Attached is an image of a rendering made using POV-Ray. The bowls were modeled in Pro/E, and are actually members of a single family table.
I made these models to demonstrate the TRAJPAR function with parameters for a class. The main shape of the bowl is a single variable section sweep, and the patterns on the bottom are also variable section sweeps. There is a sketch relation which controls a single radius in the sweep section, giving the bowls their shape. I also added a revolve feature at the bottom as a rim for the bowls to sit on the table.
POV-Ray is Open-Source software (it is free), and you can get it at
www.povray.org .
To convert from Pro/E to POV-Ray, I use a utility called SLP2POV (also free, just enter that into google and you will find it) to convert the files. I then have to tweak the files it generates to give me the materials, camera angles and lighting I want.
A good rendering made in POV-Ray is better (in my opinion) than anything Pro/E can do. The downsides to POV-Ray are the learning curve to use it, the time it takes to properly set up a scene, and the time it takes to render (it is a true raytracer, so renderings can sometimes take over a day!). If you don't like writing code, you probably don't want to go anywhere near POV-Ray.
The image below took about 40 minutes to make from scratch, starting from the time I started Pro/E to the time I had a rendered scene. Before anyone asks, I don't have the original files, as I made this on the spot in a computer lab during a lecture.
To see some other Pro/E models rendered in POV-Ray, check out Duckman's CAD-Bikes at
www.dbbp.com (credit to Duckman himself for letting me find out about POV-Ray)
View attachment 1409
Edited by: markthemech