\chapter{PERIPHERAL DEVICES} Before we discuss the features of MGED, we will introduce the hardware devices used to implement them. These devices are the ``tools of the trade'' for the MGED user. We will discuss only basic operational characteristics here. Specific use of these devices will be covered in the later sections on the viewing and editing features of MGED. \section{Joystick} The joystick is a mechanical device used to do rotations in MGED. Any movement left or right rotates the display about the X-axis. Any movement up or down rotates the display about the Y-axis. When the joystick top is twisted in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the display rotates about the Z-axis. Any combination motion of the joystick will produce a ``combined'' rotation about the appropriate axes. As implemented on the Vector General hardware, all of these motions have a spring return to a null center position. \section{Button Box} The button box contains a collection of buttons. On each button is a light that can be lit under program control. Pressing a button sends a ``press'' event to MGED, and results in an action occurring, or a condition being set. The exact functions assigned to these buttons will be discussed in the sections on viewing the display and on editing. \subsection{Vector General Buttons} \begin{figure} \centering \includegraphics{fig-vg-buttons.ps} \caption{Vector General Button Assignments} \label{vg-buttons} \end{figure} \begin{figure} \centering \includegraphics{fig-sgi-buttons.ps} \caption{Silicon Graphics Button Assignments} \label{sgi-buttons} \end{figure} % \gluein 4.5in by 4.5in, Vector General Button Assignments, vg-buttons. % XXX \gluein 4.5in by 4in, Megatek Dial and Button Box, mg-buttons. The Vector General has thirty-two buttons. Figure \ref{vg-buttons} depicts the functions programmed for each button. The buttons in the shaded area are used for editing while the rest are used for viewing the display. \subsection{Megatek Buttons} \begin{figure}[tbp] \begin{tabular}{rl} Button & Function\\ \\ 1 & View Mode: Restores View \\ & Edit Mode: Translation in the Object-Edit mode \\ 2 & View Mode: Saves View \\ & Edit Mode: Translation in the Object-Edit mode \\ 3 \\ & Edit Mode: Saves the model being displayed on the screen \\ 4 & Off: Viewing mode \\ & On: Edit mode \\ 5 & View Mode: Resets View \\ & Edit Mode: Scaling in the Object-Edit mode \\ 6 \\ & Edit Mode: Rotation in the Object-Edit mode \\ 7 & View Mode: Angle/Distance Cursor \\ & Edit Mode: Translation in the Object-Edit mode \\ 8 \\ & Edit Mode: Rejects display and returns to Viewing display \\ 9 & View Mode: Bottom View \\ & Edit Mode: Scaling in the Solid-Edit mode \\ 10 & View Mode: Left View \\ & Edit Mode: Rotation in the Solid-Edit mode \\ 11 & View Mode: Rear View \\ & Edit Mode: Translation in the Solid-Edit mode \\ 12 & View Mode: 90, 90 View \\ & Edit Mode: Restores Edit mode menu \\ 13 & View Mode: Top View \\ & Edit Mode: Transfers from Viewing to Solid Pick \\ 14 & View Mode: Right View \\ & Edit Mode: Transfers from Viewing to Object Pick \\ 15 & View Mode: Front View \\ \\ 16 & View Mode: 35/45 View \end{tabular} \caption{Megatek Buttons \label{mg-button-table} } \end{figure} The Megatek button box is a general purpose input/output device that communicates with MGED through an intelligent control unit. The device has eight rotatable knobs and 16 buttons with lights. % XXX See Figure \ref{mg-buttons}. The ``buttons'' and ``knobs'' of the Megateks are located in the same box. There are not enough buttons to have just one assigned meaning, hence most buttons have dual functions. To toggle the functions of the buttons, use the upper right button (toggle button). When the light on this button is ON, the functions listed on the RIGHT above each button is the current function. When the light on the ``toggle'' button is OFF, the functions labeled on the LEFT are then in effect. The left/right meaning of these buttons is grouped generally according to viewing functions on the left and editing functions on the right. Figure \ref{mg-button-table} summarizes the uses of the buttons. Depressing the button switches the light on and off. Many of these serve a dual role depending upon the selected mode - viewing or editing. The mode is selected by depressing button 4. If light 4 is off, the system is performing in the viewing mode, and the commands shown in the top half of the table are executed. If light 4 is on, the system is performing in the edit mode, and the commands shown in the bottom half are executed. \subsection{Silicon Graphics Buttons} The button box layout for the SGI Iris is given in Figure \ref{sgi-buttons}. Note that the ``right'' button shows you the right side of the model, as if you were looking in from the left. To achieve the customary draftsman views, this function goes on the left. The upper left button is the {\bf help} key. If this button is held down, and any other button (or knob) is activated, a descriptive string is displayed in the eight character LED display on the button box. The upper right button is used to reset all the knobs to zero. This is useful to halt a runaway rotation or zoom operation. %\begin{figure}[tbp] %{\tt \begin{verbatim} % |---------|---------|---------|---------| % | | | | Zero | % | Help | ADC | Reset | Knobs | %|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------| %| Obj | Obj | Obj | Obj | | Save | %| Scale | ScaleX | ScaleY | ScaleZ | empty | View | %|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------| %| Obj | Obj | Obj | Obj | | Restore | %| TransX | TransY | TransXY | Rotate | empty | View | %|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------| %| Solid | Solid | Solid | Solid | Obj | Solid | %| Trans | Rot | Scale | Menu | Pick | Pick | %|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------| %| REJECT | Bottom | Top | Rear | 90,90 | ACCEPT | %|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------| % | Right | Front | Left | 35,25 | % |---------|---------|---------|---------| %\end{verbatim} } %\caption{Silicon Graphics Button Layout \label{XXsgi-buttons} } %\end{figure} \section{Knobs (Dials)} The knobs (or control dials) are used to send digital information to the computer. As a knob is turned, a succession of numbers are available for use by the computer. The knobs can be used to rotate a displayed object about the x, y, or z axis, translate the object along the x or y axis, and change the size of the view. Action performed by these knobs is continuous and is initiated by turning the knob in the proper direction and terminated by turning the knob in the opposite direction. \subsection{Vector General Knobs} \begin{figure} \centering \includegraphics{fig-vg-knobs.ps} \caption{Vector General Knob Assignments} \label{vg-knobs} \end{figure} \begin{figure} \centering \includegraphics{fig-sgi-knobs.ps} \caption{Silicon Graphics Knob Assignments} \label{sgi-knobs} \end{figure} % \gluein 4.5in by 3.5in, Vector General Knobs, vg-knobs. % \gluein 4.5in by 3.5in, Silicon Graphics Knobs, sgi-knobs. Figure \ref{vg-knobs} depicts the functions assigned to each of the ten knobs. The exact functions of each of these knobs will be discussed in the angle distance cursor section and in the viewing features section. \subsection{Megatek Knobs} The ``buttons'' and ``knobs'' of the Megateks are located in the same box. % XXX as shown in Figure \ref{mg-buttons}. There are not enough knobs to have ONE assigned meaning, hence three knobs have dual functions. The second function of the first three knobs is only in effect when the angle-distance cursor (ADC) is on the screen. \subsection{Silicon Graphics Knobs} Figure \ref{sgi-knobs} depicts the functions assigned to the eight knobs on the Silicon Graphics knob box. In normal operation, the left knobs provide rotations, and the right knobs provide translations and zooming. When the angle/distance cursor is activated, some of the knobs are redefined. \section{Mouse or Data Tablet} Moving the mouse or the data tablet ``pen'' causes a cursor on the screen to move. The screen X-Y coordinates of the cursor can be sensed by MGED at any time. Clicking one of the mouse buttons, or depressing the tip of the pen, results in MGED receiving a special event notification. The meaning of this mouse event depends on the current editing mode and which portion of the display faceplate that the cursor is located in. Below is a list of some of the functions the mouse is used for in MGED; \begin{itemize} \item Selecting editing menus, edit functions (move faces, move edges etc.) and viewing functions (selected from main edit menu); move pointer to appropriate edit function and press center mouse button. \item Pointing functions; interactively positioning solid primitive relative to other solids with positioning or size update being displayed at the same time, position pointer where required and click center mouse button. \item Scaling of view size; enlarge or reduce for a more detailed view of object, left button shrinks view size, right button enlarges view size. \item During the solid or object illuminate phase of editing, the screen is divided into invisible horizontal sections. The available selections are scanned by moving the mouse up and down. \item When MGED is is the viewing state, and a mouse event is received which is not in the menu area of the faceplate, the point at which the cursor is pointing at will be translated to become the center of the current view. By pointing and clicking the center mouse button, the center of the viewing cube can be moved to allow close-up viewing of different areas in your model. \end{itemize} \subsection{Vector General Data Tablet} Position information is entered using a pen-like stylus. The distance this pen is from the tablet is important. If the pen tip is within one half inch of the tablet surface, the cursor location on the screen corresponds to the X,Y location of the pen on the tablet. This condition is called the ``near'' position. If the pen is more than one half inch from the tablet surface, the cursor remains located in the center of the screen. When the pen is pressed against the tablet surface, the pressure switch is activated and a ``mouse'' event is sent to MGED. \subsection{Megatek Data Tablet} Some Megatek systems enter position data on the data tablet using a pen-like stylus. If the tip of the stylus is within one-half inch of the surface of the tablet, a ``star'' corresponding to this location is displayed on the display screen. If the tip is moved more than one-half inch from the surface, the position of the star remains fixed. When the stylus is pressed against the tablet surface, the pressure switch is activated and a ``mouse'' event is sent MGED. Other Megatek data tablets have a mouse instead of a pen. This mouse has four buttons on it. The yellow (top) button is used during illumination and editing just as the pen on the Vector General terminals. However, in the viewing mode, when pushed, the point which it was pointing at will be drawn at the center of the screen. The blue (bottom) button has this same function at ALL times and is used to ``slew'' the display during editing. The white (left) and the green (right) buttons on the mouse are used for zooming the display at a fixed rate. The white button will zoom out and the green button will zoom in. \subsection{Silicon Graphics Mouse} The left and right mouse buttons are used for binary (2x) zooming, and the center mouse button is used for all other MGED mouse functions. On the Silicon Graphics 3-D workstations, MGED can be run directly, or it can be run under the window manager MEX. In both cases, MGED opens two windows, one outlined in white for all text interaction, and one outlined in yellow for all graphics display. When running MGED directly (without MEX), all mouse events are sent the MGED, regardless of where the mouse is pointing. In order to shift emphasis between the graphics and text windows, the smaller one can be enlarged by pointing the cursor within the boundaries of the smaller window, and pressing the center button. This enlarges that window, and reduces the size of the other window. When MEX is running, it is necessary to follow the MEX convention of moving the cursor into the desired window, and clicking the right mouse button, to ``attach'' all input to that window. This has the unfortunate consequence of requiring a lot of extra mouse clicking, because the graphics window needs to be attached when using the buttons, knobs, and mouse, while the text window needs to be attached in order to enter keyboard commands. On the Silicon Graphics 4-D workstations running 4Sight, mouse events are sent to MGED only when the cursor is within the boundaries of the MGED graphics window. \subsection{Sun Workstation Mouse} On the Sun workstation, MGED must be run in a {\bf suntools} window. The main consequence of this is that mouse events are sent to MGED only when the cursor is within the boundaries of the MGED graphics window on the screen. The left and right mouse buttons are used for binary (2x) zooming, and the center mouse button is used for all other MGED mouse functions. \section{Keyboard} The keyboard is used to issue commands and supply parameters to MGED. It is also used to login and logout of the UNIX system, and to run other UNIX programs. All characters typed on the keyboard, with the exception of the user's password, are displayed (echoed) on the monitor. In this text, all input typed by the user is shown in {\em italics}, while all literal MGED output is shown in {\tt typewriter font}. All entries are terminated by depressing the RETURN key. This action immediately precedes the execution of the directive. In most cases, lower case letters must be used. A space must be used between the command and its arguments. Embedded blanks are not allowed. Entering Control/H causes cursor to backspace and erase entered information. An MGED command is interrupted by entering Control/C. End-of-File is sent to MGED by entering Control/D. The graphics editor displays the prompt \begin{verbatim} mged> \end{verbatim} on the display whenever it is ready to accept a command from the keyboard. \chapter{OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS} \section{Entering the Graphics Editor} Type {\em mged filename}, e.g.: \begin{verbatim} mged s_axle.g mged shaft.g mged fred.g \end{verbatim} where the filename is the name of the UNIX file in which your object description data is stored. It is conventional that the extension ``.g'' on the filename signifies a graphics file, and is a good practice, but is not required. If the named database does not already exist, MGED will ask if it should create a new database. MGED will ask: {\tt \begin{verse} \% {\em mged new.g} \\ BRL-CAD Release 3.0 Graphics Editor (MGED) \\ \ \ \ \ Tue Sep 6 02:52:55 EDT 1988 \\ \ \ \ \ mike@video:/cad/mged.4d \\ new.g: No such file or directory \\ Create new database (y|n)[n]? {\em y} \\ attach (nu|tek|tek4109|ps|plot|sgi)[nu]? {\em sgi} \\ ATTACHING sgi (SGI 4d) \\ Untitled MGED Database (units=mm) \\ mged> \end{verse} } Here, the {\em italic} type indicates the user's response: {\em y} instructs MGED to create the new database, and {\em sgi} instructs MGED to attach to a window on the Silicon Graphics (SGI) workstation. Directives to the graphics editor are made by \begin{enumerate} \item entering information from the keyboard, shown here in the text by the use of {\em italics}, \item using the stylus to select items from the menu (select), and \item pressing buttons and twisting knobs on the function control box (press, twist). \end{enumerate} The prompt for a command is {\tt mged>}. \subsection{Running MGED on a Silicon Graphics} When running MGED from the console of a Silicon Graphics workstation, MGED retains the text window from which it was started, and opens a second window for the graphics display. By default, the graphics window is quite large, and the text window is rather small. On the SGI 3-d workstations, should you wish to have a large text window to scan printed output, move the mouse pointer into the text window and click the center mouse button. Use the reverse procedure to regain a large graphics window, i.e., move the mouse pointer into the graphics window and click the center mouse button. \subsection{Running MGED on a Tektronix} To run MGED on the tek4014 class of terminals one needs to have TWO terminals - the graphics terminal (4014 or one which emulates a 4014) and another terminal to enter commands on. The procedure is as follows: \begin{enumerate} \item login on the graphics terminal \item enter {\em tty} to find out which terminal number has been assigned \item enter {\em sleep 32000} to put the graphics terminal in sleep mode \item login on the other terminal \item enter {\em mged file} to execute MGED \item enter {\em tek} to select the tek4014 device processor \item enter the tty value found in step 2. \item perform editing \item enter {\em q} to quit MGED \item enter control-c on the graphics terminal to end the sleep mode \item logout on both terminals \end{enumerate} Since there are no knobs or buttons on the tek4014 class of terminals, one is forced to use the {\em press} and {\em knob} commands to emulate these peripherals. Other commands which can/should be used are: \begin{tabular}{rl} ill & put up a desired path \\ center & slew the display \\ size & zoom the display \\ sed & solid edit immediately \end{tabular} The main force behind the writing of a driver for the tek4014 terminals was to allow the use of the Teletype 5620 terminals. These graphic terminals have an internal processor and different windows can be set up which represent different terminals. Hence two terminals are NOT necessary. The use of the Teletype 5620 terminals is then the same as the procedure outlined above, except each window represents a terminal. \section{The Pop-Up Button Menu} The default MGED faceplate is shown in Figure \ref{faceplate}. If the BUTTON MENU area on the screen is selected with the mouse, then the pop-up button menu appears, as shown in Figure \ref{buttonmenu}. This menu can be very useful in reducing the amount of hand motion between the mouse and the button box. \section{Starting Your Model} Modeling practices using MGED can be quite individual. The following is a suggested modeling method to start with; you may end up developing your own style as you become more familiar with MGED. First of all, decide how you want to represent your model, including the amount of detail, types of solids and regions necessary. Have an accurate sketch or engineering drawing available, so that you can easily transfer its information into the types of primitive solids necessary to create your model. Where possible it is recommended to start with a large block solid and ``subtract'' pieces from it. In this way you avoid errors with abutting faces of a collection of solids ``unioned'' together. Next the solids are created using the {\em make}, {\em cp}, {\em mirror} or {\em in} commands. Depending on the complexity of the model, the solids may be created in the desired location or created at the origin and later translated to the desired location. Creation at the origin provides an opportunity to take advantage of possible symmetries in the geometry. Once all the solids are finished it is time to create the region[s], which will describe (to MGED) how to combine the solids to represent the model. The region[s] are then given the desired item/air code (if this is necessary, otherwise leave it as the system default value), and material codes. The regions are then put onto a group, usually for functionality only. A group has no operations as such (like union [u], intersection [+] or difference [-]) and is just a collection of objects for convenient naming of a whole screen or collection of objects.