2006/8/11, Apache Wiki:
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The following page has been changed by VincentHennebert:
http://wiki.apache.org/xmlgraphics-fop/GoogleSummerOfCode2006/FloatsImplementationProgress/ImplementingSideFloats
The comment on the change is:
Difficulties around side-floats
Ok guys, I've been searching for 3 days for a simple, elegant, powerful,
effective, ligthweight solution to make the total-fit algorithm work
with side-floats, but can't seem to find one. This issue is somewhat
related to the one regarding differing available ipd in page sequences
(solving one might help solve the other one, at least). There is also
some similarity with tables, i.e., how to combine several "vertical"
Knuth element lists into just one. Excepted that in the case of
side-floats, we may choose several completely different solutions to
place them. And this is a case-by-case decision: one time this will be
better to differ the float, one other time to break it, one other time
to compress it...
In some situations, a best-fit approach could even produce better
results, as we would have the possibility to consider the differing of a
side-float. But it is well-known that best-fit may be much worse than
total-fit regarding before-floats and footnote placements.
Looking at how tables are handled might give me some ideas for
side-floats, but this would require some time and there isn't much left
now.
I also have some ideas for improving the handling of before-floats and
footnotes, and I'd like to implement them while I have time and it's
still fresh in my memory.
The implementation I propose on the Wiki page has its limitations but
should work in most cases. This might give a basis for further
improvements.
I'm thinking about making a poll on fop-user to know what are their
expectations regarding side-floats, and which usage they would make of
them. This might help make some design decisions.
Well, in one word, I'm a bit lost as for what to do, now.
WDYT?
Vincent
