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Subject: 
Re: L3P user primitive substitution
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.cad.dev
Date: 
Mon, 17 Dec 2001 22:03:27 GMT
Viewed: 
359 times
  
Dear All,

Currently, there are a number of files on the Parts Tracker which include
embedded POV-Ray, using the 0 L3P meta-statement.

I've been emailing with Lars, Paul and Chris about some concerns I have with
this approach.  Basically, before we allowed this approach in the official
parts library, I wanted to be sure we were taking the best approach.

Through the email, I've been convinced that embedding POV-Ray code in part
files is a good idea.  The alternatives would be:

1. Not address the issue at all, and not support any method for substituting
solid-modeling code for LDraw code.
2. Maintain a separate library of POV-Ray files, or at least a separate
library POV-Ray enhanced LDraw files.

I don't think either of these alternatives is desireable.

One issue I still have is with the specific syntax used.  I think the
current syntax is too specific to L3P.  What would be better is a more
generic meta-statement, that could be used for other purposes in the future.

So I'd like to propose that the current syntax be replaced with the following:

0 IFDEF <tag>
Conditional section begin
Begin non-LDraw statements in comment statement fields

0 IFNDEF <tag>
Conditional section begin
Begin DAT statements

0 ELSE
Switch between above section modes

0 ENDIF
Terminate conditional section

In the current situation, <tag> would always be POVRAY.  In the future,
other possible tag-values may be determined, such as level-of-detail settings.

So, that's all I've got to say for now.  Comments, anyone?

Steve

In lugnet.cad.ray, 12 months ago, Chuck Sommerville writes:
Awhile back, I persuaded Lars Hassing to add a feature to L3P.  I wanted the
ability to substutite POV language commands in the comments of a .DAT file
that could be used in place of the DAT primitives when rendering through
POV.  This would allow users to add native POV commands that could render
better than the triangles and polygons defined  in DAT files.  Since the
commands are inbedded in comment fields, and only recognized by L3P, they
have no effect of any other tools.  Lars was waiting untill I tested the
commands to announce the feature.  The good news, is you probably already
have the ability to use these features.  He built them into Version 1.2
20000616.

The commands are
0 L3P IFPOV
Conditional section begin
Begin POV statements in comment statement fields

0 L3P IFNOTPOV
Conditional section begin
Begin DAT statements

0 L3P ELSEPOV
Switch between above section modes

0 L3P ENDPOV
Terminate conditional section

After running L3P, you can see in the POV file conditionals like
if(0) or if(1)
To see the alternate version for comparison, just change the constant in
these conditionals.

If you don't understand any of this, don't worry,  I am following this post
up with some examples.  Remember to get L3P V1.2 or latter to use thse.

-Chuck



Message has 2 Replies:
  Re: L3P user primitive substitution
 
(...) Just a thought. If the POVRAY (or whatever) sections get too big, would it make sense to add 0 INCLUDE meta-command so the LDRAW only programs don't waste time parsing? Then the POV specific versions could be distributed separately from the (...) (23 years ago, 17-Dec-01, to lugnet.cad.dev)
  Re: L3P user primitive substitution
 
Since there hasn't been discussion of this topic, and more than two weeks have elapsed, can we assume that: A) The proposed revision is acceptable B) The proposed revision is un-acceptable C) No one knows LMKWYT, Steve (...) (23 years ago, 3-Jan-02, to lugnet.cad.dev)

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