RE: "Quartz composer-like" interface (daniel)
RE: "Quartz composer-like" interface (daniel)
- Subject: RE: "Quartz composer-like" interface (daniel)
- From: "Cook, Mike" <email@hidden>
- Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2006 16:05:31 +0100
- Thread-topic: "Quartz composer-like" interface (daniel)
Hi,
Quite a few years ago I designed a PCB layout program on the Mac. OS7 I
think and it was written in Forth! Still the principals are the same,
dragging shapes onto a screen (pads) and connecting them together
(tracks).
I found the best way to start was with the definition of the data that
would describe the final system (in my case a PCB design, in your case a
home automation system). This will drive the rest of the design.
I chose to use a linked list where the head of the list was a link to
the next object followed by a definition (number) representing the
object (component pad type, or track) followed by the X,Y points
describing where the component was located, or in the case of a track a
series of points showing where the track went. A linked list allowed a
variable length of data to be defined as I didn't want to limit the
definition of a track to a certain number of points, this meant it could
be as long as you like.
Then create a dummy version of an example of the data base using a text
editor of a hex editor (only a few objects are needed) and work on the
process of producing an on screen drawing from that data. That is get
the object numbers and icons to match and them to be connected in the
right way. You will probably need to define connection points on your
objects.
Finally work on using mouse click and drags to alter that data base and
hence altering what is on the screen by calling the drawing section.
Hope that helps.
Mike Cook
Embedded Systems Manager, PAC International
Stanley Security Solutions, - Europe Limited
1 Park Gate Close
Bredbury
Stockport, SK6 2SZ
+44 (0)161 406 3576 - Telephone
+44 (0)161 406 9957 - Fax
+44 (0)7775 822098 - Mobile
mailto: email@hidden
www.stanleysecuritysolutions.co.uk
Registered Office: Stanley House,
Bramble Road, Swindon, SN2 8ER
Registered in England and Wales No. 01363776
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