3d drawing applet

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Jon R - 27 Feb 2004 02:29 GMT

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right gorup to be posting to, som my
apologies if this isnt relevent.

I'm a 2nd year Computer Science Student and I've just been set an
assignment on a java unit im taking.

The task is to create an applet which can draw basic 3d shapes eg. cubes
, faces, splines etc. There is no requirement for curved surfaces.

I'm familiar with java and have made a 2d application before, but I am
unfamiliar with applets or 3d programming.

I have done a little 3d modelling in 3ds Max before, so I know the
theory behind vertices, edges, faces etc. but have no idea where to
start in desinging an applet.

The shapes also need to be 'slectable' meaning that once they have been
drawn they can be reselected and moved around on the canvas, they also
have to be displayed as either filled or wire-frame.

I am just really scratching my head as to where I should begin, i've
searched google and looked thorugh sun's website and haven't been able
to find much. Plenty of 2d drawing applets out there.

I would just like to know what a good approach would be in designing
this applet, whether to use isometric or perspective projection and if
there are any useful classes ?

Oh one more important point, our tutor wants us to use AWT and NOT SWING.

Thanks for Reading

Jon

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Peter Ashford - 27 Feb 2004 02:50 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>
> Jon

Sounds like you could use Java3D pretty much directly. It does shapes
and picking.

Are you supposed to figure out the 3D stuff yourself or is using an API
ok? If so, J3D will probably do everything you require

Reply to this Message

Tony Burrows - 27 Feb 2004 12:59 GMT

snip

>> The task is to create an applet which can draw basic 3d shapes eg. cubes
>> , faces, splines etc. There is no requirement for curved surfaces.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>>
>> Oh one more important point, our tutor wants us to use AWT and NOT SWING.

> Sounds like you could use Java3D pretty much directly. It does shapes
> and picking.
>
> Are you supposed to figure out the 3D stuff yourself or is using an API
> ok? If so, J3D will probably do everything you require

You can take an AWT panel and embed a J3D canvas on it. Then put any J3D
shapes on the canves (primitives or more complex).

Have a look at www.j3d.org for some J3D tutorials.

If you email me, I can probably dif out an application that uses the same
idea.

Tony

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Patti Koenig - 27 Feb 2004 17:24 GMT

FastScript3d has very simple instructions and steps to build 3D applets like
the one you describe, and it works in conjunction with Java3D. You can use the
FastScript3D API, and, once you become more familiarized with everything, the
FastScript3D free source code should give you a good example basis if you want
to implement everything directly in Java3D.

See this web site for more information
http://fastscript3d.jpl.nasa.gov
BTW FastScript3D is free and the site includes examples and source code.

Patti Koenig

> > Hi,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> Are you supposed to figure out the 3D stuff yourself or is using an API
> ok? If so, J3D will probably do everything you require

Reply to this Message

Jon - 01 Mar 2004 00:53 GMT

Thanks for the tips guys,

I'm not sure f i'm able to use Java3D in my project yet, but im going to
as my tutor if its ok, before i start trying some ideas out.

I'll let you know if i come up with anything intersting or not

Jon

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WmJBkr - 01 Mar 2004 16:31 GMT

>The task is to create an applet which can draw basic 3d shapes eg. cubes
>, faces, splines etc. There is no requirement for curved surfaces.
>
>I'm familiar with java and have made a 2d application before, but I am
>unfamiliar with applets or 3d programming.

Although dated, you might find Tonny Espeset's
"KickAss Java Programming: Cutting-Edge Java Techniques with an Attitude"
useful, if you are required to create the 3d modelling and drawing code from
scratch.

http://tinylink.com/?CypV8fUi15

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3d drawing applet

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