I am not sure I would. I have found the
geometry shapes useful for demos, but not really useful for doing anything
real. This might just be me, but when I have have found myself needing to
build my own objects to harness the full functionality of java3d:
1-The library objects are defined in in -1 to 1
coordinates. This basically requires a transform to put it where you
want it in the world. For certain applications, it is better to build
the object in the size and location you want it in the first place. (This is
debatable considering the use of shared groups)
2-They build their objects in a way you might not
want to. For example the cube actually creates 6 different geometry
arrays under the shape, rather than one triangle mesh.
3-Texture coordinates. It is very hard to
go into a pre-built object and re-define the texture coordinates properly,
provided you don't want their default behavior. For example if you are
building a wall in your world, using the default texture coordinates that come
with the cube will not allow you to map the wall texture in such a way which
makes sense. The problem is that the texture coordinate are best
specified when the object is built, because it is at that time you have the
appropriate higher level understanding of the design of your object.
This information is lost once the object has been broken down to a set of
verticies.
4-It is impossible to extend their objects to
change the bahavior. In other words the objects are built one way,
without exposing methods which would allow you to override the behavior of its
construction.
It might just be me, but I have found the entire
utility package to be excellent in getting up and going quickly with Java3d,
but find myself trapped by its implementation when trying to use it in the
real world. Like trying to use their normalize routines on a non-planer
object, or trying to map the texture coordinates onto anything that has been
strippified.
As always, these are just my opinions and
doubtfully represent anyone elses views.
Dave Yazel
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 10:05
AM
Subject: [JAVA3D] New Geometry For Next
Release?
Dear
All,
Am I the only one who
would like to see the geometry utility classes expanded in each new release
of Java3D? Not all of us have expertise in generating 3D shapes out of
points but can program in Java and Java3D well enough.
I would particularly
like to see bezier/spline based geometry and perhaps metaballs or implicit
function based surface creating geometry.
All the
best
Allistair
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Allistair D Crossley
IT Consultant (Logica)
01277 252088
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
