Posted by RickLutowski on Mar 27, 2023; 5:30am
URL: https://forum.jogamp.org/Java-3D-CAD-program-volunteer-opportunities-tp4042337p4042346.html

Sven wrote:,
> 1st of all - my full respect to even publishing your work
> and exposing yourself to our bunch - not always easy :)

If I read the stats right, this forum has 1360 users.  Compared to the millions of Java developers, those of us interested in java3d would qualify as an elite group.  I feel among friends just based on that.

In any case, I'm used to dissent. Try going to any of the methodology forums with a totally new requirements development paradigm. Talk about taking heat from skeptics!
 
Spoiler alert: CM Creator uses this methodology, called "Freedom," which evolved from a methodology developed for NASA's Space Station Freedom Project. The Java-Freedom combination has resulted in CM Creator being much better structured. and more functionally capable, than originally anticipated. Anyone who volunteers can expect to learn a little about Freedom (well, maybe more than a little.)


> So the first task for somebody willing to jump into your project
> would probably be to compile the code and reproduce a working binary.
> When this is done, such person might be willing to create a README recipe
> and do the errand of creating a new repo with source and all our usual 'crap' :))

That would be great!


> Then you would have a fruitful collab perhaps and you would also see
> how this new git thing works .. at least a little.

Yes, of course.


> And then .. the real work & fun may start.

The 'to do' list is long, so a volunteer will have a lot of choices. Have already mentioned enhancing display capability with java3d, and interfacing with 3D printers. Those are big tasks, but there are many smaller ones, such as
* re-implementing my old linear-time sort library in Java (CM Creator could use a super-fast sort!),
* adding code for 2nd moment/gyradius computations,
* adding code to punch holes (called "Reference Removals") in surfaces,
* adding html links to the JToolTip-based help package,
* formulating a better algorithm for an especially challenging interpolation routine,
* enhancing and further debugging the units conversion package,
... the list goes on and on.


>To preserve ones work, it is a good idea to spread your code around, gitlab, github, gitflic.ru even

Not sure I was even aware of gitlab, but the suggestion makes sense.  Would be a matter of a volunteer stepping up to spearhead it.


> What I find quite attracting are demo videos showing some results
> and hence sweetening, lowering the pain threshold of 'jumping in'.
> In case you can make a video somehow and post it here (or via good/evil whatever),
> you might can attract more potential developer.

Prepare to be shocked.

I could blame this on my age, but it is really just a total lack of interest in cell phones.

Not only have I never created a video, I have yet to snap a camera shot with my cell, which I never use for anything other than voice calls, and rarely for that. I contemplated ditching my cell totally to save the monthly bill, but my wife talked me into keeping it in case we needed it for an emergency.  So posting a video is a non-starter. However, I will try to post some screen shots of CM Creator. Best I can do.

In any case, videos should not be necessary to learn how to use the program.  One of CM Creator's features is an enhanced JToolTip package that pops up a help window whenever the mouse passes over a component like a JButton or JTextField.  The window describes the operation of the component. I call this JIT (Just-In-Time) help.  It takes the place of a separate user manual by essentially building the user manual into the program. The idea is that a new user can learn to use the program as they use it rather than reading a manual or viewing a video, then trying to remember what they read/saw when they start using.  I don't know of another program that operates this way, so feedback on the effectiveness of JIT help from a few actual new users would be enlightening.

Screenshots

Below is a screenshot of CM Creator's primary test case -- the battleship Texas.  It shows the first-level subdivision of the ship in section view.  Section slices can be taken at any location in each of the 3 views. The main menubar options are at the top, and the display controls are under the section views.

CM_Creator_1.png


Below is a screenshot of the battleship Texas test case in rotated view.  CM Creator does not really support rotated views at this time, but can be forced into it by using one of its rotation options in an unintended manner.

CM_Creator_2.png

This view makes it pretty clear why the program needs java3d, and why rotation of the entire model is not currently supported -- without hidden line, rotation does not provide much cognitively useful information.

To the left of the image is a pop up help window for the "Creator_0.6+" menubar menu item.  This particular help page is special in that it describes the layout of the entire main window rather the menu item specifically.  Thus, it should be one of the first help pages read by new users.