Library
The Library macros
(gt_library.zip) were developed for the Lilith
picture. They were meant to generate in a random fashion a whole library containing
hundreds or thousands of books without having to create and position each one manually.
There are 3 macros working together: MakeBook, MakeShelf and MakeLibrary. These macros can
also be used independently. For a complete documentation, please refer to each file. Note
that these macros were developed for a very specific objective and are therefore not
exhaustive in terms of library modelling.
The zip file contains also two demo files: library_new.pov
creates a library of modern style books while library_old.pov creates a library of old
style books.
MakeBook macro
- The MakeBook macro creates a book of a given size. The books
are primarily designed to be placed on a shelf, so that only their back is visible (and
sometimes their top). The covers and pages have simplistic textures, and the book cannot
be opened.
- The books exist in 2 flavours: old style and modern style. Old
style books have dark colours, a golden trim and round bindings, while modern style books
have bright colours and flatter bindings.
- The titles are chosen randomly in the "titles.txt"
file. You can edit this file to add your own titles. The only requirement is that the
titles must be between "" and that they are separated by commas.
- The fonts are chosen randomly in the "fonts.txt"
file. You can also edit this file and you'll probably need to if you use an operating
system other than Windows, since the "fonts.txt" file contains the full paths
and names for the fonts. Note than since these macros are made for POV-Ray 3.1, the
positionning of the text is imprecise. Megapov and later versions of POV contain text
functions that could be used to improve MakeBook.
- The patterns for the old books are rather complex, with bands
of a main colour separated by bands or dots of gold or of another dark colour.
- The patterns for the modern books are much simpler, with only
two colours in a somehow square pattern.
MakeShelf macro
- The MakeShelf macro arranges the books on a row of given
length. The shelf extends along the x axis and the back of the books face the -z
direction. The macro doesn't create the supporting structure (this is done by the
MakeLibrary macro).
- The MakeShelf algorithm creates rows (sets) of books leaning
on each other in a particular direction (right or left) and joins the subsequent sets to
form an entire shelf. The algorithm makes the book slide on each other in a semi-realistic
way.
- A set may be made of different books, or of the same book
repeated several times (series).
MakeLibrary macro
- The MakeLibrary macro creates a entire library by superposing
a variable number of shelves of variable heights.
Below are demonstration pictures generated by the library_new.pov
and library_old.pov scene files.
