[cad-linux] Some comments
- From: "Andrew Lowe" <agl@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Cad-linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 19:22:16 +1100
Hi people,
Some comments after reading through the latest batch of
posts:
2D Vs 3D
Don't even consider doing 2D if you want a decent "general
purpose" CAD package. If you have a 3D code base, it is very easy
to include functionality that will lock one of the axis to 0.0 so that it
"looks", ie you can't rotate around all three axes, 2D. You can't do
the reverse if you only have a 2D code base.
Text Vs binary
There is no problem with using binary IF THE FILE
FORMAT IS PUBLISHED. Yes you are correct in that you can't edit a
binary file in a text editor, you use a hex editor for that, but to a CAD
manager the concept of some drongo firing up Vi/Emacs/Nano/Pico
to "fix a problem with a drawing", is just about enough to induce a
heart attack.
A point that must be considered when choosing a file format
is if the system will be memory based, like AutoCAD, or file based,
like MicroStation. If it is file based, then the only option is to use
binary, it is much faster.
MySQL
Use a database interface such as ODBC/JDBC so that the
user can decide what database they want to use. I don't think it is up
to "us" to decide if the user is going to use
MySQL/Oracle/Postgres/Interbase/Firebird/.../..../, use an interface
and the user can decide
Vector Vs Object
You need both of these. You can't draw objects without
vectors.....oh bugga, I had something deep and meaningful for this
bit but I just forgot it :(
Cascade
Open Cascade is a set of libraries, not an appliation. You
have to build all of the menu, mouse, layers etc etc yourself. A lot of
the stuff needed for a CAD system is there, but you need a lot more
for UI
VRML
It is NOT suitable to use as a file format for a CAD system.
Forget you ever heard of it in this context
Regards,
Andrew Lowe
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