Revision 924414865 of "YafaRay" on enwiki

{{Infobox software
| name = YafaRay
| logo =
| screenshot = Engine movingparts.jpg
| caption = A YafaRay rendering of [[piston engine]] parts modelled in [[Blender (software)|Blender]]
| developer = YafaRay developers
| latest_release_version = 3.3.0
| latest_release_date = {{release date and age|2017|08|22}}
| status                 = Active
| programming language   = [[C++]], [[Python (programming language)|Python]]
| operating system       = [[Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Linux]]
| genre = [[Raytracer]], [[plug-in (computing)|plug-in]]
| license = [[GNU Lesser General Public License|LGPL]]
| website = {{URL|yafaray.org}}
}}

'''YafaRay''' (formerly '''Yafray''') is a [[Free and open-source software|free and open-source]] [[Ray tracing (graphics)|ray tracing]] program that uses an [[XML]] [[scene description language]]. There is a YafaRay addon for the 2.78 version of [[Blender (software)|Blender]]  3D modelling and animation software. It is licensed under the [[GNU Lesser General Public License]] (LGPL).

==History==

YafaRay's predecessor '''YafRay''' ('''Y'''et '''A'''nother '''F'''ree '''Ray'''tracer) was written by Alejandro Conty Estévez, and was first released in July 2002. The last version of YafRay was YafRay 0.0.9, released in 2006. Due to limitations of the original design, the raytracer was completely rewritten by Mathias Wein. The first stable version of the new raytracer, YafaRay 0.1.0, was released in October 2008.

==Features==

===Rendering===
;Global illumination
:YafaRay uses [[global illumination]] to produce realistically lit renderings of 3D scenes, using [[Monte Carlo method|Montecarlo]]-derived approximations.

;Skydome illumination
:The illumination system is based mainly on light coming from an [[Light emission|emitting]] sky, also taking into account [[Soft shadows|soft-shadow]] calculations involved. The illumination can be obtained from a [[High dynamic range imaging|high dynamic range image]] (HDRI).

;Caustics
:YafaRay uses a form of [[photon mapping]] that allows for [[Caustic (optics)|caustics]] (light distortion produced by reflection or transmission, such as through a [[burning glass]]). For simulating [[translucent]] materials, there is a [[subsurface scattering]] shader under development.

;Depth of field	
:[[Depth of field]] effects can be reproduced using [[focal distance]] and [[aperture]]. With a fixed point in the scene in focus, further objects will be out of focus.

;Blurry reflections
:If the material of 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. YafaRay can simulate this phenomenon.

===Architecture===
;Modular framework
:YafaRay features a [[Modular programming|modular structure]], with a [[kernel (computer science)|kernel]] the rest of the render elements (scene loader, lights and shaders) must connect to. This, together with an [[Application Programming Interface|API]], allows for the development of rendering [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] to enable the use of YafaRay from any program or 3D suite. YafaRay-supported software includes [[Blender (software)|Blender]], [[Wings 3D]], and [[Aztec (software)|Aztec]].

;Cross-platform
:YafaRay was developed in [[C++]]; this makes for good portability and there are [[Compiler|precompiled]] [[binaries]] for the most common platforms: [[GNU]]/[[Linux]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[Mac OS X]]. YafaRay can be used as a stand-alone [[Rendering (computer graphics)|render engine]], using its own scene description format. In this way it can be used directly from the [[command line]], called by a script, etc. There are also provisions for [[parallel computing|parallel]] and/or [[Distributed computing|distributed]] rendering.

==See also==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}

* [[POV-Ray]], another popular, [[free software|free]] ray tracer.
* [[LuxRender]], an unbiased rendering system
* [[Kerkythea]], a freeware rendering program that supports raytracing

==External links==
{{Commons category|YafaRay}}
* {{Official website|http://www.yafaray.org/}}
* [https://github.com/YafaRay Source code]
* [http://yafaray.manojky.net/legacy/index_Rate.php Material Library]
* [http://yafaray.manojky.net Material Search]

{{3D software}}
{{Software in the Public Interest}}

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