A set of computer simulations with a higher degree of realism is presented. These hyper-realistic simulations, used to teach basic concepts about color, were developed using the POV-Ray software. The main aim of these simulations is to provide our students with a didactic tool in addition to their traditional laboratory practice, which can be easily implemented in e-learning teaching platforms. The simulations of optical systems developed have resulted in graphical outputs that achieve photographic quality, which helped our students, even those with less capacity for abstraction, to combat misconceptions about color. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 330-332, 2016