From: cutt@netcom.com (Paul S. Cutt) Subject: Re: TECH: 5DT driver for Visualiser Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 04:01:31 GMT Message-ID: Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) We sell 5DT drivers in addition to most VR devices for all major Unix platforms as well as PCs (windows 95/windows NT). paul cutt Xtensory Inc XVS-SyncLink (TM) A Standard Device Interface for Virtual Environments and Applications Benefits XVS-SyncLinkTM is a C++ class library that simplifies adding and maintaining virtual reality (VR) sensor support in existing applications. It provides a standard device interface for including virtual environment devices into applications. Virtual environments have led to the proliferation of 3D devices with multiple degrees of freedom x,y,z,roll,pitch,yaw). Each device has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the creation of new devices brings with it a constant improvement in the capabilities available. However, using these devices in applications is not easy. Many of these devices are mutually incompatible. They have different command sets; they use different command syntax for the same commands; the output they give to the computer follows different binary formats; and the same type of data is presented using different coordinate systems. Until now, the near-total lack of standardization of even the simplest virtual reality functions has discouraged developers from supporting multiple devices, or adding any VR support to their applications at all. SyncLink takes the load off the application developer by providing a standardized and portable object-oriented set of VR device drivers. This lets the developer concentrate on the applications, rather than the idiosyncracies of each VR device. Object Oriented SyncLink provides an object-oriented interface to VR devices. There is a single C++ class hierarchy for VR sensors. This hierarchy currently handles 6-D sensors such as the Polhemus Fastrak, Logitech 3D Mouse, Ascension Flock of Birds, Spaceball 2003, and the VPL Research DataGlove Model 2. A second C++ class for coordinate systems allows the application programmer to translate automatically between the differing coordinate systems used by VR devices, 3D rendering systems, and existing applications and data sets. In addition, Synclink also provides a C interface to the C++ libraries. This enables programming entirely in C and calling all the devices from C. Common Interface All devices which provide 6-degree of freedom position and orientation data are handled similarly. SyncLink's base sensor class provides standard operations for opening devices, closing devices, and reading position, Euler angles, toggles, and other device data. Common filtering operations are also avaiable in the base class, including origin offset, setting tolerance levels, clipping, modulo, and scaling. Each device may report data in either absolute or relative values, whether it is an isometric device like the Spaceball, or an isotonic device like the Fastrak. While the SyncLink base class provides a common interface to common VR functions across different devices, it does not limit the application programmer to the lowest common denominator. Device-specific functions are also provided. For example, Fastrak and Flock of Birds users can make use of the multistation capabilities of these devices, allowing multiple receivers to be read from a single serial port. DataGlove Model 2 programmers can calibrate the glove and read and write ASCII-formatted calibration tables. Logitech users may access the fringe and out of range settings which warn when the receiver is approaching its line-of-sight limits. Sample application code provided with SyncLink demonstrates how the same source code can be used to control any of the supported sensors. Switching Sensors SyncLink's common interface makes it easy to switch between sensors from within an application. Simply close and delete the old sensor object, create and open a new sensor object, and reapply the application's sensor filters. Even this level of detail can be hidden from the user by the application. No longer do the software incompatibilities between sensors inhibit switching between them from within an application. Customized Support Xtensory provides the services for adding customized device support at minimal costs. We will add your device to use the same interface. Custom devices can then use the same standard object-oriented interface as commercial devices, without losing access to the functionality that makes the device unique. This enables all devices to share the same API. Maintenance Xtensory provides support for upgrades and maintains the drivers as new devices become available. Portability SyncLink provides portability between different UNIX and POSIX platforms. The same C++ class library is available for Silicon Graphics, Kubota Pacific, and Digital Equipment systems. Devices Supported Ascension Flock of Birds Ascension Extended Range Flock of Birds General Reality CyberEye General Reality DataGlove Immersion Probe and Personal Digitizer Logitech 3D Mouse, Cyberman and Space Control Mouse/Magellan Origin Instruments DynaSight Polhemus Fastrak, Insidetrak, Isotrak, and 3Ball Precision Navigation Wayfinder Spaceball 2003 Virutal I/O i-glasses! Virtual Technologies CyberGlove VPL DataGlove Model 2 5DT 5-Glove System Requirements SyncLink includes a C wrapper library, C++ object library, C++ header files, and sample C++ test software. SyncLink requires one of the following operating systems: SGI IRIX 5.2 or later Irix 6.2 is now supported with CC -n32 -o3 compile option Digital OSF/1 1.3 or later Microsoft Windows NT 3.51/Windows 95 HP-UX 9.0 or later Sun SyncLink also requires the appropriate C/C++ compiler for the platform: SGI C++ 3.0 Digital C++ 1.3 or later Microsoft Visual C++ 4.0 HP Sun Contact Xtensory regarding support for VR devices or UNIX/POSIX operating systems not listed above. Xtensory will add in specific device support for custom devices so that they use the same interface API at minimal cost. Xtensory Inc 140 Sunridge Drive Scotts Valley CA 95066 USA Tel 408/439-0600 Fax 408/439-8845 cutt@netcom.com ...opening the doors of perception (TM) [MODERATOR'S NOTE: Commercial postings are offered on this newsgroup as a public service. Their appearance here does not indicate endorsement by the moderators or by the USENET or its administrators.]