* * README for IBM Visualization Data Explorer for HP * * (C) COPYRIGHT International Business Machines Corp. 1991-1997 * All Rights Reserved. * Licensed Materials - Property of IBM * * US Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication or * disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp. * * The information contained in this file consists of hints for using the system, help with functions that may not be apparent, and last minute updates to the existing documentation. It is advisable to review this file any time Data Explorer updates are applied. ======================================================================== CONTENTS To go directly to an item, search for the item number beginning at the left margin. 1. System Configuration A. Colormap Considerations B. Default Keyboard Mappings C. DX no longer statically links libC 2. Hardware Rendering Considerations A. Shared Library Support for Hardware Rendering B. Hardware Rendering Not Available Message C. Shared Memory Usage D. The CRX Adapter and Direct Interactors E. Resizing in Script Mode F. Near Clipping in Perspective Mode G. Z-buffer ======================================================================== 1. System Configuration A. Colormap Considerations If you are using a workstation with a CRX adapter, you can reduce the visual effect of colormap thrashing by setting the environment variable SB_X_SHARED_CMAP to TRUE so that X and Starbase will use a shared colormap. If you are using x11start, make sure you set this environment variable before you issue the x11start command. If you are using the HP VUE (Visual User Environment) add the following to the end of the Xconfig file: vuelogin*environment:SB_X_SHARED_CMAP=TRUE The Xconfig file is located in /usr/vue/config/Xconfig for HP/UX 9.0x. This will effectively make the first 8 colormap cells accessible (read/only) to both X and StarBase, reserve the next 34 cells for X, and set aside the remaining 214 for StarBase. Since there are relatively few colors available to X, it is possible that you will get color map allocation errors when invoking Data Explorer, especially if you use the HP VUE, as it can require all 42 colors reserved for X, depending on the settings of the following resources: *colorUse *shadowPixmaps The *colorUse resource determines the number of color sets available in the current HP VUE color palette, whereas the shadowPixmaps determines whether shadowing is done with colors or pixmaps. For HP/UX 9.0x, color usage is reduced in HP VUE by cascading up from the 'Tool Box' icon, and selecting the following icons in order: General System_admin EditResources Edit the file provided in the last window to include *ColorUse: LOW_COLOR *ShadowPixmaps: TRUE You will then need to log out from the console and log back in for these new resources to take effect. B. Default Keyboard Mappings On the Hewlett Packard 9000/700 series workstations, the Delete key is marked "Del", and is found on the numeric keypad. C. DX no longer statically links libC Data Explorer no longer statically links in libC on hp systems. This may be a problem on older hp systems (9.x) where the libC runtime library was not installed by default. However, this library was on the original distribution so you should have a copy you can install. 2. Hardware Rendering Considerations A. Shared Library Support for Hardware Rendering When hardware rendering is requested for the first time, the executive dynamically loads /usr/lpp/dx/bin_hp700/DXhwdd.sl and the StarBase shared libraries. If one of these is not present then hardware rendering will be disabled. B. Hardware Rendering Not Available Message When the message 'Hardware rendering not available: /usr/lib/libsb.sl not found' appears, then StarBase shared library or run-time support has not been installed. C. Shared Memory Usage The hardware rendering software uses shared memory segments. If Data Explorer exits abnormally after beginning hardware rendering, then these shared memory segments may not be properly deallocated. Use the 'ipcs' command to see if this has happened and use the 'ipcrm' command to remove them. If these are not removed they may hamper subsequent executions. D. The CRX Adapter and Direct Interactors When using the direct interactors and hardware rendering on a CRX graphics card, zoom boxes and probe points may cause minor image corruption while the mouse button is depressed. When the mouse button is released, the proper image is generated. E. Resizing in Script Mode For script mode and hardware rendering, an open or resize of the display window might produce a Starbase error. F. Near Clipping in Perspective Projections When navigating into an object, the near clip plane may clip graphics primitives to their triangle boundaries instead of the exact intersection with the clip plane. G. Z-buffer Hardware rendering may be performed on a system without a z-buffer card if PowerShade is installed on that system. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The following trademarks apply to this information: IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. IBM Visualization Data Explorer is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. HP, Starbase and PowerShade are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company. HP-UX and HP VUE are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company.