Posted-Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1993 10:48:11 -0800
Message-Id: <199303261848.AA29829@aerospace.aero.org>
To: rman@aero.org
Subject: Re: rman development
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1993 10:48:11 -0800
From: Daryll Strauss <strauss@aero.org>


[From Pixar Tech Support -- Your Friendly Moderator -- Daryll]

Henning Hoffmann writes:

> What is included in the RenderMan specification (the one for $20) that isn't
> in "The RenderMan Companion"? Specifically, does it give any info to
> developers of RenderMan renderers on how things should fit together?

        The RenderMan Interface Specification is far more terse and has
all of the niggly technical details that were glossed over in the
Companion.  It is also the definitive source in cases of disagreement.
The Spec does not give implementation details (it specifically stays
away from them).  It is an absolute requirement for anyone who expects
to write a RenderMan compatible renderer.

> In the back of "The RenderMan Companion" it says there's a Developer's
> RenderMan for MS-DOS. I've never heard anyone talk about it. Does it exist?
> How much does it cost? What does it include? Does it include a shader
> compiler (I don't want to have to write my own compiler!!)?

        Pixar used to sell this, at the same price as for Unix
platforms, $2500.  It was completely compatible with the Unix Toolkit,
so it includes the PhotoRealistic RenderMan renderer, display driver
development kit, shader compiler, various TIFF tools, documentation,
application notes, a Companion and a Spec, etc.  However, Pixar is in
the process of not supporting this anymore, so you'd better get it soon.
Contact Lola Gill at Pixar, (510)236-4000.

                                -- Mr. Anonymous