PDL::Graphics::TriD::Rout - Helper routines for Three-dimensional graphics

- NAME
- DESCRIPTION
- FUNCTIONS

- combcoords
- repulse
- attract
- vrmlcoordsvert
- contour_segments

- AUTHOR

# NAME

     PDL::Graphics::TriD::Rout - Helper routines for Three-dimensional graphics

# DESCRIPTION

This module is for miscellaneous PP-defined utility routines for the PDL::Graphics::TriD module. Currently, there are

# FUNCTIONS

## combcoords

      Signature: (x(); y(); z();
                    float [o]coords(tri=3);)

Combine three coordinates into a single piddle.

Combine x, y and z to a single piddle the first dimension of which is 3. This routine does dataflow automatically.

## repulse

      Signature: (coords(nc,np);
                     [o]vecs(nc,np);
                     int [t]links(np);;
                    double boxsize;
                    int dmult;
                    double a;
                    double b;
                    double c;
                    double d;
            )

Repulsive potential for molecule-like constructs.

`repulse` uses a hash table of cubes to quickly calculate a repulsive force that vanishes at infinity for many objects. For use by the module PDL::Graphics::TriD::MathGraph. For definition of the potential, see the actual function.

## attract

      Signature: (coords(nc,np);
                    int from(nl);
                    int to(nl);
                    strength(nl);
                    [o]vecs(nc,np);;
                    double m;
                    double ms;
            )

Attractive potential for molecule-like constructs.

`attract` is used to calculate an attractive force for many objects, of which some attract each other (in a way like molecular bonds). For use by the module PDL::Graphics::TriD::MathGraph. For definition of the potential, see the actual function.

## vrmlcoordsvert

      Signature: (vertices(n=3); char* space; char* fd)

info not available

## contour_segments

This is the interface for the pp routine contour_segments_internal - it takes 3 piddles as input

`$c` is a contour value (or a list of contour values)

`$data` is an [m,n] array of values at each point

`$points` is a list of [3,m,n] points, it should be a grid monotonically increasing with m and n.

contour_segments returns a reference to a Perl array of line segments associated with each value of `$c`. It does not (yet) handle missing data values.

Algorthym
  The data array represents samples of some field observed on the surface described by points. For each contour value we look for intersections on the line segments joining points of the data. When an intersection is found we look to the adjoining line segments for the other `end(s)` of the line segment(s). So suppose we find an intersection on an x-segment. We first look down to the left y-segment, then to the right y-segment and finally across to the next x-segment. Once we find one in a box (two on a point) we can quit because there can only be one. After we are done with a given x-segment, we look to the leftover possibilities for the adjoining y-segment. Thus the contours are built as a collection of line segments rather than a set of closed polygons.

# AUTHOR

Copyright (C) 2000 James P. Edwards Copyright (C) 1997 Tuomas J. Lukka. All rights reserved. There is no warranty. You are allowed to redistribute this software / documentation under certain conditions. For details, see the file COPYING in the PDL distribution. If this file is separated from the PDL distribution, the copyright notice should be included in the file.