Povray

This article provides knowledge about different types of geometric primitive objects that can be exported from BRL-CAD to POV-Ray geometry file. Their properties, functions used for them, parameters are discussed in section below.

To Know more about POV-Ray, here are some links below:

Below is the list of primitives that are working/exported correctly, partially and not touched yet.

Primitives that are working properly

Arbitrary convex polyhedra

ARB8

This primitive is formed in POV-Ray using mesh.The mesh object can be used to efficiently store large numbers of triangles. Example:

mesh{triangle{a,b,c}triangle{a,c,d}triangle{a,d,f}
triangle{g,h,c}triangle{e,f,g}triangle{e,g,h}}

ARBN

An arbn record is specified by N sets of intersecting planes, each defined by four coefficients:

  • the {X, Y, Z} coefficients of the plane’s normal vector pointing outward from the center of the arbn shape, and

  • the perpendicular distance of that plane from the origin.

Its exported in POV-Ray by using intersection of Planes. Example:

    intersection{ plane{<x, y, z coefficients>, normal} ... }

Ellipsoids

ELL

This primitive is named as spheroid in POV-Ray. It is having Center Vector, Radius Vector Example:

     Spheroid(<-1.50,3.00,-2.00>,<2.0,1.2,2.5> )

ELLG, ELL1

These primitives are exported under Ell

EHY

Elliptical Hyperboloid of BRL-CAD can be formed by POV-Ray. Currently its coordinates are exported successfully and is done by using quadric equartions of POV-Ray

EPA

Elliptical Paraboloid in BRL-CAD. Its coordinates are exported successfully and is done by using quadric equartions of POV-Ray

Sphere

Sphere is formed by Center and Radius Example:

     sphere { Center, Radius [OBJECT_MODIFIERS...]}

Cones and Cylinders

Truncated General Cone

This primitive of BRL-CAD is formed by using Supercone of POV-Ray. Example:

    Supercone( //point A, axis Ax, axis Az:<0.0,0.0,0.0>, 0.5, 1.0,
               // point B, axis Bx, axis Bz:<0.0,1.5,0.0>, 0.7, 0.4)}

Cone

This primitive of BRL-CAD is named as Cone in POV-Ray. It is formed as Center and radius of one end Center and radius of other end Example:

     cone {<0, 1, 0>, 0.3  <1, 2, 3>, 1.0 texture { T_Stone25 scale 4 }}

TEC

Its also exported under TGC.

REC

Its exported nuder TGC.

TRC

Its also under TGC

Cylender

This is formed by Cylender of POV-Ray. center_of_one_end, center_of_other_end and Radius Example:

     cylinder { <0, 1, 0>,<1, 2, 3>,0.5 }}

RHC

Right Hyperbolic Cylinder in BRL-CAD. Coordinates are exported successfully. It can be formed by using function

     function { pow(x,2) + y }

of POV-Ray.

RPC

Right Parabolic Cylinder in BRL-CAD. Coordinates are exported successfully. It also formed by the using functions of POV-Ray.

Other Solids

Torus

Torus is created using major radius and minor radius Example:

    torus { 4, 1 pigment { Green }}

Particle

This primitives of BRL-CAD is formed in POV-Ray by using Round_Cone2 of POV-Ray. Example:

    Round_Cone2(
    //point A, radius A: <0,0,0>,0.70,
    // point B, radius B:<0,1,0>, 0.40,)

half

Half primitive of BRL-CAD is export into POV-Ray as Plane. Example:

     plane { <Normal>, Distance }

BOT

Bag of triangles in BRL-CAD. Its exported by using triangles in POV-Ray.

Primitives that are under progress

ETO

Elliptical torus of BRL-CAD can be formed by using some methods. One of them is by using function i.e. f_torus Example:

     f_torus(x,y,z,1*(y+0.4),0.1 )

extrude

Currently, data of extrude is exported successfully. Remaining part is how to export sketch and relate it with extrude.

Primitives that are not under work yet

derived from 2d

revolve

dsp

ebm

hf

Other solids

pipe

ars

metaball

nurb

spline

vol

poly

hrt

Other

Sketch

grip

binunif

submodel