YafRay

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

YafRay

Developer:	Alejandro Conty Estévez
Latest release:	0.0.9 / July 17, 2006
OS:	Cross-platform
Use:	Raytracer
License:	LGPL
Website:	www.yafray.org

A YafRay rendering of piston engine parts modelled in Blender.

YafRay (Yet Another Free Raytracer) is a free, open source ray tracing program that uses an XML scene description language. It has recently been integrated into the 3D modelling software Blender, and so can now be used to render scenes made within it.

It is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL).

1 Features
- 1.1 Rendering
- 1.2 Architecture
2 See also
3 External links

[edit] Features

[edit] Rendering

Global Ilumination

YafRay uses global illumination to produce realistically lit renderings of 3D scenes, using Montecarlo-derived approximations.
Skydome Ilumination: This ilumination system is based mainly on light coming from an emitting sky, taking into account the soft shadows calculations also involved. The illumination can be obtained from a high dynamic range image.

Caustics: YafRay uses photon mapping that allows for Caustic (light distortion produced by reflection or transmission such as through a burning-glass). For simulating translucent materials there is also a subsurface scattering shader under development.

Depth of field: The effects of a focus depth of field can be reproduced using this feature. With a point in the scene fixed, further objects will be out of focus.

Blurry reflections: If a surface is not a perfect reflector, distortion arises in the reflected light. This distortion will grow bigger as the reflecting object is taken further away. YafRay can simulate this phenomenon.

[edit] Architecture

Modular framework: Yafray features a modular structure, with a kernel with which the rest of the render elements connect: scene loader, lights and shaders. This together with an API, allows development of rendering plug-ins, for using Yafray from any program or 3D suite. Supported suites include Blender, Wings 3D and Aztec.

Cross-platform: Yafray has been fully developed using C++. This makes for good portability and there are precompiled binaries for the most common platforms: GNU/Linux, Windows 9x/XP/2000, Mac OS X and Irix. Yafray can be used as a stand-alone render engine, using its own scene description format. This way it can be used from the command line directly, by a script, etc. There are also provisions for parallel or distributed rendering.