Preface

This book provides information about programming with GLG and using different GLG Run-Time environments, including C/C++, Java and ActiveX control.

The first section of this manual describes the C API, while the rest of the book describes the C++, Java and ActiveX control versions.

Although various programming environments such as C, C++, Java, ActiveX, use different syntax to invoke the GLG API, the semantics of the API methods is the same in either environment. The C programming section provides the most detailed description of each method in terms of its effect on the underlying GLG objects. It also provides more examples and may be used as a reference for C, C++, Java and ActiveX programmers.

The book contains the following chapters:

GLG Programming Reference Manual

Using the C/C++ version of the Toolkit
How to render a GLG drawing from an application program.

Details of using GLG Standard API for C and C++
A general overview of the process of programming with the GLG Toolkit.

Animating a GLG Drawing Using the Standard API
Now that the drawing has been rendered, a description of how to animate the drawing with the function library supplied with the GLG Toolkit.

Handling Input Events
A description of the ways in which a GLG drawing can be used to get input from an application program user.

The GLG Extended API
How to modify a drawing from an application program.

C/C++ Graph Layout Component
How to modify a drawing from an application program.

GLG C++ Bindings
A description of GLG C++ Bindings and GLG MFC class.

GLG Programming Tools and Utilities
Descriptions of the utility tools that come with the GLG Toolkit.

Using the ActiveX Control
A description of the Glg ActiveX control that allows GLG drawings to be used with OLE-compliant Microsoft Windows applications or in IE.

Using the Java version of the GLG Toolkit

A description of the Java version of the Glg Run-Time environment.

Appendices

Appendix A: Global Configuration Resources

A list of global configuration resources.

Appendix B: Message Object Resources
A table of the GLG event types and their message object resources.

Appendix C: GLG Object's Attribute Table

A list of the default attribute names for all object types.

Index

This guide assumes that you are conversant with the basic concepts of computer graphics programming. For a comprehensive discussion of three dimensional computer graphics, we recommend Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice , Foley, Van Dam, Feiner, and Hughes. Second edition, 1990; Addison-Wesley, Reading MA.

Please note that although the illustrations in this document represent the UNIX version of the GLG Graphics Builder, the information it contains is equally relevant to MS Windows users. The two versions present the same functionality in equivalent user interfaces, with minimal, cosmetic differences caused by the different platforms.

GLG Programming Reference Manual