Paul S. Cutt (cutt++at++netcom.com)
Thu, 26 Jun 1997 13:29:55 -0700 (PDT)
Thanks,
paul
On Thu, 26 Jun 1997, Norbert Kociok wrote:
> My question is if someone has the expirience and knowledge in
> programming a driver for the "Magellan Space Mouse" in "ANSI C".
>
> I want use the Magellan Space Mouse under IRIS Performer (2.1).
>
> Thanks,
> Norbert
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>
XVS-Link (TM)
A Standard Device Interface for
Virtual Environments and Applications
(The software formerly known as SyncLink)
Benefits
XVS-Link (TM) 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.
XVS-Link 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
XVS-Link 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, XVS-Link 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. XVS-Link'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 XVS-Link 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 XVS-Link demonstrates how the
same source code can be used to control any of the supported sensors.
Switching Sensors
XVS-Link'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
XVS-Link 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
Ascension MotionStar
BG Systems BeeBox
General Reality CyberEye
General Reality DataGlove
Immersion Probe and Personal Digitizer
Immersion Impulse Engine 2000
Logitech 3D Mouse, Cyberman and Space Control Mouse/Magellan
Origin Instruments DynaSight
Polhemus Fastrak, Insidetrak, Isotrak, and 3Ball
Precision Navigation Wayfinder
Spacetec Spaceball 2003 and 2003
Virtual I/O i-glasses!
Virtual Technologies CyberGlove
VPL DataGlove Model 2
5DT 5-Glove
System Requirements
XVS-Link includes a C wrapper library, C++ object library, C++
header files, and sample C++ test software. XVS-Link 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 (or later)/Windows 95
HP-UX 9.0 or later
Sun
XVS-Link 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.
Contact
Xtensory Inc
140 Sunridge Drive
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
USA
Tel 408/439-0600
Fax 408/439-8845
cutt++at++netcom.com
www.xtensory.com
...opening the doors of perception (TM)
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