VPT 3D-Viewer (WF-3D)

For systems-of-systems modeling, CSIM's 3D Viewer is part of CSIM's Vehicle Platforms Terrains (VPT) model library. (Also called:   Win-Frame 3D-Viewer or WF3D)

The WF-3D Viewer can accept animation commands from three (3) interfaces:

File (XML format commands), Socket (XML format commands), C-call (linked object file).

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WF3d is intended for visualizing and interacting with complex simulations. It does not emphasize photo-realistic displays, but rather light-weight, easy-to-use, better-than-schematic visualizations. It supports systems engineering by combining logical data with mission-level displays. This general-purpose viewer can be used with virtually any simulator, sensor, or design tool.

The following documents, tools, models, and examples are available:

1. 1st Tutorial Movie: WF3d Brief Introduction

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2. 2nd Tutorial Movie: Moving Objects

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3. Textual Tutorial: Using WinFrame3D  

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4. XML Format Commands - WFL - Specification
   This is the Win-Frame-Language (WFL).

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5. Download WF-3D Viewer - [Right-click to download] (Contains small example geom.dat for testing.)
   • Linux (32-bit): wf3d_linux.tar.gz - 162 kB - {1-28-2021}
   • Linux (64-bit): wf3d_linux64.tgz - 276 kB - {1-28-2021}
   • Mac-OSx: wf3d_macosx.tar.gz - 310 kB - {1-29-2021}
   • Microsoft: wf3d_mswin.zip - 188 kB - {1-30-2021}
   WF3D License Agreement

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6. WF3D-Viewer Operation and Usage Instructions

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7. Examples:   Some simple examples are included with CSIM distributions.

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8. Download Example Set 1: (Simple Examples)
   • examp1.wfl - Four boxes on axes and origin.  [Right-click to download.]   Run as:   wf3d examp1.wfl
   • test_geom.dat - Super-simple (hello_world - like) example. First generates three butterflies. ~10 lines. Nothing to compile. Just a text-file.

     Directions:
             1. Run viewer:     wf3d test_geom.dat
     

   • geom_test2.dat - Simple example of placing two spheres with text.

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9. 3D Model Libraries
   • 3D Models of Vehicles and other Objects -
   • 3D Models of Earth and other Planets -

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10. Download Example 2:
    • Generate_landscape.c - [Right-click to download]
    Directions:
            1. Compile:     cc -O gen_landscape_lowres.c -lm -o gen_landscape
            2. Build landscape file:     gen_landscape
            3. Run viewer:     wf3d geom.dat
    Suggestion: Peruse the geom.dat file to understand the makeup of the animation commands.

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11. Download Socket Interface Example:
    • socket_example2.tar.gz Socket-based example. Populates hundreds of entities via socket interface. Download and source the Com file. (Hint: Hit s after starting simulation to be taken on an automatic tour over the terrain.) (Compiled for PC's running Linux.)

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12. Importing Mesh/Polygon Objects - Converters:
    The following formats can be converted for importing predefined objects into WinFrame3D:
            3DS - 3D Studio
            LWO - Lightwave Object (partial)
            WFL - WinFrame Language
            DXF - AutoDesk DXF

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13. Importing Terrains - Converters:
    • Importing DTED Terrains into WinFrame 3D Viewer
    • Importing Image Terrains into WinFrame 3D Viewer
    • Mapping Images to Spheres for WinFrame 3D Viewer - Making Earth Models
    • Additionally, all the GDAL Raster Formats formats can be converted for import into WinFrame3D.

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14. WF3D Command-Line Options
    • WF3D Command-Line Options.

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15. WF-3D Object Interface -
    You can link WF-3D to your own programs so that you can call WF-3D commands/operations directly, without using a socket or file interface. See WF-3D Object Interface.

    Related libraries:   Otk - Open Tool Kit - Add buttons/controls, gauges/meters to your WinFrame3d displays.

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16. Auxiliary Utilities -
    
    • XYZ-2-WF - 3D Data Plotting. Converts matrix data into 3D surface-plots or bar-graphs for highly interactive viewing with WF3D. (Numeric visualization.)
      

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