greg@lbl-csam.arpa (Greg Ward) (05/27/89)
Stuart Green (green@CompSci.Bristol.AC.UK) writes: >I'm looking for references to any commercial systems for lighting simulation >which use radiosity and/or ray tracing techniques to compute global >illumination. I have already responded by snail mail to Mr. Green's request, but thought that a posting might be in order. We have written a ray tracing system for lighting simulation (aka global illumination) that is being made available to universities and public research institutions at no cost. The software is distributed in binary form for Suns, with a fraction of the source code. We plan on releasing everything in August (hopefully), so only those who are really eager need apply now. Be warned that the system is difficult to use and the documentation is terse at best. You must send a 30 Mbyte (or larger) 1/4" cartridge tape and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the address below. Since there is just me filling out these orders, please send a request only if you really intend to use the software. If you are primarily interested in the code, you had best wait until it is released this summer. What follows is the product announcement information contained in the October 1988 "Sun Academic Software Portfolio" (available from Sun Microsystems): Title: RADIANCE Version: 1.0 Distribution Date of current Version: Jan 1, 1989 Public Domain? Yes/No: No Copyright held by: Regents of the University of California Copyright Date: Jan 1, 1989 Greg Ward Lighting Systems Research Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory 1 Cyclotron Rd., 90-3111 Berkeley, CA 94720 Phone: (415) 486-4757 Email: GJWard@LBL.gov Price (Academic/Non-Profit): Free Price (Commercial, if available): Not yet available Support Provided: None. Author will accept mail & calls. Distribution Media: Send 1/4" data cartridge and self-addressed stamped envelope to above address. Is Object Code Provided? Yes/No: Yes Is Source Provided? Yes/No: No Is Source Available? Yes/No: Yes Compiler: Standard C Availability Restrictions: Academic and public research institutions only Hardware Requirements (List all that apply) - Sun Architecture (Sun3, Sun4, Sun386i): Sun3, Sun4 Mono/Grayscale/Color: Color or Grayscale Disk Space Requirement: 8 Meg Memory: 8 Meg Co-Processors: Floating point Other: Software Requirements (List all that apply) - Sun OS Release (3.x, 4.x): Any Languages: C Window Environment (SunView/X/NeWS): SunView, X Other: Accompanying Material: Online documentation Awards, Reviews or Published Papers (List award/date or journal title/date/page number): Computer Graphics "A Ray Tracing Solution for Diffuse Interreflection" August 1988 pp. 85-92 Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society "A New Technique for Computer Simulation of Illuminated Spaces" Winter 1988 pp. 80-91 If versions are available for other hardware platforms, list platforms: mVAX/ULTRIX Summary Description (30 words or less): Lighting calculation and image synthesis using advanced ray tracing. Scenes are built from polygons, cones, and spheres made of plastic, metal, and glass with optional patterns and textures. Detailed Description (250 words or less): RADIANCE was developed as a research tool for predicting the distribution of visible radiation in illuminated spaces. It takes as input a three-dimensional geometric model of the physical environment, and produces a map of spectral radiance values in a color image. The technique of ray tracing follows light backwards from the image plane to the source(s). Because it can produce realistic images from a simple description, RADIANCE has a wide range of applications in graphic arts, lighting design, engineering and architecture. The reflectance model accurately predicts both diffuse and specular interactions, making it a complete simulation applicable to the design of unusual electric- and day-lighting systems. Scenes are described by boundary representations with polygons, spheres and cones. Materials include plastic, metal, glass, and light. Textures and patterns can be described as functions or data. Additional programs (generators) produce descriptions of compound objects, and allow regular transformations and hierarchical scene construction. A 3D editor is being developed. The software package includes display programs for X, SunView, and the AED512, and comes with converters to Sun rasterfile and Targa formats. Code is provided for writing other drivers, and the list is expected to grow. Interface Description (what is it like to use the program): The software is well integrated with the UNIX environment. Many of the programs function as filters, with a reasonable degree of modularity. An interactive program provides quick views of the scene, useful for debugging and view determination. Scenes are described in a simple ascii format that is easy to edit and program. Generators are provided for boxes, worms, surfaces of revolution, prisms, and functional surfaces (eg. bicubic patches). A small library of patterns and textures is included. In general, the software is sensible but not mouse-based. Overall Goals of Developer: The primary goal of the program is the accurate simulation of light in architectural spaces. Secondary goals are image synthesis and geometric modeling. Efficiency is an important concern in any ray tracing method. Usage Information (e.g., what courses have been taught using this software, ideas on how to integrate the program into teaching): The software has been used in conjunction with courses on architectural modeling. Development History and Futures: The program started out as an after-hours project on a more efficient ray tracing technique. We plan to release the software to the general public in the third quarter of 1989. -Greg Ward