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Starbase_modeller(starbase) LYMB Starbase_modeller(starbase)

NAME

starbase_modeller - abstract class for geometric rendering primitive classes in STARBASE

DESCRIPTION

The starbase_modeller class is an abstract class for Starbase rendering primitive objects (starbase_points, starbase_lines, starbase_polygon, etc.). It provides methods for primitive initialization and rendering such as initializing the object's color.

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!).

display The Starbase graphcs display ID returned by the gopen() call. This informs the rendering primitives as to which Starbase context the calls should be made to.

renderer_name The name of the rendering instance currently rendering into.

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.

renderer_name[=?] Set/get the name of the rendering instance.

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

primitive! Renders data. Prints warning - should be implemented by subclass.

load: First sets the name of the rendering instance via renderer_name= (which is currently on the stack) and then sends an open! followed by primitive!.

initialize! Sets the display variable by sending set_display!. Then sets the object's properties specified in the property instance variable object via Starbase calls (line_color(), fill_color(), surface_coefficients(), surface_model(), interior_style(), etc.). Any geometry rendered after this message will inherit these properties. This message is always sent by the primitive method before the geometry is rendered.

mtime? Overrides inherited method to get modified time by returning maximum of its own modified time and its property's modified time.