[net.graphics] Interactive Graphics - HELP!

gdf@ubu.UUCP (G.D. Footring) (12/10/84)

	Sometime soon(-ish) I'm going to want to run an interactive
graphics system to run on a Sun Workstation (using e.g. C,
FranzLisp, or the Sun graphics primitives).  What I'd like this
system to be able to do will probably include:

  inputting a "hollow" 2D shape with thickness, probably using a mouse
	    e.g.    __________________________
		    | _________  ________    |
		    | |       |  |      |    |
		    | |       |  --------    |
		    | ---------              |
		    |________________________|

  locating corners (both interior and exterior)

  putting in parallel lines between given points or corners

  changing the distance between parallel lines that have already been positioned

  changing the orientation of parallel lines by rotating about a given point

  calculating the angle between given lines

  calculating the areas of given enclosed spaces

  calculating the centre of area of given enclosed spaces

Note: not all the space enclosing lines will be straight.


	The interaction will initially be under operator control, but will
eventually be interogated programatically.

	I'm going to have to start implementing this sometime around early Feb.
To date I have negligible experience of graphics programming and have not
used the Sun before.

	What I'd like are suggestions as to:

	References for good articles or books on graphics programming
generally and more specifically for the above application.

	Any ideas or directions in which to look for good
representations/techniques to implement the above application.


	Thanks in advance,

		Guy Footring.