC' if not changed.
-------------------------
12) File Utility Pgm Name
-------------------------
Enter the name of your favorite hard disk management utility
here (such as Qdos or Xtree). This program name is called
when the ALT-F5 menu pick is selected.
Defaults to 'QD' (i.e. QDos) if not changed.
------------------------
13) Text Editor Pgm Name
------------------------
Enter the name of your favorite text editor here. This is
the program specified when the F1 (Edit POV file) menu pick
is selected.
Defaults to 'Q' (i.e. Qedit) if not changed.
AREA 4 - RENDERING OPTIONS
The fields are:
|===== Rendering Options ======|
14) Anti-alias T-hold: 0.2
15) Use Anti-alias Y/N: Y
16) Rendering Quality: 9
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 20
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17) QView Display Opt: 0
18) POV Out File Formt: targa
19) Allow break during
Rendering (Y/N) : N
---------------------
14) Anti-alias T-hold
---------------------
If field 16 is set to Yes, the value entered here is passed
as the anti-alias threshold when rendering (i.e. +a0.2). See
the POV-Ray docs for further info on the +a command line option.
Defaults to '0.2' if not changed.
------------------
15) Anti-alias Y/N
------------------
This Yes/No question determines whether or not anti-aliasing
will be in effect when rendering (F2, F3, and F6 through F9
on the menu). See the POV-Ray docs for further info on the
-a/+a command line parameters.
Defaults to 'No' if not changed.
------------------
16) Render Quality
------------------
This field determines the value passed in the -q parameter
on the command line when rendering. The valid entries are
numeric one through nine (1-9). See the POV-Ray doc's for
further info on the -q command line parameter.
Defaults to '9' if not changed.
----------------------------
17) QuickView Display Option
----------------------------
This option requires a little explanation. There were several
new display modes added in version 1.0 of POV-Ray, and for
some unknown reason, the +d options were not documented in the
POV-Ray version 1.0 docs.
The +d command line option allows you to define the video
hardware and palette in use when rendering directly to the
screen. The +d option takes the form of: +dxy, where x is
the display adapter type and y is the palette option. POVMenu
allows you to define the display option in the following field:
17) QView Display Opt: xy
All of the information that I am quoting below came from Tim
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 21
======================================================================
Wegner's wonderful book: "Image Lab" (pg. 308), published by
The Waite Group (ISBN 1-878739-11-5, $39.95 and highly
recommended!).
The valid values for x (display adapter type) are:
0 - (Default) Auto-detect from types below
1 - Basic, plain vanilla VGA 320x200
2 - MVGA (mode 13X) Tweaked VGA 360x480, if >320x200
3 - Tesing Labs 3000 SVGA
4 - Tesing Labs 4000 SVGA
5 - AT&T VDC600 SVGA
6 - Oak Technologies OTI-067
7 - Video 7 SVGA
8 - Video 7 Vega VGA
9 - Paradise SVGA
A - Ahead Systems Version 'A' SVGA
B - Ahead Systems Version 'B' SVGA
C - Chips & Technologies SVGA
D - ATI VGA Wonder
E - Everex SVGA
F - Trident SVGA
G - VESA standard SVGA
H through N - Reserved, unassigned (S)VGA types
O - TIGA/Hercules Graphics Workstation 16-bit
P - TIGA/Hercules Graphics Workstation 32-bit
Q through Z - Reserved, unassigned True-Color adapter types
The valid values for y (palette options) are:
0 - (Default) HSV->RGB method
3 - 3-3-2 RGB method
G - Grey Scale (optimized 64-shade palette for IBM's)
H - Serra High Color palette DAC
The character(s) entered here are used to build the display
command line specification when the F2 & F3 (QuickView) menu
picks are selected. See the POV-Ray docs for further info on
the +d command line parameter (what little there is!).
Defaults to 0 (zero, auto-detect and HSV palette) if not
changed.
-------------------
!! IMPORTANT TIP !!
-------------------
With the release of version 1.0 of POV-Ray, when the Display
Option is set to zero, POV-Ray will report a run-time error
when rendering to the screen, (most of the time). If POV-Ray
will render to a Targa file, but bombs out when you try to do
a QuickView, the you need to change the option defined in
this field to match the chip set in your VGA card.
Defaults to 0 (zero, auto-detect and HSV palette) if not
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 22
======================================================================
changed. PLEASE CHANGE THIS WHEN INSTALLING!!
--------------------------
18) POV Output File Option
--------------------------
The parameter entered here will determine the file format that
your final product will be rendered in. See the POV docs for
further info on the +f command line option.
Defaults to 't' (TARGA) if not changed.
Note that the TARGA format is the only output file format
supported by the F10 (Convert to GIF) menu pick.
--------------------------------------
19) Allow BREAK during rendering (Y/N)
--------------------------------------
Setting this option to [Y]es will cause the +x parameter to
be passed to POV-Ray when rendering. This allows you to abort
a trace while POV-Ray is rendering. Setting this option to
[N]o, locks the in the trace until POV-Ray is finished. (The
only way to break is to RESET your computer.)
Defaults to 'N' if not changed.
------------------------------------------
20) QuickView to Video While Rendering Y/N
------------------------------------------
Setting this option to [Y]es will cause the +d parameter to
be passed to POV-Ray when rendering. This allows you to view
the trace directly on the screen as it is rendered to a file.
Also, note that when enabled, the -v command line parameter
will be passed to prevent the stats display while rendering.
Defaults to 'N' if not changed.
-------------
!! WARNING !! (You better read this!)
-------------
Be advised that when this option is enabled, POV-Ray will switch
the video into graphics mode and set the resolution to match the
image being rendered. If you are rendering in a SVGA resolution
like 800x600 or 1024x768, POV-Ray will attempt to switch your VGA
card into those modes. If your display monitor can not handle
these modes, it will most likely self-destruct (i.e. smoke will
come out!). DO NOT ENABLE THIS OPTION UNLESS YOU ARE QUITE SURE
THAT YOUR MONITOR WILL SAFELY DISPLAY THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU
ARE RENDERING AT. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
-----------------------
21) Verbose Display Y/N
-----------------------
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Setting this option to [Y]es will cause the +v parameter to
be passed to POV-Ray when rendering. This causes POV-Ray to
display statistics while rendering.
Defaults to 'Y' if not changed.
AREA 5 - THE HELP BOX
At the bottom of the screen is a box that displays the options
available on the configuration screen, and also contains the prompt
area. The help box is shown below:
+-[ POVMenu Configuration ]-----------------------------------+
| |
| Press: F1 to edit CONVERT TO GIF OPTIONS |
| F2 to edit UTILITY OPTIONS |
| F3 to VIEW SAMPLE COMMAND LINES |
| -or- |
| Enter the FIELD NUMBER (above) to change --> |
| [ESCAPE] to save current settings and EXIT |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
When the cursor is in the prompt box, you may enter the field
number that you wish to edit and press [ENTER]. Or, you may press the
3 listed 'F' keys to gain access to more configuration options.
The three screens available with F1, F2, and F3 are explained below:
SCREEN 2 - (F1) CONVERT TO GIF OPTIONS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Because POV-Ray will not output directly to GIF, the POV-Ray output
(TARGA) must be converted using a separate image processing program
capable of 24 bit TARGA to 8 bit GIF conversion. POVMenu supports
five methods to convert from TARGA to GIF, they are:
TGA2GIF by Sun Country Software
CUTTGA by Sun Country Software
PICLAB by Lee Daniel Crocker & The Stone Soup Group
IMG2GIF by Steven Coy (with TGA2VIV by Dan Farmer)
ALCHEMY by Handmade Software (Image Alchemy)
To access the CONVERT TO GIF OPTIONS, press [F1] while on the main
configuration screen. The screen is divided into two areas. The
upper area provides on-line help describing the currently hi-lighted
program and explains how POVMenu uses it to perform a convert to GIF
operation. The text in this area will change as you move the hi-light
up and down in the selection box.
The lower area of the screen has a selection box to the right that
contains the 5 convert methods. One of the selections will be
hi-lighted. You may change your selection by pressing the UP or
DOWN arrows until the desired method is hi-lighted, and then press
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 24
======================================================================
[ENTER].
The area to the left displays your current selection, and the command
line options for the conversion method. Press [F1] to edit the command
line options. Full edit capability is provided (i.e. insert, delete,
home, end, etc.). Press [ENTER] when done. The hi-lite will return to
the selection box, indicating that the edit operation is complete.
The options entered here will be passed on the command line when the
image processor is called by the CONVERT-TO-GIF menu pick (F10 on the
Main Menu).
Note that as you scroll up and down in the list of conversion methods,
the command line options will change. POVMenu stores a separate set
of command line options for each conversion method. This allows you
to change from one method to another very quickly when selecting a
conversion program.
After you gain some experience rendering images with POV-Ray, and
then converting the Targa files to GIFs, you will find the results
that each conversion method gives will vary. Alchemy may do a better
job with a given image that PicLab or IMG2GIF. Other images will
convert better with PicLab or TGA2GIF, or one of the other methods.
This will require some experimentation on your part to decide which
conversion method yields the best results. This is due to the
various dithering methods that the image processors use to reduce
millions of colors that may be present in a Targa file down to
just 256 colors (the maximum number of colors that can be displayed
on a standard SVGA is 256).
I have arranged the menu system to allow you to change the conversion
method very quickly in an effort to allow you to compare the various
image processors when converting your final render to a GIF.
Generally speaking, when I have rendered a picture, I will first
convert it with Image Alchemy. Alchemy tends to give me the best
results in most cases. I will use this picture as a reference, and
then convert using PicLab, IMG2GIF, and TGA2GIF and compare the
resulting images one at a time.
The manner in which POVMenu calls the image processors to convert to
GIF and a little background on each of these programs is outlined
below:
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 25
======================================================================
-------------
IMAGE ALCHEMY
-------------
When POVMenu calls Image Alchemy the following action is taken.
A command line is built that contains the following elements:
[GIF Conversion Pgm Name] + [POVFILE.TGA] + [POVFILE.GIF]
+ [GIF Conversion Options]
Example: ALCHEMY MYFILE.TGA MYFILE.GIF -o -ds -8 -256
^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
| | | |
| +-----+-----+ |
| | |
Cvt-to-GIF option Config field 1 Alchemy Cmd Parameters
This command line is written into a batch file and control
is transferred to this batch file, causing ALCHEMY to convert
the TARGA file to a GIF file. When ALCHEMY terminates, control
returns to POVMenu, and the Main menu re-appears on your screen.
ABOUT IMAGE ALCHEMY:
ALCHEMY is a shareware conversion program by Handmade Software, Los
Gatos, CA. ALCHEMY does an excellent job of converting from Targa to
GIF. POVMenu runs ALCHEMY by writing a series of commands into a batch
file and then transfers control to it. ALCHEMY performs a direct
conversion from Targa to GIF.
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS:
ALCHEMY provides a very flexible command line allowing control over
palette selection method & sort, dither type, etc. Several dithers
are available: -d1 Floyd-Steinberg, -d2 Stucki, & -d3 Jarvis-Judice
-Ninke. Generally, a parameters setting of: -o -g -ds -8 -c256 will
give good results. Please see the ALCHEMY docs for further info.
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 26
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------
PICLAB
------
When POVMenu calls PicLab the following action is taken. First
of all, a command file is created which contains the proper
commands and filenames that will cause PicLab to convert the
desired TARGA file to a GIF. When PicLab is called, it is
directed to accept it's input from the command file.
The PicLab command file is named POVMENU.CMD and looks
something like this:
TLOAD MYFILE.TGA <-- load input TARGA file
MAKEPAL <-- build GIF color palette
MAP <-- map the new palette
GSAVE MYFILE.GIF <-- save the image to a GIF
QUIT <-- all done!
Next, a command line is built that contains the following
elements:
[GIF Conversion Pgm Name] + "POVMENU.CMD"
Example: PL POVMENU.CMD
^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^
| |
| +--- Hard wired in POVMenu
Cvt-to-GIF option
This command line is written into a batch file and control is
transferred to this batch file, causing PicLab to read it's
input from the file POVMENU.CMD. You will be able to watch
PicLab run as it goes through the motions of converting the
file. When PicLab terminates, control returns to POVMenu, and
the Main menu re-appears on your screen.
ABOUT PICLAB:
PicLab is a public domain image processor by Lee Daniel Crocker. It
is suitable for converting from Targa to GIF. POVMenu uses the
"Command File" feature in PicLab to pass processing commands. POVMenu
writes a series of commands into a file called POVMENU.CMD, and then
calls PicLab with the following command line: PL POVMENU.CMD This
causes PicLab to read it's commands from the POVMENU.CMD file instead
of from the keyboard. PicLab converts directly from Targa to GIF.
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS:
No command options are needed when using PicLab. Please see the PicLab
docs for further information.
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 27
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-------
IMG2GIF
-------
When POVMenu calls IMG2GIF the following action is taken.
First of all, a BAT file is created which contains the proper
commands and filenames that will cause the conversion of the
desired TARGA file to a GIF.
The controlling BAT file looks something like this:
@ECHO OFF
CLS
CD \POVRAY\IMAGES
CALL TGA2VIV BLOCK <-- Convert from Targa to IMG
CALL IMG2GIF BLOCK -d -m <-- Convert from IMG to GIF
IF EXIST *.IMG DEL *.IMG <-- Clean up the disk
PAUSE
POV
Note that the line that calls IMG2GIF works like this:
CALL IMG2GIF BLOCK -d -m
^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^
| | |
| | +-- IMG2GIF command parameters
Cvt-to-GIF option +-- Config Field 1 (.POV file name)
This command line is written into the batch file and control
is transferred to this batch file, causing the conversion from
Targa to GIF.
ABOUT IMG2GIF:
IMG2GIF is a conversion utility by Steven Croy (author of Vivid).
IMG2GIF does an excellent job of converting to the GIF format.
Conversion using this program is a two step process. First the Targa
file is converted to the IMG format using TGA2VIV (by Dan Farmer). It
is then converted to GIF using IMG2GIF. POVMenu writes a series of
commands into a batch file and then transfers control to it. Both
programs run sequentially, causing the conversion to GIF.
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS:
Note that the information in Parameters are passed as parameters to
IMG2GIF when it runs. The -d parameter selects a Floyd-Steinberg
dither. Also available are: -o ordered dither, -r random noise, and
-m median cut. Generally, a parameters setting of: -d -m will give
good results. Please see the IMG2GIF docs for further information.
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 28
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-------
TGA2GIF
-------
When POVMenu calls TGA2GIF the following action is taken. A
command line is built that contains the following elements:
[GIF Conversion Pgm Name] + [GIF Conversion Options]
+ [POVFILE.TGA] + [POVFILE.GIF]
Example: TGA2GIF -d MYFILE.TGA MYFILE.GIF
^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^
| | | |
| | +-----+-----+
| | |
Cvt-to-GIF option | +-- Config field 1
+-- TGA2GIF command line parameters
This command line is written into a batch file and control
is transferred to this batch file, causing TGA2GIF to convert
the TARGA file to a GIF file. When TGA2GIF terminates, control
returns to POVMenu, and the Main menu re-appears on your screen.
ABOUT TGA2GIF:
TGA2GIF is a new shareware conversion program by Sun Country Software,
Albuquerque, NM. TGA2GIF does an excellent job of converting from Targa
to GIF. POVMenu runs TGA2GIF by writing a series of commands into a
batch file and then transfers control to it. TGA2GIF performs a direct
conversion from Targa to GIF.
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS:
Note that the information in Parameters are passed as the flags to
TGA2GIF when it runs. The /d flag specifies an optional dither using
Floyd-Steinberg. Generally, a parameters setting of: /d will give
good results. Please see the TGA2GIF docs for further information.
------
CUTTGA
------
Support for Sun Country Software's CUTTGA is provided based on some
preliminary information provided by Loren Bolinger at Sun Country. As
this version of POVMenu went to press I had not received an evaluation
copy of CUTTGA to verify proper operation with. Based on the
information that I got from Loren, this convert method should work
fine, but I have no way of verifying this.
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 29
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SCREEN 3 - (F2) UTILITY CONFIGURATION (The User Definable Menu Picks)
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POVMenu provides you with 5 user definable menu picks. You may install
any POV-Ray utilities or user written BAT files that you wish. This
allows you to adapt POVMenu to your liking, and add functions that are
unique to your working environment.
When you press [F2] while on the main configuration screen, the Utility
Configuration screen will appear. This screen is divided into three
areas: The upper area provides a help text. The lower left area has
5 fields that contains the names of the programs and/or user written
BAT files the will be run by POVMenu when selected. The lower right
area contains the text that will displayed on the menu for the menu
pick names.
Note that the fields on this screen are paired up. Field 1 is the
program or BAT file name for the first menu pick, and Field 6 is
the menu pick name that is displayed on the Main Menu.
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!!IMPORTANT TIP!!
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When POVMenu runs one of the user defined utility programs, it changes
to the directory specified in configuration field 7 (Utility
Directory, which is normally set to '\POVRAY\UTIL'), and then attempts
to run the program or batch file. This means that the program or batch
file called by POVMenu must be in the utility directory or on the DOS
path.
POVMenu comes with one utility program installed, to provide an example
of how to use this feature. You will note that the ALT-F6 menu pick
calls PicLab. Let's take a look at how this works...
To install PicLab as a menu pick, I first created a little batch file
called RUNPL.BAT in the \POVRAY\UTIL directory. RUNPL.BAT looks like
this:
@ECHO OFF
CD\POVRAY\IMAGES
PL
Note that the batch file changes to the \POVRAY\IMAGES directory
before it run PicLab (I have PicLab installed in the IMAGES directory).
Then to actually install the menu pick, I went to the UTILITY
CONFIGURATION screen (F2 from the Configuration Screen) and entered
'RUNPL' in field 1, and entered 'PicLab' in field 6.
This feature adds a lot of flexibility to POVMenu by allowing you
to add functions to the menu that suit your personal needs.
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SCREEN 4 - (F3) SAMPLE COMMAND LINE DISPLAY
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POVMenu provides you with a screen that displays a sample of the
command lines used when rendering to the screen, rendering to file,
and when converting to GIF. When you press [F3] while at the main
configuration screen, the Sample Command Line Display screen will
appear. This screen is divided into two sections. The upper area
displays a help text, the lower area displays the three sample
command lines.
POVMenu uses the '.DEF' file method of passing command line parameters
to POV-Ray. This means that the command line parameters are written
into a COMMAND DEFINITION FILE that POV-Ray reads at run time. POVMenu
puts it's command line parameters into a file called 'POVMENU.DEF'.
Then POV-Ray is called with the following command line:
POVRAY POVMENU.DEF
Note that this process will override any environmental settings in
effect at run time. See the POV-Ray docs for further information.
The COMMAND LINEs are samples of the command lines that POVMenu will
build and call POV-Ray with. They are provided so that you may look
at them and verify that the proper information is being passed.
IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH POVMenu
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!CAUTION! POVMenu has very little error trapping built in. It does
not verify that the path names and programs specified on the
configuration screen exist. It trusts that you have entered correct
information. It will blindly call the program names and specify the
paths that you enter. If they are incorrect, there are no harmful
effects, other than the menu picks will not function properly if
incorrect information is specified on the configuration screen.
If a menu pick does not appear to work correctly, check the values
entered into the associated fields on the configuration screen. It's
a pretty good bet that you 'fat fingered' something.
Many people have used POVMenu with great success. I is (to my
knowledge) error free (if set up correctly), and that works quite
reliably. If you have problems with it, please contact me and I will
do what I can straighten it out. If we discover that my code is
broke, I'll fix it and send you a new copy, no extra charge!
PROGRAM CREDITS
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A lot of programs are mentioned in this document. I felt that I
should give credit to their copyright holders...
POV-Ray is copyrighted by the POV-Ray development team.
POVMenu v1.1 - The Menu Shell For POV-Ray v1.0 Page 31
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QEdit is copyrighted by SemWare.
Multi-Edit is copyrighted by American Cybernetics.
IMAGE PROCESS is copyrighted by John Wagner.
Image Alchemy is copyrighted by Handmade Software.
TGA2GIF & CUTTGA are copyrighted by Sun Country Software.
PicLab is public domain software by Lee Daniel Crocker &
The Stone Soup Group.
VPIC is copyrighted by Bob Montgomery.
CShow is copyrighted by Bob Berry, Canyon State Systems &
Software.
LIST.COM is copyrighted by Vernon D. Burg.
QDos is copyrighted by Gazelle Software.
X-Tree is copyrighted by the X-Tree Company.
C-Render is copyrighted by SoftTronics.
C-Mapper is copyrighted by SoftTronics.
Coil is copyrighted by W. D. Kirby.
POVscape is copyrighted by John Stanley.
I had nothing to do with the creation of any of these programs and
claim no rights to them. If you use any of these program that are
shareware, please register them!
Oh! I almost forgot...
GIF is a trademark of Compuserve.
IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines.
RELEASE HISTORY
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08 AUG 92 - version 1.0, first release.
24 DEC 92 - version 1.1b BETA release.
[END POVMENU.DOC]