TITLE: Meeting the Phi
NAME: Benjamin Jackson
COUNTRY: US
EMAIL: bjackson@cs.iastate.edu
WEBPAGE: www.public.iastate.edu/~zbbrox
TOPIC: First Encounters
COPYRIGHT: I SUBMIT TO THE STANDARD RAYTRACING COMPETITION COPYRIGHT
JPGFILE: koluvian.jpg
ZIPFILE: koluvian.zip
RENDERER USED: 
    POV-Ray v3.1 for Windows

TOOLS USED: 
    none

RENDER TIME: 
    12 07 08

HARDWARE USED: 
    AMD-K6 350 Mhz/128 ram

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: 


Each Koluvian, upon reaching adolescence, must navigate the great maze 
on the planet Philin to find a life-time Phi (pronounced 'fee') companion.  
The Phi and Koluvian have a mutually beneficial relationship, the Phi as a 
steadying influence, the Koluvian as a vessle off the planet. As recently as 
150 years ago, this quest could take the life of the young Koluvian, however
now
the child is pulled out of the maze after 3 days if unsuccessful in his search.

This image is a recreation of the first encounter between the Phi and 
Koluvian.  No actual pictures have ever been taken of the event, but the 
representation is based on many descriptions of the occasion.


DESCRIPTION OF HOW THIS IMAGE WAS CREATED: 


The Koluvian was modeled first, using variables for the rotation and position
of all apendages.  The model has 44 moving parts used to pose the
figure.  I had orriginally planned on using the model in multiple places on
my web page in varrying poses.  I especially wanted the eyes to be expressive,
even including a dialation parameter.  I next worked out the textures for the
model.
My main goal was a contrasting and vibrant image upon completion.
I then posed the figure bending over and picking up the Phi.

The Phi itself is a simple ball of transmitting media with a partially
transparent 
outer shell.  There are two light sources in the ball for a more contrasting
lighting 
effect. Only one of the light sources interacts with the atmospheric media.  A
third
light source adds a soft illumination from the direction of the camera.

The final touches dramatize the image a bit.  I chose a camera angle from the
Phi's
perspective.  The atmosphere also adds to the drama of the moment.

The model is admittedly simple.  I had not planned on using it this close up,
however I
did not have time to redo the design.