Conference azur::mcc

Scanned in backdrops will be supported in V1.2.  

    Thanks a lot.
    
    Earlier replies to same question were "unsupported" which got me
    worried.
    
    This has been waited for over 1 and 1/2 years.
    
    Olli

| Scanned in backdrops will be supported in V1.2.  

    I was talking to a V1.2 field test site, Dow Chemical, last week.  He
    said he saw an MCC demo with scanned backdrops and the demostrator said
    this was available with V1.2.  He has been unable to locate the
    documentation on how to use his floor plan as a backdrop.  I said I
    would follow up on his question.  He currently has the T1.2.4 EFT kit
    installed.

    What should I tell him?

It's not in the docs.  I hope that the documentation people will chime in herea
and let you know when/where/what about the documentation.

Do you want instructions here to convery to Dow?

The map backdrop MUST be X11 format.  There are limitations with using the X11
backdrop files (as you will soon find): E.g. they start duplicating themselves
if they're smaller than the window size; They don't scroll when you move the
viewport around, so if you're not careful your icons will move with respect to
the backdrop when you scroll around, etc.

* Get the picture into X11 bitmap format and save it somewhere
From the IMPM:
 * open a new domain (e.g. MYDOMAIN)
 * don't put anything in it
 * save map (e.g. into MCC_MAPS:MY_DOMAIN_BACKGROUND.XBM)
Outside of MCC
* edit the map file for the domain (you created it with the "save map"
  operation).
* underneath the second line (it should say "domain .MYDOMAIN"), insert the
  line:
     background_pixmap mcc_maps:my_domain_background.xbm
	(where "mcc_maps:my_domain_background.xbm" is the full filespec for the
                X11 bitmap file you want to appear in the background.
* exit - without making any more changes!
From the IMPM
 * Now open the domain "MYDOMAIN" from the IMPM and you should see the X11
   bitmap backdrop. Ta Da.


If this doesn't work, then you didn't hear it from me.  ;^)

/doug

Re .-1
| What should I tell him?

	Tell him that he has FT documentation that is never as complete
	as documentation for the released product.    Tell  him  if  he
	wants to insert an XBM file as  a  backdrop during field test ,
	that he needs to edit the map file and...

Map Backdrops:

	Within  the  V1.2 Iconic Map, you can, in  addition  to  vector
	formatted backdrops, you can have bitmap (.XBM) backdrop maps.

	The two backdrops operate differently.  

	The  vector  format  maps  allow  you  to paste a  map  in  the
	background  and  as  you  navigate  thru  the  domain,  the map
	backdrop  will  change accordingly.  You can see the vector map
	in the navigation window as well.

	The bitmap  backdrops are more easily created.  You can scan in
	maps or easily  create  then  with DECpaint or comparible tool.
	These maps do not  change  as  the  window  (or  view  within a
	domain) changes.  You cannot  see  these maps in the navigation
	window.  These maps should be  used for single window displays;
	windows in which all interested objects fit.

	Sample V1.2 map file to show how to include XBM backdrop
	Note: This is a "version 0" map format

 version 0
 domain jce
 background_pixmap sys$login:INTEROP_FLOOR.XBM
 last_x 0.000000 last_y 3.569646

    Hi,
    	I also test the X11 backdrops. It works as said in this note. Do
    you plan for version 1.2 or whatever to modify it ? Mainly I think it
    is mandatory to see this backdrop moving as you move the map. It will
    also be good to have an option saying : "No duplicate even if the
    backdrop is smaller than the map size.".
    
    	The vector formatted backdrops seems to be the real solution. So
    the best answer will be to have a tool converting scanned images (X11
    format or DDIF) into vector format. Is there something planned in this
    area (in DECmcc or elsewhere CDA ...) ?
    
    Thanks for your answers.
    

    The behaviour of the X11 backdrops are not changing for V1.2
    
    I agree that it would be nice for it to move when you scroll the
    window but it isn't going to be that way. Sorry.
    
    If you need to have a backdrop move, then vector is the only way.
    
    /srob

I've read the previous responses and have used the information to create a
domain using .XBM files.  All well and good and after understanding the 
limitations can explain same to the customer.

However, I noticed some additinal objectionable behavior.

I have a top level domain call .US....I open this domain by default when
starting MCC and have used the default united_states map supplied with MCC.

My office is located near the Atlantic Ocean and  I have place all of my
domains near there for demo purposes. 

If I have a subdomain or even a detached (unrelated domain) defined and have
a bit mapped background associated with it, I've noticed that when I open the
domain with the bit mapped background, then try to return to my top level
domain, either by stepping back up through the domains, or open .US directly,
the water or background area still has the .XBM image.

This is V1.2 SSB MCC on VMS.....not very nice behavior!

I hope this is fixed or at least an alternative is offered for V2.0!

Al