<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Phigs_modeller(phigs) LYMB Phigs_modeller(phigs)

NAME

phigs_modeller - abstract class for geometric rendering primitive classes in PHIGS

DESCRIPTION

The phigs_modeller class is an abstract class for PHIGS rendering primitive objects (phigs_points, phigs_lines, phigs_polygon, etc.). It provides methods for primitive initialization and rendering such as initializing the object's surface properties.

SUPERCLASS

object

INSTANCE VARIABLES

property The name of the property object defining the appearance of the geometry.

build_time The time the primitive last received new data (via an open!).

MESSAGES

property[=?] Set/get the name of the property object.

build_time[=?] Set/get the value of build_time.

update_build_time! Set the objects build_time variable to the present time.

open! Send new data to rendering primitive. Prints warning - should be implemented by subclass.

primitive! If the object has been modified since its last build_time, the structure containing the properties is rebuilt (via initialize!) and a call to this property structure (which in turn calls the geometry structure) is made (PhigsExecuteStructure).

load: A convenience message to perform an open! followed by primitive!.

initialize! Set the object's surface properties specified in the property instance variable. These are set through various PHIGS calls (PhigsSetInteriorStyle, PhigsSetInteriorShadingMethod, PhigsSetInteriorColor, PhigsSetPolylineColor, PhigsSetAreaProperties, etc.). In addition, a call to the PHIGS

structure containing the geometry is made (PhigsExecuteStructure). This geometry structure is built in the subclass primitives (phigs_points, phigs_lines, etc.). This message is always sent by the primitive method before the geometry is rendered.