What to do if you don't have POV-Ray
This documentation assumes you already have POV-Ray installed and
running however the POV-Team does distribute this file by itself
in various formats including online on the internet.  If you
don't have POV-Ray or aren't sure you have the official version
or the latest version, then the following sections will tell you
what to get and where to get it.


Which Version of POV-Ray should you use?
POV-Ray can be used under MS-Dos, Windows 3.x, Windows for
Workgroups 3.11, Windows 95, Windows NT, Apple Macintosh 68k,
Power PC, Amiga, Linux, UNIX and other platforms.  The latest
versions of the necessary files are available on our web site
at http://www.povray.org and through various CD distributions. 
See section "Where to Find POV-Ray Files" for more info.  If 
your platform is not supported and you are proficient in compiling 
source code programs written in C then, see section "Compiling 
POV-Ray" for more information.


Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT
The Windows version runs under Windows 95, Windows 98, and
Windows NT4 also should run under OS/2 Warp.

Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups are no longer supported
however the MS-Dos version will run as a dos application under
those operating systems.

Required hardware and software:
  Minimum - 486/100 with 16mb RAM and Windows 95.
  Disk space - 15 megabytes
  
Required POV-Ray files:
  User archive POVWIN3.EXE - a self-extracting archive
     containing the program, sample scenes, standard include
     files and documentation. This file may be split into smaller
     files for easier downloading. Check the directory of your
     download or ftp site to see if other files are needed.
  
Recommended:
  Pentium 200 or Pentium II with 32mb and Windows 95 or NT4.
  SVGA display preferably with high color or true color ability
     and drivers installed.  (Note: accelerated graphics hardware
     will not improve performance.)
  
Optional: The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is
provided for the curious and adventurous.
  POVWIN_S.ZIP --- The C source code for POV-Ray for Windows.
     Contains generic parts and Windows specific parts. It does
     not include sample scenes, standard include files and
     documentation so you should also get the executable archive
     as well.  POV-Ray can only be compiled using C compilers
     that create 32-bit Windows applications. We support Watcom
     10.5a or higher, Borland 4.52/5.0 compilers.

MS-Dos & Windows 3.x
The MS-Dos version runs under MS-Dos or as a DOS application
under Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups 3.11. Although it
also runs under Windows 95/98/NT4 and OS/2 Warp, users of those
systems should use the Windows version..

Required hardware and software:
  A 386 or better CPU and at least 8 meg of RAM.
  About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond
     that for working space.
  A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files. The
     EDIT program that comes with MS-Dos will work for moderate
     size files.
  Graphic file viewer capable of viewing GIF and perhaps TGA and
     PNG formats.
  
Required POV-Ray files:
  POVMSDOS.EXE - a self-extracting archive containing the
     program, sample scenes, standard include files and
     documentation in plain ASCII text format. This file may be
     split into smaller files for easier downloading. Check the
     directory of your download or ftp site to see if other files
     are needed.
  
Recommended:
  Pentium 200 or Pentium II (faster the better) 32 meg or more
     RAM.  SVGA display preferably with VESA interface and high
     color or true color ability.    (Note: accelerated graphics
     hardware will not improve performance.)
  
Optional: The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is
provided for the curious and adventurous.
  POVMSD_S.ZIP - The C source code for POV-Ray for MS-Dos.
     Contains generic parts and MS-Dos specific parts. It does
     not include sample scenes, standard include files and
     documentation so you should also get the executable archive
     as well. Requires a C compiler that can create 32-bit
     protected mode applications. We support Watcom 11, Borland
     4.52 with DOS Power Pack and DJGPP 2.

Linux for Intel x86
Required hardware and software:
  A 386 or better CPU and at least 8 meg of RAM.
  About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond
     that for working space.
  A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
  Graphic file viewer capable of viewing PPM, TGA or PNG
     formats.
  Any recent (1994 onwards) Linux kernel and support for ELF
     format binaries. POV-Ray for Linux is not in a.out-format.
     ELF libraries libc.so.6, libm.so.6 and one or both of
     libX11.so.6 or libvga.so.1.
  
Required POV-Ray files:
  POVLINUX.TGZ or POVLINUX.TAR.GZ - archive containing an
     official binary for each SVGALib and X-Windows modes. Also
     contains sample scenes, standard include files and
     documentation in plain ASCII text.
  
Recommended:
  Pentium 200 or Pentium II (faster the better) 32 meg or more
     RAM.  SVGA display preferably with VESA interface and high
     color or true color ability.  If you want display, you'll
     need either SVGALib or X-Windows.  (Note: accelerated
     graphics hardware will not improve performance.)
  
Optional: The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is
provided for the curious and adventurous.
  POVUNI_S.TAR.GZ or POVUNI_S.TGZ - The C source code for POV-
     Ray for Linux. Contains generic parts and Linux specific
     parts. It does not include sample scenes, standard include
     files and documentation so you should also get the
     executable archive as well.  Requires the GNU C compiler and
     (optionally) the X include files and libraries.
  

Apple Macintosh
The MacOS versions run under Apple's MacOS operating system
version 7.1 or newer, on any 68020/030/040-based Macintosh-
compatible computer (with or without a floating point
coprocessor) or any of the PowerPC Macintosh-compatible
computers.

Required hardware and software:
  A 68020 or better CPU without a floating point unit (LC or
     Performa or Centris series); at least 8 MB RAM or
  A 68020 or better CPU *with* a floating point unit (Mac II or
     Quadra series); at least 8 MB RAM or
  Any PowerPC Macintosh computer and at least 8 MB RAM.
  System 7.1 or newer and color QuickDraw (System 6 is no longer
     supported). 
  Appearance Extension is also required now. This comes standard 
     in MacOS 8, but can be downloaded from Apple's web 
     site <http://developer.apple.com/sdk/> and installed on any 
     Mac running 7.1 or newer.
  Navigation Services is not required, but will enhance the 
     open/save dialogs if it is present.  It is also a free 
     extension available from Apple's web site, which can be used 
     in 7.5.5 or newer.
  About 6 MB free disk space to install and an additional 2-10
     MB free space for your own creations (scenes and images).
  Graphic file viewer utility capable of viewing Mac PICT, GIF
     and perhaps TGA and PNG formats (the shareware
     GraphicConverter or GIFConverter applications are good.)
  
Required POV-Ray files:
  POVMACNF.SIT or POVMACNF.SIT.HQX - a Stuffit archive
     containing the non-FPU 68K Macintosh application, sample
     scenes, standard include files and documentation (slower
     version for Macs without an FPU) or
  POVMAC68.SIT or POVMAC68.SIT.HQX - a Stuffit archive
     containing the FPU 68K Macintosh application, sample scenes,
     standard include files and documentation (faster version for
     Macs WITH an FPU) or
  POVPMAC.SIT or POVPMAC.SIT.HQX - a Stuffit archive containing
     the native Power Macintosh application, sample scenes,
     standard include files and documentation.
  
Recommended:
  68030/33 or faster with FPU, or any Power Macintosh
  8 MB or more RAM for 68K Macintosh;
  16 MB or more for Power Macintosh systems.
  Color monitor preferred, 256 colors OK, but thousands or
     millions of colors is even better.
  
Optional: The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is
provided for the curious and adventurous. POV-Ray can be compiled
using Apple's MPW 3.3, Metrowerks CodeWarrior Pro or Symantec 8.
  POVMACS.SIT or POVMACS.SIT.HQX - The full C source code for
     POV-Ray for Macintosh. Contains generic parts and Macintosh
     specific parts. It does not include sample scenes, standard
     include files and documentation so you should also get the
     executable archive as well.

Amiga
The Amiga version comes in several flavors, 68000/68020 without
FPU, (not recommended, very slow) 68020/68030 with fpu, 68040 and 
68060. There's two way to use Pov: Shell only and using the
provided GUI interface which requires MUI 3.8. All versions run
under OS3.x and up. Support exists for pensharing and window
display under OS3.x with 256 color palettes, plus CyberGraphics
and Picasso 96 24-bit display.

Required:
  At least 4 meg of RAM.
  At least 2 meg of hard disk space for the necessities, 5-20
     more recommended for workspace.
  An ASCII text editor, GUI configurable to launch the editor of
     your choice.
  Graphic file viewer - POV-Ray outputs to PNG, Targa (TGA), and
     PPM formats.  POV-Ray Amiga can load any image format with 
     Picture.Datatype V43 and the appropriate datatype.
  
Required POV-Ray files:
  POVAMIx0.LHA -- a LHA archive containing executable, sample
     scenes, standard include files, and documentation for the
     680x0 version of POV-Ray (i.e.: POVAMI60.LHA stands for
     68060 version); 68020 version needs FPU.

Recommended:
  8 meg or more of RAM.
  68030 & 68882 or higher processor.
  24bit display card (CyberGFX and Picasso 96 library supported)
  
Amiga PowerPC version of POV-Ray is now in beta testing. Watch
www.povray.org for further news.

Optional: The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is
provided for the curious and adventurous.
  POVAMI_S.LHA --- The C source code for POV-Ray for Amiga.
     Contains generic parts and Amiga specific parts. It does not
     include sample scenes, standard include files, and
     documentation so you should also get the executable archive
     as well.

SunOS
Required hardware and software:
  A Sun SPARC processor and at least 4 meg of RAM.
  About 6 meg disk space to install and 2-10 meg or more beyond
     that for working space.
  Graphic file viewer capable of viewing PPM, TGA or PNG
     formats.
  A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
  SunOS 4.1.3 or other operating system capable of running such
     a binary (Solaris or possibly Linux for Sparc).
  
Required POV-Ray files:
  POVSUNOS.TGZ or POVSUNOS.TAR.GZ - archive containing an
     official binary for each text-only and X-Windows modes. Also
     contains sample scenes, standard include files and
     documentation.
  
Recommended:
  8 meg or more RAM.
  If you want display, you'll need X-Windows or an X-Term.-
     preferably 24-bit TrueColor display ability, although the X
     display code is known to work with ANY combination of visual
     and color depth.
  Graphic file viewer capable of viewing PPM, TGA or PNG
     formats.
  
Optional: The source code is not needed to use POV-Ray. It is
provided for the curious and adventurous.
  POVUNI_S.TGZ or POVUNI_S.TAR.GZ - The C source code for POV-
     Ray for UNIX.  Contains generic parts and Unix/Linux
     specific parts. It does not include sample scenes, standard
     include files and documentation so you should also get the
     executable archive as well. You will need a C compiler and
     (optionally) the X include files and libraries and knowledge
     of how to use it. Although we provide source code for
     generic Unix systems, we do not provide technical support on
     how to compile the program.

Generic Unix
Because Unix runs on a wide variety of hardware and CPUs, the POV-
Team cannot provide executable versions for every type of Unix.
We distribute generic Unix source code in portable ANSI C source
code.  You will need a C compiler and (optionally) the X include
files and libraries and knowledge of how to use it. Although we
provide source code for generic Unix systems, we do not provide
technical support on how to compile the program.

Required:
  POVUNI_S.TGZ or POVUNI_S.TAR.GZ - The C source code for POV-
     Ray for UNIX.  Contains generic parts and Unix/Linux
     specific parts. It does not include sample scenes, standard
     include files and documentation so you should also get an
     executable archive for another platform or get
  POVUNI_D.TGZ or POVUNI_D.TAR.GZ which contains the sample
     scenes, standard include files and documentation.
  A C compiler for your computer and KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO USE IT.
  Graphic file viewer capable of viewing PPM, TGA or PNG
     formats.
  A text editor capable of editing plain ASCII text files.
  
Recommended:
  Math co-processor.
  8 meg or more RAM.
  
Optional:
  X Windows if you want to be able to display as you render.
  You will need the X-Windows include files as well. If you're
     not familiar with compiling programs for X-Windows you may
     need some help from someone who is knowledgeable at your
     installation because the X include files and libraries are
     not always in a standard place.

All Versions
Each executable archive includes full documentation for POV-Ray
itself as well as specific instructions for using POV-Ray with
your type of platform. All versions of the program share the same
ray-tracing features like shapes, lighting and textures. In other
words, an MS-Dos-PC can create the same pictures as a Cray
supercomputer as long as it has enough memory. The user will want
to get the executable that best matches their computer hardware.

In addition to the files listed above, the POV-Team also
distributes the user documentation in two alternate forms.  Note
this is the same documentation distributed in other archives but
in a different format.  This may be especially useful for MS-Dos
or Unix users because their documentation is plain ASCII text
only.
  POVUSER.PDF - Tutorial and Reference documentation in Adobe
     Acrobat PDF format.  Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader available
     for Windows 3.x, Windows 95/98/NT, Mac and some Unix
     systems.  Go to
     http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html to get
     the reader for free.
  POVHTML.ZIP - Archive containing Tutorial and Reference
     documentation in html for viewing with any internet browser.
  POV31W97.ZIP - Archive containing Tutorial and Reference
     documentation in Microsoft Word 97 format.

See the section "Where to Find POV-Ray Files" for where to find
these files. You can contact those sources to find out what the
best version is for you and your computer.

Where to Find POV-Ray Files
The latest versions of the POV-Ray software are available from
the following sources.

World Wide Website www.povray.org
The internet home of POV-Ray is reachable on the World Wide Web
via the address http://www.povray.org and via ftp as
ftp.povray.org. Please stop by often for the latest files,
utilities, news and images from the official POV-Ray internet
site.

The comp.graphics.rendering.raytracing newsgroup has many
competent POV-Ray users that are very willing to share their
knowledge. They generally ask that you first browse a few files
to see if someone has already answered the same question, and of
course, that you follow proper "netiquette". If you have any
doubts about the qualifications of the folks that frequent the
group, a few minutes spend at the Ray Tracing Competition pages
at www.povray.org will quickly convince you!

Also the POV-Team operates its own news server on the internet 
with several news groups related to POV-Ray and other interesting
programs.  For more information about the server 
see http://www.povray.org/groups.html.

Books, Magazines and CD-ROMs
Unfortunately all English language books on POV-Ray are out of 
print and there are no plans to reprint them.  However there 
is now a POV-Ray 3.02 book and CD-ROM available in Japanese.  
It talks about the Windows and Mac versions of POV-Ray, and 
various utilities.  The CD-ROM is dual format, Windows/Mac. 
It was written in Japan by Hideki Komuro-san, and published 
by ASCII Corp. in June 1998, ISBN 4-7561-1831-3.

Many popular computer magazines have been authorized to 
distribute POV-Ray on cover CDs.  Note that such distributions
of the official version of POV-Ray is permitted under the terms
of the General License in the file POVLEGAL.DOC.  The POV-Team 
does not endorse the distributor or its products.  The POV-Team 
receives no compensation for this distribution.

The POV-Team does endorse some CD-ROMs containing POV-Ray which
are prepared by team members.  A portion of the proceeds from
these CDs support our internet sites and other team activities.
You can always find the latest information on what is available
at our web site www.povray.org.
