Message #129

From: Don Hatch <hatch@plunk.org>
Subject: Re: [MC4D] Some questions
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 10:03:30 -0700

The linux version does let you rotate in 3d,
but not a fully general rotation– there are two degrees
of freedom called "tilt" and "twirl", which you can modify
using the x/X/y/Y keys.
The initial values of tilt and twirl can be set using environment varables,
X resources, or command line options; see the MagicCube4D-unix.txt
for how to do this.

The reason there aren’t all three degrees of rotational freedom
in the Linux version is just my own personal preference–
I never want the third one, especially when solving the cube.
I always want the "north pole" of the model to point straight
up on the screen; it’s irritating to me if it doesn’t.
Given a general trackball interface like in the Windows version,
I’d just be pulling my hair out trying to get the vertical
axis back in alignment all the time, and never quite getting it right.

When solving the cube, I generally adjust tilt and twirl until I like them,
and just leave them there so I don’t get disoriented.
I do make very frequent use of the 90 degree 3d rotations
that are available though– to get these, hold down the 1,2,3 keys
like a chord, and click on a sticker.
(1,2,3,4 if it’s the 4x4x4x4 puzzle, etc.)

Don

On Thu, Apr 14, 2005 at 06:05:08PM -0700, Melinda Green wrote:
>
> Remigiusz,
>
> you do not need to make excuses for "disturbing" the list. i know it
> seems like it’s asleep most of the time but i’m sure most members would
> like to see it a little more awake.
>
> now to your questions:
>
> i only recently added the note about the availability of the other size
> cubes, so it’s not surprising that you missed it.
>
> the reason the windows version doesn’t support other sizes is because
> the Direct3D library i used would mysteriously crash when the user
> attempted to change sizes. i never did figure out why and sadly just
> removed that option.
>
> you are right that the question about screen rotations in the linux
> version is connected to the edge length question, though i don’t know
> how you could have guessed that. ;-)
> the reason is because the linux version uses full 4D->3D->2D projection
> and don didn’t want to have to implement the extra transformations to
> perform rotations. in my case, since i was using Direct3D, i only needed
> to do the 4D->3D projection and let D3D do the rest. i still had to
> implement a quaternion object to produce the rotation matrices for it
> but that wasn’t too hard.
>
> oh, and if you do translate and publish royce’s solution on the web,
> please post the url here and i’ll link to it from the MC4D site.
>
> -melinda
>
> Remigiusz Durka wrote:
>
> >Excuse me for talking so much….(when I joined there started the high activity
> >on this group;))
> >
> >I have another questions and suggestions:
> >
> >-I want to translate the solution (using some texts from the page
> >http://www.superliminal.com/cube/solution/solution.htm can I do it? I want to
> >make better picuteres for sequences and show the algoritms more clearly…But I
> >will be using vocalbulary and system from the page…
> >
> >-There should be more clearly shown that other cubes (2^4, 4^4 and 5^4) are
> >aviable ..but in linux version…(I was not the only one who missed that note in
> >the page…)
> >
> >-Why windows version hasn’t got option to change the size of the cube?
> >
> >-Why cube in the linux version can’t be seen from any direction (like windows
> >ver.) - probably the last questions are connected ;)
> >
> >It’s all for today….
> >
> >
> >
> >Thank you for any possible answers..And good night
> >
> >RemiQ
> >
> >
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> >
> >——————————————————————————–
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> >
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–
Don Hatch
hatch@plunk.org
http://www.plunk.org/~hatch/