./README_hp700

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* README for IBM Visualization Data Explorer for HP 
* 
* 
* 
  
  
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/local/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.