Ray Tracing

Ray Tracing is a method of rendering 3D computer graphics that can create very photorealistic results. I bought a book on ray-tracing a long time ago and it came with some software. I messed around with it a bunch back then and since then I've come back to it to model this or that if I didn't think it would be too hard. The program I was using was DKB Ray Trace Version 2.12. It has grown up quite a bit since then and is now known as POV-Ray v3.1.

A lot of stuff has changed, and all for the better. And the really cool part is that POV-Ray is free. So go get it. If you're new to ray-tracing the tutorials actually do a pretty good job of getting you started.

On this page are some of the pictures I've made with POV-Ray. To see some actually good work take a look at the winners of the bi-monthly Internet Ray Tracing Competition.

Last Crayon

My fiance Libby Paletz and I worked on this image for the July-August IRTC, themed "Loneliness".
"Last Crayon" description - "Last Crayon" source code

My View of the World

This is what the world looked like from the cubicle I used to work in. Pretty bleak to say the least. I'm moving up in the world, though. Now I have a window and I can actually look out on a nice lawn with trees.
"My View" description - "My View" source code

Springfield Elementary

You know, they say Bart's the dumb one, but Lisa's been in the same grade for about 10 years now too.
"Springfield" description - "Springfield" source code

Renaissance I

These two images are of Detroit's Renaissance Center. When it was built back in the 70's it was supposed to herald the rebirth of downtown Detroit. Now the company I work for is thinking about moving downtown and they're saying the same thing. Will it work? You be the judge.

Renaissance II

"Renaissance" description - "Renaissance" source code

Lunar

Thirty years ago humanity reached farther than it ever had and a couple brave men went for a walk farther from home than anyone ever had.
"Lunar" description - "Lunar" source code

Not-So-Traditional Tea

My girlfriend Libby Paletz and I made this image together for the November-December IRTC, themed "Spirit of Asia". We wanted to incorporate a subtle play on the word "spirit" as well as include a tip of the hat to Asian cultural traditions and rituals.
"Tea" description

Marbles

My girlfriend Libby Paletz and I made this image together for the January-February IRTC, themed "World Within Worlds".
"Marbles" description - "Marbles" source code

Snowball

My girlfriend Libby Paletz and I made this image together for the March-April IRTC, themed "Winter", but I messed up when sending in the entry and so it wasn't in the contest. I'm sure it would have won if it had been.
"Snowball" description