Realistic Water with POV-Ray

A surface of water animated by the wind:

This can also by "crackle" adding a different scaling in x- and y-direction and also by rotation in a direction rectangular to the wind:

We can get this effect by "bozo" using "turbulence" and scaling different in x and z directions and turning it crosswise to the direction of the wind:

normal { bozo 1.75
         scale <2.0,1,0.3>*0.20
         rotate<0,10,0>
         turbulence 0.9
         translate<0,0,-2>}

A surface of water animated by the wind:
Scene file for POV-Ray

A similar effect with "crackle":

normal {pigment_pattern{
             crackle
             colour_map { [0, rgb 0]
                          [1, rgb 1] }
             turbulence 1.7
             translate <0,0,1>}
             0.5}
       scale <2.0,1,0.3>*2
       rotate<0,10,0>}

A surface of water animated by the wind:
Scene file for POV-Ray

A partly transparent and partly reflecting surface of water:

In those cases where water appears as partly transparent and partly reflecting, this can be made by using the texture "Glass3" (clear water) or "Green_Glass" (green seaweed in the water!). In this case an underground should be defined - this has great influences to the appearance of the water surface.

// ground -----------------------------
plane{<0,1,0>, 0  translate<0,-3,0>
       texture{pigment{color LightWood}
               normal {bumps 0.25
                       scale 0.05}
               finish {ambient 0.45
                       diffuse 0.55}
               }// end of texture
       }// end of plane 1

// sea water --------------------------
plane{<0,1,0>, 0
      texture{ Green_Glass
              normal{ripples 0.3
                     scale 0.25
                     turbulence 0.75
                     translate< 1,0,2>}
              finish{ambient 0.45
                     diffuse 0.55
                     reflection 0.3}
             }// end of texture
     interior{I_Glass}
     }// end of plane 2
//-------------------------------------

Partly transparent and partly reflecting:
Description of this scene for POV-Ray

Concentric waves around a stake:

This can be done by the following:

// sea water --------------------------
plane{<0,1,0>, 0
      texture{ Green_Glass
              normal{ripples 0.3
                     scale 0.25
                     turbulence 0.5
                     translate< 1,0,2>}
              finish{ambient 0.45
                     diffuse 0.55
                     reflection 0.3}
             }// end of texture
     interior{I_Glass}
     }// end of plane 2
//-------------------------------------

Concentric waves around a stake.
Description of this scene for POV-Ray

part I | part II | part III