Conference azur::mcc

	Maps are just "ascii" files.

	Use the Iconic map to create a simple map.  Put a few NODE4 and
	DOMAIN icons on your map.  Save your map.  Then type 

	MCC_MAPS:MCC$_thenameofthedomainyourcreated.DAT

	Thats all there is to it.

	Note that the map  file naming convention will be changing with
	an upcomming release, but the format will remain consistant and
	extended over time.

								JCE

re: .1

You answered the question I asked, thanks.

What I should have asked is "How do I set the background of a map window
to the image of my choice, instead of one of the three geographic images
supplied with the kit?

Thanks.

    
    Richard,
    
    The "backdrop" comes from data in the map files as does the data that
    describes icons and connections.
    
    I really should start to write up something that describes these files 
    and their capabilities in depth.  But for now:
    
    The following map file describes a node4 icon connectd to a domain icon
    by way of a single line.  It also has a multisegment line and a polygon.
    There is one piece of independant text in the map that says :
    "Tiny network"
    
    

 

 version 0                              ! place holder 
 domain CANBERRA                        ! name of this domain
 last_x 0.1079 last_y 3.5		! last know viewport position

 object_type 1                          ! object type 1's are icons
   icon_file MCC_NODE4_ICON.DAT         ! the x11 data file for this icon.
   mcc_code 12                          ! registered(?) mcc code.
   center_x 0.353638   center_y 3.570894 ! real world coords (cartesian)
   text_x 0.306861   text_y 3.490437     ! the coords of the name
   name   .JACKIE                        ! the name
                  		
 object_type 1                  	! another icon
   icon_file MCC_DOMAIN_ICON.DAT
   mcc_code 8
   center_x 1.350000   center_y 3.800000
   text_x 1.296986   text_y 3.720582
   name   .LAUREL

 object_type 2                           ! this is the line
   var 1                                 ! place holder for now.
   width 0.008000                        ! line width
   start_x 0.353638 start_y 3.570894
   stop_x 1.350000 stop_y 3.800000

 object_type 7                           ! independant text.
   text Tiny network.
   x 0.077081 y 3.382474

 object_type 3                           ! object_types of 3
   count 6                              ! are multi segmented lines.
   1.958107 0.435175
   1.955092 0.438185
   1.967153 0.471350
   2.087738 0.510540
   2.187223 0.597970
   2.190233 0.634115
  
 object_type 4                             ! object types of 4 are *closed*
   count 5                                 ! polygons.  The starting point
   1.958107 0.435175                       ! and ending point coincide.
   1.955092 0.438185                       ! They are drawn filled in and
   1.967153 0.471350                       ! habe a border.
   2.087738 0.510540                       ! This how the geo data was
   2.187223 0.597970                       ! drawn
    
    Comments are currently not supported in these files.  They're here just
    for discussion's sake.
    
    Fred

Thanks Fred, I get the picture now, heh heh.

    
    The map files were not meant to be just "Yet another graphics format".
    They are more like a "user profile".  In subsequent releases,
    I see the map files containing, for example, pointers to other ddif
    or x11 or dtif files.                              
    

    Fred

    
    Where can I find a complete specification on how to code a MAP file?
    
    We are currently looking at the possibility to port the ENIM_GRAPH
    functionality to DECMCC. 
    
    (For those of you that haven't heard of ENIM_GRAPH : ENIM_GRAPH is a
    utility that takes an ethernim databases and creates a printout of the
    complete ethernet on any size).
    
    One idea would be to take an ethernim database and to generate a DECMCC
    MAPfile instead of a postscript file. This would convert your ethernim
    database into a complete , properly laid out DECMCC map.
    
    Timo

    
    I just responded via MAIL to Timo essentially to say that one of my
    short term goals is to write up something more concrete than whats in
    .4.  But, if he needed some online help in the meantime he could either
    send mail to jackie::messinger or call me directly.
    
    There is a known documentation shortage *AND* a known time shortage!!!
    
    Fred

    
    Could somebody give a complete list of what kind of codes correspond
    with what in the mapfiles, like the object_code , the 'var' and the
    mcc_code.
    
    Thanks
    
    Timo

        I have written something up which documents the MCC map file
        format.  It describes the vector format, lists the mcc codes and
        global entity classes.  You can copy the postscript file from:
        
        	BSYBEE::DUA0:[PUBLIC]map_format.ps
        
        I basically started from Fred's reply in this string (.6) and
        expanded on that.  There's a sample map with its corresponding
        file, and each line explained.
        
        	amy

    When can we expect X11-format or DDIF-format (how about IGES-format?)
    backdrop files for the Iconic map?
    
    My desire is to be able to take an AutoCAD (DXF or IGES format) drawing
    of a floor layout, complete with cabinet and cable locations, and make
    it the backdrop for a domain.  Then I can place entity icons of my own
    design right over the backdrop cabinet for the device.  That way, when
    an alarm fires, DECmcc will direct maintenance personnel to the exact
    floor location complete with cable configs.  (I should say that cable
    and cabinet configurations are well maintained at my customer's site,
    so this would be an accurate representation.)
    
    -DAN

Dan,
Before I defer your question to J. Egolf and A. Pelagatti, allow me 
to ask one:  If we were able to read in an X11 bitmap file and use it for 
a back drop, would it you expect us to "shift" the backdrop when you used
the scroll bars on the map window, or would you expect it to act more
like a true window backround?

Fred 

    I think I see what you're getting at, Fred.  I don't know exactly what
    would be involved in changing code to accommodate X11 or IGES files in
    the map window, but it is probably not worth it.
    
    Yes, I do want to have the backdrop "shift" when scroll bars are used
    on the map window.  An acceptable solution would be to have an
    IGES --> MCC-vector-format conversion utility.
    
    I'm curious, though, as to were the MCC-vector-format originated.  Was
    it an internal invention, or is it an accepted standard format with
    which I am not familiar?  If it is an accepted format, then perhaps a
    conversion utility already exists.
    
    -Dan

    
    I'm curious, though, as to were the MCC-vector-format originated.  Was
    it an internal invention, or is it an accepted standard format with
    which I am not familiar?  If it is an accepted format, then perhaps a
    conversion utility already exists.
    
>> An internal invention.  MCC map files will contain lots of things that may
>> have nothing to do with drawing ie. mcc data, state.  I wrote a utitlity
>> that extracted vector data from a database we purchaced and create an
>> MCC map file.  It was quit simple once I knew the format of the source database
>> (naturally!).  If you know a particularly popular file format, maybe we can
>> calloborate and quickly generate something useful.

Fred

	Fred and I just tried to ensure we're talking the same language
	here.

	To Clarify...

	The DECmcc map file is an "internal invention".

	The vector format  of the backdrop map within a DECmcc map file
	is  a standard format.    It  was  choosen  because  there  are
	goverment services that sell maps  of all kinds in this format.
	
	The issue of writing a conversion  utility  from  DDIF or PS or
	X11 etc.  to vector format was investigated and found to not be
	cost effective.  

	It is my understanding that AutoCad has an  output  format  for
	vector  formatted data.  If that is true, could  somebody  with
	access  to  an AutoCad system try to include a simple  backdrop
	into  their DECmcc map file.  We'll walk you through the  steps
	to do it if you need help.

	We  will  be investigating putting X11 or DDIF backdrops up but
	only when there is time.

	JCE
	

    John,
    	I've already tried viewing the *.BACKDROP files using AutoCAD.  It
    does not recognize the *.BACKDROP file as a "drawing" file.  AutoCAD has
    conversion utilities to produce DXF and IGES standard files.  They are
    vector format and have many of the same keywords as the *.BACKDROP
    files.  I cannot, however, import/convert the *.BACKDROP files.
                            
    Is there any way you can find out what the standard format is?  If so, 
    I have a number of contacts from whom I might be able to obtain a
    conversion utility.
    
    -Dan