GFA RAYTRACE 2.1    7.12.89

1.   GFA Raytrace 2.1 was recompiled with GFA Basic 3.0  Compiler 
     which  resulted in approx 30% reduction in calculation  time 
     and also 30% reduction in code size (about 32K smaller).

2.   Please   note   that  on  the  PROGRAM  disc  there   is   a  
     program LISTOBJ.PRG.   When run this program will offer  the 
     file  selector box,  so that you may enter a WF* file  name. 
     If you have a printer connected,   all of the colour  values 
     and positions of objects and lamps will be printed.

3.   It  has come to our attention that on Atari  Mega  ST,   the 
     HELP  key may not always work.   It is hoped that  this  bug 
     will be fixed  in the next update.

4.   SHOWANIM.PRG

     The  save  screen  function  "S",  in  the  SHOWANIM.PRG  is  
     not implented in this version.

5.   Some    animation demomonstrations on the data disk are  too  
     large   to  run on a 520ST.    The length  of  an  animation 
     sequence  depends upon the amount of memory available.

6.   SHOW512.OBJ

     The SHOW512.OBJ can not be run directly.  This is a  routine 
     that  can be called from GFA Basic programs to display  GFA-
     Raytrace  512  colour pictures.  An example GFA  program  is 
     contained  in the file SHOW512.LST. 

7.   Raytrace 2.1 now runs with TOS 1.4 and TOS 1.6.

8.   Changes are made to the routines to produce objects (spheres) 
     of the type "BRIGHT" to obtain better results (smoother 
     colour change)

9.   In  the  raytrace-menu  (F2) there is a  new  option  called 
     "RAINBOW"  which can be turned on or off by simply  clicking 
     in  the surrounding box.  This means that,  if you're  using 
     some coloured lamps,  the effect of each lamp on each object 
     will  be  bigger (normally when RAINBOW=OFF an effect  of  a 
     lamp on an object depends on the distance).  This results in 
     more  colourful pictures if you use several  coloured  lamps 
     and  white objects.

10.  Old object-types were: Dull/Bright/Mirrored.
     New types are: Dull/Bright/Mirrored/Transparent.

11.  To use transparency you select this item in the  'Material'-
     menu  (see manual) and select a percentage (% - like you  do 
     with Mirrored).  Default is 60%.  Transparency means you can 
     'look through' an object. So an object of that type will not 
     produce  a  full (black) shadow,  but a grey  one.  And  the 
     colour  of  that  object is a mixture of  the  object's  own 
     colour and what's behind it. The degree of mixing depends on 
     your  choice  (10% is hardly transparent,  100%  is  totally 
     transparent). 

Update  release information is available in the  independent  GFA 
User Magazine. GFA User also offers an update service for all GFA 
products to registered users only.

Registered owners of GFA Raytrace can purchase GFA Basic 2.0 
interpreter and compiler, direct from GFA for œ19.95, including 
post, packing and VAT.

Please submit orders direct to     GFA Data Media (UK) Ltd
                                   Box 121
                                   Wokingham
                                   Berkshire
                                   RG11 9LP

                                   (0734) 794941

Updates  of GFA Raytrace are also available from GFA  User,  Send 
3.00 pounds with original disks to receive latest update. This is 
version 2.0. You will also receive a free copy of the independent 
GFA  User Magazine.  Existing subscribers to GFA User can  update 
their GFA product at a reduced cost of 1.50 pounds.

For  articles  on GFA Raytrace and information on  public  domain 
raytraced images and utilities,  please refer to the  independent  
GFA User  Magazine. Available from:

     GFA User
     186 Holland Street
     Crewe 
     Cheshire
     CW1 3SJ

     Tel: 0270 256429