[python-RTC] Announcing Tracer v0.2

[Yosef Meller]

This is a one-time message to announce the availability of version 0.2
of the Tracer package.

About
---------
Tracer is a ray-tracing package for Python. It is geared toward solar
energy research; written for extensibility and scriptability, it is
particularly suitable for use together with optimization programs, but
your imagination is the limit.

Tracer is free-software, distributed under the GPL v3.0 license. You
are free to use, review the code or help improve it.

Features
-------------
The package contains two parts: a set of modules for building and
running ray tracing scenes; and a set of pre-assembled models.

The scene construction part provides:

* Assemblies of arbitrary complexity
* Surfaces with flat, spherical, cylindrical (new in v0.2) or
paraboloidal shapes; API for developing other shapes.
* Surface materials with specular-reflective or refractive surfaces;
API for developing more complex models
* Receiver surfaces for output collection.

The models included in the second part:

* One-side mirror
* Rectangular kaleidoscope light-guide
* Parabolic dishes with circular or hexagonal apertures.
* Heliostats field (new in v0.2).
* Spherical lens - any plano/convex/concave combination (new in v0.2).

In addition, the package contains basic tools for GUI generation using
MayaVi (new in v0.2).

More information
-------------------------
Project website: http://tracer.berlios.de/
Project mailing list: https://lists.berlios.de/mailman/listinfo/tracer-user