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Component Description Alice 3d Graphics Software Human Computer Interaction Institute Carnegie Mellon University Prepare

Component Description Alice 3d Graphics Software Human Computer Interaction Institute Carnegie Mellon University Prepared by: Randy Pausch, pausch@cs.cmu.edu March 26, 1999. 1 - Overview. Alice provides an authoring and runtime environment for interactive three-D graphics. Alice can run as:

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Component Description Alice 3d Graphics Software Human Computer Interaction Institute Carnegie Mellon University Prepare

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  1. Component Description Alice 3d Graphics Software Human Computer Interaction InstituteCarnegie Mellon University Prepared by: Randy Pausch, pausch@cs.cmu.edu March 26, 1999

  2. 1 - Overview • Alice provides an authoring and runtime environment for interactive three-D graphics. Alice can run as: • A windows 95/98/NT Application • A plug-in for WWW browsers • An networked front end to a remote visualization computation • Examples: • Interactive 3d graphics in a browser window • Immersive virtual reality image generation • Desktop delivery of interactive multi-participant visualizations.

  3. 2 - Architecture Overview C/C++User Modules Visual Basic and MFC Controls Scripts Alice OOP ClassesAlice Animation FacilitySimulation Scheduler “Ecila” Database MS Direct 3D RM MS Direct Sound Pentium PC Running Windows

  4. 3 - Component Description • Scripts: user developed, in the Python language • Alice OOP Classes, Animation, and Simulation • implement the real-time scheduler for animations • ECILA Database • mediates between the Python layer and Direct X • MS (Microsoft) Direct X layer • provides low level support for graphics & sound • C/C++ User Modules • allow arbitrary extension by end users in C/C++; called from Python • Visual Basic and MFC Controls • implement end-user interface for authoring tool

  5. 4 - External Interfaces Can communicate with arbitrary external programs via either: • Python socket library • a C/C++ extension that implements another protocol

  6. 5 - Existing Software “Bridges” • Interoperation with Other Systems • Can interoperate with any other system by having that system open a socket and send Python code to do anything, which is interpreted in the Alice run-time environment. • Functionality • Can work with existing applications without change • All Alice functionality is available via interpreted language • Protocols (current) • Using standard socket interface

  7. 6 - Information Flow • Structure: The Alice run-time environment can be run as a windows application or a WWW browser, which communicates with other applications via sockets or other specially developed protocols. • Inputs: The Alice run-time environment takes as input python code which can be interpreted to any effect, with commands like “object.move(forward, 2)” • Outputs: The Alice run-time environment renders 3d graphical output into a screen window, and can communicate back results via sockets.

  8. 7 - Plug-n-play • Interacting with Other CPOF Components • We are essentially an external device for rendering 3d graphics • Similarities to Other CPOF components • No other CPOF components address 3d graphics • Complementing other CPOF Components • Any CPOF component needing to render 3d data/visualizations should benefit from Alice

  9. 8 - Operating Environments and COTS Component Name Required Hardware Operating System Required COTS Language Alice run-time environment Pentium 90 Python none Win 95/98/NT

  10. 9 - Hardware Platform Requirement • Standard PC (Pentium 90 or faster) with • Windows 95/98/NT • 32 Megabyte memory (128 preferred) • 20 Megabyte Disk free • Microsoft DirectX libraries • Sound-blaster compatible sound card

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