Revision 324813081 of "YafaRay" on enwiki

{{Infobox_Software
| name = YafaRay
| logo = [[Image:YafaRay logo.svg|180px]]
| screenshot = 
| caption = 
| developer = YafaRay developers
| latest_release_version = 0.1.1
| latest_release_date = {{release date and age|2009|06|23}}
| programming language   = [[C++]]
| operating_system = [[Cross-platform]]
| genre = [[Ray tracing (graphics)|Raytracer]]
| license = [[GNU Lesser General Public License|LGPL]]
| website = [http://www.yafaray.org/ www.yafaray.org]
}}

[[Image:Engine movingparts.jpg|200px|right|thumbnail|A YafaRay rendering of [[piston engine]] parts modelled in [[Blender (software)|Blender]].]]

'''YafaRay''' (originally '''YafRay''', '''Y'''et '''A'''nother '''F'''ree '''Ray'''tracer) is a [[free software|free]], [[open source]] [[Ray tracing (graphics)|ray tracing]] program that uses an [[XML]] scene description language. It has been integrated into the 3D modelling software [[Blender (software)|Blender]], and so can now be used to render scenes made within it directly, without the need for an exporter.

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

==History==


==Features==
===Rendering===
;Global Illumination
	
:YafRay uses [[global illumination]] to produce realistically lit renderings of 3D scenes, using [[Monte Carlo method|Montecarlo]]-derived approximations.
;Skydome Illumination	
:This illumination 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 imaging|high dynamic range image]].

;Caustics
:YafRay uses [[photon mapping]] that allows for [[Caustic (optics)|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 [[Reflection (physics)|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.

===Architecture===
;Modular framework
:Yafray features a modular structure, with a [[kernel (computer science)|kernel]] with which the rest of the render elements connect: scene loader, lights and shaders. This together with an [[Application Programming Interface|API]], allows development of rendering plug-ins, for using Yafray from any program or 3D suite. Supported suites include [[Blender (software)|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]], [[Microsoft Windows|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 computing|parallel]] or [[Distributed computing|distributed]] rendering.

==See also==
{{portal|Free software|Free Software Portal Logo.svg}} 

* [[POV-Ray]], another popular, free ray tracer.
* [[LuxRender]], an unbiased rendering system

==External links==
* [http://www.yafaray.org Official website]
* [http://yafaray.manojky.net/index_Rate.php Material Library]
* [http://yafaray.manojky.net Material Search]
* [http://tutorials.manojky.net/yafaray/YafarayMaterialUse.pdf Tutorial on How to use Yafaray Material]

[[Category:Free 3D graphics software]]
[[Category:Global illumination software]]
[[Category:Rendering systems]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in C++]]

{{graphics-software-stub}}

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