From: atma@relay1.iunet.it (Cristiano Palazzini) Subject: SOFTWARE: Radiosity commercial product - official release - Date: 7 Jul 1993 12:59:16 GMT Organization: IUnet - EUnet Italy REAL LIGHT ver. 1.0 Radiosity Rendering Package Official Release Technical Description ===================== The Rendering process is concerned with realistic computer image generation from CAD geometrical descriptions. To generate accurate visual results we have to correctly describe the complex optical phenomena about light interaction with real object surfaces; this is accomplished using a mathematical illumination model able to generate a good approximation of light distribution according to conservation and transport energy principles. In computer graphics literature this is known as radiosity method. It is well known that one of the most difficult problems in light modelling is the correct simulation of diffusive light effects. Light leaving a surface is composed by the energy emitted from the surface, i.e. the Self Emitted Energy (this is for example a light source), and a fraction of the incident light arriving along a direct path from a light source or indirectly from other surfaces, through reflections and transmissions in the environment. Most of the real environments are composed by surfaces reflecting light diffusively; this means that almost the total light energy has a diffusive nature. The use of an analytical illumination model based on energy balance is the most appropriate solution to model light distribution in a diffuse environment. Unlike other computer graphics rendering techniques, radiosity is based on an analityical and physical illumination model according to energy balance concepts. ATMA RS has developed REAL LIGHT 1.0 an advanced rendering software based on the radiosity method. REAL LIGHT can render 3D surfaces emitting light diffusively and create color mixing phenomena typical of the diffusive reflection. Implementing a global illumination model REAL LIGHT visual results are indipendent from the observer position so you can generate dynamic sequences of a static environment. REAL LIGHT can be sold as an indipendent rendering software able to read an ASCII proprietary or DXF graphic file format generating an extended DXF, ASCII, VIZ or NFF file with radiosity information. REAL LIGHT is also sold as an AUTOCAD package; you can render and show your 3D model generated with AUTOCAD assigning colors data without exiting the program. The radiosity technique can be used to calculate luminance distribution of the diffusively reflected light in a scene giving numerical and visul feedback to Architecture, Lighting and industrial designers. Using a Virtual Reality system such as ProVision systems with dVS from Division Ltd. or WTK from Sense8 Co. it is possible to walk-through the environments calculated with radiosity in 3D and in real time. Technical notes =============== -Radiosity based rendering module. -Able to render facet geometrical models. -Avaiable as an AUTOCAD module or stand alone package. -Input file formats: ASCII, DXF. -Output file formats: ASCII, DXF, VIZ, NFF. -Version for Workstations DEC, IBM, HP, SGI, SUN. -Version for PC DOS Personal Computer or compatibles (the porting of the computational code has been already made, the visualization tool is under development). -Package: User manual, 1/4" tape or 3.5" disk. -Walk through visualization tool (for SGI WS only). Interfacing CAD systems with REAL LIGHT 1.0 =========================================== CAE/CAD developers and dealers can be interested in linking their graphics 3D packages to ATMA RS's REAL LIGHT. You can write an interface program able to read a geometrical facet representation from your CAD system and write the output file required i.e. a simple planar face list with normals and optical characteristics or a DXF file filled with the requested informations. In any case you need inside your CAD system a new menu to assign color, material and optical characteristics. ATMA RS can develop direct interfaces to any geometric modelling system or customize rendering kernels according to your specific needs. Please feel free to contact our company or send any written request by fax or mail. ATMA RS is at your disposal for any further technical or commercial explanation. Real-Light 1.0 is a registered trademark of ATMA Rendering Systems Srl. ATMA Rendering Systems aknowledges all registered trademarks and reserves the right to alter these specifications without prior notice. ATMA Rendering Systems Srl Via Settala, 10 20124 MILAN, ITALY Ph. 39+2+29531350/80 Fax. 39+2+29531500 e-mail: atma@relay1.iunet.it [MODERATOR'S NOTE: Commercial postings are offered on sci.virtual- worlds as a public service. Their appearance here does not necessarily indicate endorsement by the moderators or by the USENET or its administrators. -- Bob Jacobson]