Advanced Graphics n241.tplt Advanced Graphics Why we need them When to use them Warnings Advanced Graphics types 3D Visualization (Ray Tracing) Morphing Animated GIFs Ray Tracing The basic principle: Traces how light rays travel from camera off objects to light source scene definition language POV-Ray Free software Extremely powerful Full-featured Not as friendly as commercial packages Getting Started Download and install Run POV-RAY3.1 Look at a sample scene Creating a scene Add a camera Add light Add a shape (or two) Modifying the look and feel Changing the pigment of the floor Changing the texture of the sphere Moving camera and light Moving other objects Cool, but now what? Auto-saved images Conversion to web-ready format Anti-aliasing, color depth More things to learn about POV-RAY Animation - create multiple images Advanced textures and shapes - globs, smoke, etc Rendering options for size and detail One example: Morphing Basic concepts Use and abuse How it's used Morphing general concept Two different images control points to determine central features Estimates 'in-between' points, colors Creates smooth transition between different images Using MorphWin Import two files Choose control points Define borders Fire away Creating Animated GIFS Basic outline Import images Define control combine Using GIF Construction Set Download GCS (or somehting like it) Choose images - smaller is better setting controls loop or one-shot Special Tricks Import wizard Banner wizards Rotation Warnings Animation is VERY expensive Use smaller images when possible Low color depth = faster No control once image is created