Volume 3:
Writing mental ray Shaders: A perceptual introduction
Andy Kopra
Contains cd-rom with mental ray standalone
Springer Verlag Wien New York
This book describes the creation and use of the software modules known as shaders in the mental ray rendering system. In mental ray, shaders can customize the entire rendering pipeline, from the simulated camera lens to object geometry and appearance and to the output of the final image.
Intended both for experienced programmers new to mental ray and for artists learning how to program, this book presents the various shader types in an intuitive order based on a model of visual perception. With over one hundred example shaders and their associated scene files and explanatory diagrams, both beginning and advanced shader programmers will find the book’s catalog of techniques useful in customizing mental ray.
Serving as a tutorial guide to the first two volumes in the "mental ray Handbooks" series, Volume 3 provides further information on any topic it discusses by detailed references to those previous books.
For additional information as well as downloads of the shader software and scene data used in the book please visit: www.writingshaders.com
Volume 2:
Programming mental ray
Thomas Driemeyer, Rolf Herken (eds.)
Third, revised edition (with cd-rom)
Springer Verlag Wien New York
This book is the definitive reference manual for mental ray version 2.1 and 3.1. It starts with a brief overview over the features of mental ray and continues with the specifications of the mental ray scene description language, the mental ray shader interface, and the integration interface for third-party applications. All material is presented in reference form, organized by grammar elements and C function call, rather than by feature set.
The book is intended for translator writers, shader writers, and integrators who are familiar with the C and C++ programming languages.
This third, revised edition was extended to cover the new generation of mental ray, version 3.4, throughout the book, and also includes the new mental ray integration manual.
The enclosed CD contains a full featured demo version of stand-alone mental ray and the mental ray library, as well as example shaders with source code and demo scenes, for a variety of computer platforms1.
Refer to the Errata page for corrections and updates.
Volume 1:
Rendering with mental ray
Thomas Driemeyer
Third, revised edition (with cd-rom)
Springer Verlag Wien New York
mental ray is the leading rendering engine for generating photorealistic images, built into many 3D graphics applications. This book, written by the mental ray software project leader, gives a general introduction into rendering with mental ray, as well as step-by-step recipes for creating advanced effects, and tips and tricks for professional users. A comprehensive definition of mental ray's scene description language and the standard shader libraries is included and used as the basis for all examples.
This third, revised edition was extended to cover the new generation of mental ray, version 3.4, throughout the book.
Refer to the Errata page for corrections and updates.