Making a scene with POV-Ray

Due Date

This lab is due at 1200, 18 Sep.

Submissions

You need to submit two files with this lab:

  1. Save your POV-Ray file to a name in the following format: <alpha>_<lastname>_Lab4.pov (e.g. 179999_Johnson_Lab4.pov)
  2. Render your scene to a "640x480, AA 0.3" bitmap. Convert that file to a jpeg. (You can use Windows->All Programs->Accessories->Paint. Open your bitmap file and "Save As" type .jpg) Name your file in the following format: <alpha>_<lastname>_Lab4.jpg (e.g. 179999_Johnson_Lab4.jpg)

    Email the files to your instructor (blenk@usna.edu) with "SI460 Lab4" as the subject line.

    The purpose of this lab is to become familiar with building scene files by hand. We will be using POV-Ray for our renderer.

    You must write a .pov file that creates an entire scene. You will be graded on the completeness and complexity of the scene, as well as the quality of the rendered image.

    Using POV-Ray, construct a model of a scene on the Yard. Your scene must include at least one midshipman. In the interest of adding humor (and simplicity) you are encouraged to have your scene be a representation of the Yard using digital Legos, or some other children's toy. Your scene must include the following at a minimum:

    • At least one midshipman, drawn so as to be obviously a mid.
      • Must be in uniform
      • Must include a midshipman hat
      • Must be recognizable enough that any mid or graduate know what the picture is
    • A location that is recognizable as being somewhere on the Yard. Examples of this include (but are not limited to):
      • Modeling a recognizable monument
      • Modeling an easily recognizable building such as the Chapel
      • A realistic rendering of a midshipman room
      • A scene inside Bancroft Hall using accurate brick patterns, doors, and layouts
      • T-court
      • etc.

    For maximum points, your image must include some sort of detail that is humorous or which demonstrates the character of the Yard.

    Extra credit will be awarded for any entry that makes your instructor laugh.

    Class members will vote on their favorite submission in the first class after the due date.

    An expert modeler could spend 1-1000 hours perfecting a single model. To meet the learning goals of this lab, expect to spend 2-3 hours on your model after you have mastered the basic interface.

    Grading Criteria

    Max:Earned:
    Files are submitted correctly
    • .pov file
    • .jpg file
    		10
    POV file
    • Renders without errors
    • Creates scene
    		30
    Scene includes midshipman
    • Recognizable as a mid
    • Includes hat
    • Quality of model
    • Proper use of material and lights
    		15
    Scene includes Yard location
    • Recognizable as Yard
    • Quality of model
    • Proper use of material and lights
    		15
    Proper use of materials
    • At least three different materials
    • Quality of material
    		10
    Proper use of lights
    • At least three different lights
    • Quality of lighting
    		10
    Humor / character
    • Added something humorous in context with the Yard, or
    • Added some feature that fits in with the character of the Yard
    		10
    Extra Credit (up to +20)
    • Making your instructor laugh
    • Going over the top on character development
    Class Favorite (+10)
    Total: 100

    Collaboration Restrictions:

    • CP-6 (See course policy for specifics)
    • The entire class can be treated as your "assigned group members". You may ask any student for help or advice on this Lab, but you may not work on the same model. Each student must hand in their own, unique model.
    • Only the student submitting the Lab may directly affect the model in any way. (e.g. Another student can recommend that you make a change, and can even tell you how to do it, but cannot do it for you.)
    • The use of existing digital models is strictly forbidden. You may not copy a model, in whole or in part, from the Internet or any other source.
    • You may use any of the POV-Ray samples from the Class07 page, and may use the online POV-Ray documentation at http://www.povray.org/documentation/.
    • You are allowed to use 2D pictures and maps of the Yard as reference.
    • You are allowed to use Legos or any other real-world object as reference.

    Submitting your Lab:

    Email both your .pov and .jpg files to your instructor as described above.