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Experimental BBS Explossion 3
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README.TXT
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1993-10-22
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OCTOBER 1993
This is version 1.0 of RRTRACER for the IBM, an easy to use ray tracing
program.
Requires a 386,486 with a VGA card
Pictures generated can be saved as 640 x 480 16 colour PCX files.
The following file needs to be in the same subdirectory as RRTRACER.EXE
for the program to run: (They are in included in the ZIP files)
GFABAS03.OVL 386
GFABAS73.OVL 386 with 387 or a 486
RRTRACER is written in GFA BASIC for DOS. I originally wrote this program
for the ATARI ST which had a very nice graphic user interface which
GFA BASIC for ATARI used very well. I converted this for the IBM with
minor changes, mostly to deal with the different resolutions.
Pictures can be reviewed with any 16 colour PCX viewer. I have included
a simple viewer PCXVIEW in the zip files.
GENERAL OPERATION
The opening screen presents you with a side view and top view of an empty
room. You then proceed to add objects and lights in this space.
You can give the objects the properties of colour, reflectivity and/or
transparency.When you are happy with the scene you proceed to generate
the 3-D ray tracing.
This may take a long time - up to a few hours. The more objects,reflections
and transparency the longer it takes. But the result is worthwhile. You
can ask for a small preview picture to be produced beforehand in a shorter
time to check the overall look of the tracing.
NOTES ON REFLECTIONS
Reflectivity is adjusted by a slider, values 0 (matte) to 8.
If you want a total mirrored look, eg. a steel ball, you set the colour
to black, and the reflectivity to 8
NOTES ON COMPOSITE OBJECTS
You can make a composite object out of overlapping objects. The only
exceptions are you cannot overlap transparent objects and you cannot have
a light source inside an object or fatal error occurs.
NOTES ON COLOURS
The VGA is restricted to 16 different colours on the screen at one time.
To ensure realistic image colouring involving reflections and transparency
I have restricted the palette to shades of one colour (red or green or blue)
and shades of grey and mixtures thereof.
NOTES ON THE MENU
FILE - NEW starts a new room and erase anything done so far
ADD - add a sphere,light,floor,ceiling,wall,solid cylinder,hollow cylinder
cone, or cuboid.
Maximum 20 objects, 3 lights
REMOVE - Remove anything added so far
OPTION - DEEP PERSPECTIVE - makes vanishing points closer
VIEW FROM ABOVE - view scene from an angle above
LEFT/RIGHT - view scene from an angle left/right
LOW AMBIENT LIGHT - no complete shadows
HIGH AMBIENT LIGHT - hardly any shadows at all
EDIT - Edit any parameters of objects added so far
- PALETTE - change colours of standard palette
GO - START - Start the ray tracing process.
- XYZ - If this option is checked before START a screen is
displayed allowing you to modify the x,y,z coordinates
of the objects and lights in the picture. This is useful
for lining objects up vertically or for making composite
objects. The floor is at y=-34.4, ceiling y=+34.4
back wall z=-398.1, left wall x=-47.4, right wall
x=+47.4
RRTRACER IS SHAREWARE. IF YOU LIKE THIS PROGRAM PLEASE SEND $15 TO
CLIVE PROBERT
250 SPRINGDALE BLVD
TORONTO, ON
M4C1Z9
CANADA
416 425 6011
I CAN ALSO BE CONTACTED ON GENIE AS C.PROBERT