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 over CompuServe, Internet, and 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.
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.
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.
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.5, libm.so.5 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.
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).
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 POV-Ray files:
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.
The Amiga version comes in several flavors, 68000/68020 without FPU, (not recommended, very slow) 68020/68881(68882), 68030/68882 and 68040. 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 CybeGFX 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, converters from the PPMBIN distribution are included to convert these to IFF ILBM files.
The ixemul.libraries for certain compile of Pov. It is provided with Pov main program when needed.
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 the CompuServe forum or ww.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.
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.
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.
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.htmll for viewing with any internet browser.
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.