Symbols

.Alias,

utility, 9

.aXe, 29-38

menu bar in, 30

text editing with, 29

Numerics

24-bit

images

producing for color maps and backgrounds

with convert, 40

8-bit

images

producing to use as masks, transparency and bump maps

with convert, 40

matte files

converting to 24-bit RGB run-length pix files

with matteRGB, 77

A

Alias

extended triangle files

and alias_to_sgo, 23

converting to SGO files

with alias_to_sgo, 22

image files

converting to Apple QuickTime movies, 51

converting to SGI movies, 51

Image Quantizer. See aquant

matte files,

and fstats, 55

models

and fastrender, 45

old versions of and gamma, 61

picture files

and fstats, 55

displaying with wrl, 142

placing interactively

with wrl, 142

pix files,

combining stereo pairs of images into

with rb_stereo, 99

converting

to AT&T TARGA Format 10 image files with ftarga, 56

to TIFF format with ftiff, 57

plot files

translating

to HG-GL with hp_glplotf, 67

to Postscript with psplotf, 91

plotter

setup in, ??-159

preferences

querying value of

with get_alias_variable, 62

procedural textures

and AliasToRenderman, 20

RGB format files

converting to Quantel Harry 4:2:2 files

with harry, 66

run-length encoded 8-bit matte files

turning camera depth files into

with depthmap, 43

SDL files

creating raycast image files from

with renderer, 101

creating raytraced image files from

with renderer, 101

shaders

and PIXAR shaders, 20

stand-alone utilities, 9-??

system

information about

getting with getid, 63

triangle files

creating

and alias_to_sgo, 22

determining topology of

with surfmate, 118

version

and file header information, 89

wire files

converting

Pro/Engineer Render files to with PRenderToAlias, 86

creating RIB format files from

with AliasToRenderman, 15

translating to CAI format, 12

translating to Inventor format, 13, 72

Alias,

utility, 9

alias_render_demon,

utility, 9

alias_to_sgo, 22-23

and color, 22

and model complexity, 23

and normals, 22-23

terms used with, 22

AliasToRenderman, 15-21

limitations of, 20-21

terms used with, 15-20

aliasWarning,

utility, 9

Alt key

using in aXe, 30

AlToCa, 12

AlToIv, 13

Ambient

shade

and AliasToRenderman, 20

Animation

compressed FlipBook

saving, 49

of cameras

and fastrender, 45

output

transferring to Apple Macintosh systems, 51

previewing

and fastrender, 45

with flipbook, 49

quantized

creating, 27

wire files with

and write_multiple_sdl, 140

Anisotropic View Scale

Horizontal

and Dial Box, 148

Vertical

and Dial Box, 148

Apple

Macintosh systems

transferring animation output to, 51

QuickTime movies

converting Alias image files to, 51

aquant, 27-28

default output of, 27

terms used with, 27

usage of, 27

Area

lights,

and AliasToRenderman, 20

Arguments

and pstget, 93

ASCII

format

and sla, 116

AT&T TARGA Format 10 image files

converting to Alias pix files with ftarga, 56

Automatic

page advance

for plotters, 164

aXe

menu

in aXe, 35

aXe,

information about, 35

window layout, 29

axe,

utility, 9

B

Backgrounds

and AliasToRenderman, 20

for stages

and fastrender, 45

producing 24-bit images to use for

with convert, 40

Batch

commands

for rndctl, 108

specifying with rndctl, 106

beep, 39

Binary

format

and sla, 116

Blocks

in PST editor window, 93

Boolean

entries

in PST editor window, 94

Boundary

edges, 119

loops, 121

Buffer

menu

in aXe, 34

Bump

mapping

and AliasToRenderman, 20

maps

and fastrender, 45

producing 8-bit images to use as

with convert, 40

C

CAI files

translating Alias wire files to, 12

Cameras

animation of

and fastrender, 45

depth files of

turning into Alias run-length encoded 8-bit matte or mask files

with depthmap, 43

CLIP, 157

in plotter configuration files, 155

Collapse

distance

and tolerance

with surfmate, 121

setting

and surfmate, 123-124

Color

and alias_to_sgo, 22

gamma correction of with gamma, 61

maps

producing 24-bit images to use for

with convert, 40

-per-vertex values

and alias_to_sgo, 22

Colors

complementing

with convert, 40

Comments,

visible

in PST editor window, 94

Conditional entries

in PST editor window, 95

Construction

history

rendering with write_multiple_sdl, 140

Control

files

and rndctl, 106

convert, 40-42

default option, 41

options, 40-41

terms used with, 40

Converting

Pro/Engineer Render format files to Alias wire files

with PRenderToAlias, 86

Copying

text

in aXe, 37

Correction factor for plotters, 164-165

CPUs

and fpaste, 53

Ctrl key

using in aXe, 30

Curve

networks

animated

rendering with write_multiple_sdl, 140

Customizing

keyboard shortcuts for aXe, 30

menu buttons

in aXe, 36

D

Default

conversion

with ftarga, 56

convert option, 41

icon size

and make_pix_icons, 76

output of aquant, 27

tolerances

and surfmate, 122

for PRenderToAlias, 87

DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE, 158

in plotter configuration files, 155

Delete

menu

in aXe, 32

Dependencies

in PST editor window, 95

Depth

files of cameras

turning into Alias run-length encoded 8-bit matte or mask files

with depthmap, 43

depthmap, 43

terms used with, 43

Dial Box, 146-148

alternative to mouse for View functions, 146

undoing controls of, 146

Dials

on Dial Box, 146

functions of, 147

Displacement

mapping

and AliasToRenderman, 20

Displaying

Alias picture files

with wrl, 142

Dithering,

and froam, 54

Dolly

View In

and Dial Box, 147

view with Space Mouse, 150

Driver

options

for plotter, 162-163

program

for plotters, 91

DXF

files

obtaining information about

with dxf_info, 44

dxf_info, 44

E

Edges,

boundary, 119

Edit

windows

titles of, 93

Editing,

buffer

in aXe, 36

text

with .aXe, 29

Editor

windows

creating with PST editor system, 92

Entities

listing occurrences of in VDAFS files

with vda_info, 139

Entries

in PST editor window, 94

Evaluating

surfmate results, 124

F

fastrender, 45

description of, 45

Features

extracting with convert, 40

filace, 46

default output from, 46

terms used with, 46

File

Æ Export Æ Save polygons - o, 22

Browser,

creating icons for with make_pix_icons, 76

formats

accepted by convert, 40

accepted by fstats, 55

accepted by gamma, 61

accepted by make_pix_icons, 76

accepted by pixdiff, 82

accepted by unlace, 138

translating from Alias wire to CAI, 12

translating from Alias wire to Inventor, 13

menu

in aXe, 34

Filename

in the aXe window, 29

Files

headers on

printing with print_wire_header, 89

non-antialiased matte

producing with convert, 40

wire

verifying with print_wire_header, 89

Filters, 153

for plotters, 163-164

findit, 47

FLEXlm, 48-??

flipbook, 49-50

terms used with, 49

Floating

point

sliders

in PST editor windows, 94

fmovie, 51-52

options for, 51-52

Font

menu

in aXe, 33

Form

type editor windows

creating with PST editor system, 92

fpaste, 53

froam, 54

terms used with, 54

fstats, 55

file formats used with, 55

ftarga, 56

terms used with, 56

ftiff, 57-58

and converting files for Macintosh, 57

terms used with, 57

ftile, 59-60

and gamepoly, 59

and mark, 59

options for, 59

Functions

of Spaceball, 149

G

gamepoly,

and ftile, 59

gamma, 61

file formats accepted by, 61

options for, 61

Geometry

3D

translating into physical models, 119

get_alias_variable, 62

getid, 63-65

and host type, 65

explanation of system information fields from, 64

terms used with, 63

Gray-scale TIFF files

and ftiff, 58

Green

/Red 3D stereo glasses

and rb_stereo, 99

H

Hardware

sensitivity setting

of Space Mouse, 151

harry, 66

restrictions on, 66

terms used with, 66

Headers

information,

and Alias version number in, 89

printing with print_wire_header, 89

Help

menu

in aXe, 32

Highlights

permanent

on objects

and alias_to_sgo, 22

Host

type and getid, 65

HP

/GL

plotters

adding support for, 155-159

/GL2

plotters

providing initialization commands for

with hp_gl2plotf, 67

-7475A plotter

paper sizes for, 155

hp_gl2plotf, 67

terms used with, 67

hp_glplotf, 67

terms used with, 67

hp_plotf filter, 164

terms used with, 164

I

Icons

default size of

and make_pix_icons, 76

producing with make_pix_icons, 76

IGES

entities

providing summary of with iges_info, 68

iges_info, 68-69

Image

files

breaking into separate files

with unlace, 138

creating icons for with make_pix_icons, 76

pasting together with fpaste, 53

Images

combining stereo pair into Alias RLE pix files

with rb_stereo, 99

gamma correcting with gamma, 61

interlacing scanlines of

with filace, 46

reporting pixel and scanline statistics for

with fstats, 55

tiling together with ftile, 59

Impressario

printers supported by, 168

IncreaseVSwap, 70

INFO, 157

in plotter configuration files, 155

Information

about

Alias system

displaying with systeminfo, 136

dxf files

obtaining with dxf_info, 44

machine set-up

getting with getid, 63

in file headers

and Alias version number, 89

Initialization commands for HP/GL2

including with hp_gl2plotf, 67

Insert

menu

in aXe, 31

install_glib, 71

Integer

sliders

in PST editor window, 94

Interlacing scanlines of images

with filace, 46

Inventor files

translating Alias wire files to, 13

translating to Alias wire files, 72

IvToAl, 72

options for, 72

K

Keyboard

shortcuts

customizing for aXe, 30

for aXe, 30

L

Layered

fog,

and AliasToRenderman, 20

Lights,

multiple sources

and fastrender, 45

Linear

lights

and AliasToRenderman, 20

lmutil, 10

Loops

boundary, 121

Luminance

calculations

and rb_stereo, 99

M

Machine

set-up information

getting with getid, 63

Macintosh

converting files for

with ftiff, 57

make_pix_icons, 76

file formats accepted by, 76

options for, 76

Manufacturing using SLA-1

and surfmate, 128

mark,

and ftile, 59

Mask

files,

viewing with wrl, 142

Masks

producing 8-bit images to use as

with convert, 40

Matte

files,

8-bit

converting to 24-bit run-length pix files

with matteRGB, 77

non-antialiased

producing with convert, 40

matteRGB, 77

Menu

bar

in aXe, 30

buttons

in aXe, 35

Messages

for get_alias_variable, 62

Mini Buffer

in aXe, 38

MiniMenu

in aXe, 38

Misc

menu

in aXe, 32

Models

and fastrender, 45

complexity of

and alias_to_sgo, 23

Mouse

alternative to for Views functions, 146, 149

using

with froam, 54

Move

menu

in aXe, 30

N

Non-antialiased matte files

producing with convert, 40

Normals

and alias_to_sgo, 22-23

O

OMFI

format files

converting pix files to with pix2omf, 84

onlineDocs

utility, 10

Orthographic

projections

and AliasToRenderman, 20

P

PAGEFEED, 158

in plotter configuration files, 155

Paper

sizes

for plotters, 165-??

Pasting

image files together

with fpaste, 53

Perspective

window

view

and fastrender, 45

Picture

files

checking if on render engine

with findit, 47

Pix

files,

comparing for differences

with pixdiff, 82

converting to OMFI format

with pix2omf, 84

searching through

with froam, 54

statistics on differences between

provided by pixdiff, 82

stereo

viewing with showstereo, 114

viewing with wrl, 142

pix2omf, 84-85

options for, 84

PIXAR shaders

and Alias shaders, 20

pixdiff, 82

terms used with, 82

Pixel

statistics for images

reporting with fstats, 55

Placing

Alias

picture files interactively

with wrl, 142

Playback

toggling modes during

with Space Mouse, 150

Plot

filter, 162

Plotter

device, 160

driver options, 162-163

options, 161

resolution

in plotter configuration files, 155

type

variable, 159

Plotters

automatic page advance for, 164

configuration files for

example of, 158-159

correction factor for, 164-165

driving with psplotf, 91

filters for, 163-164

installation of, 153-154

paper sizes for, 165-??

setup of

in Alias, ??-159

supported by Alias filters, 153

Plotting

remote

setup for, 154

Polygon

File Output Options window,

and alias_to_sgo, 22

Polysets

and PRenderToAlias, 86

Popup

menu

radio

in PST editor window, 95

Postscript

translating Alias plot files to

with psplotf, 91

powercaster, 10, 101-104

options for, 101-103

usage statement for, 101

powertracer, 11, 101-104

options for, 101-103

usage statement for, 101

Preferences

querying value of

with get_alias_variable, 62

PRenderToAlias, 86-88

options for, 86

specifying tolerances for, 87

specifying vertex normals in, 87

print_wire_header, 89-90

terms used with, 89

Printers

installation of, 153-154

supported by Alias filters, 153

supported by Impressario, 168

Printing

headers

with print_wire_header, 89

Procedural textures

and AliasToRenderman, 20

psplotf, 91, 163

terms used with, 91, 163

PST,

editor

launching, 92-93

querying values from, 93

system, 92-98

window

example of, 96-97

files

contents of, 92

writing, 93-96

pst, 92-98

pstget, 92-98

Q

Quantel

Harry 4:2:2 files

converting to Alias RGB format files

with harry, 66

Querying

value of preferences

with get_alias_variable, 62

Quit

menu

in aXe, 35

R

Radio

popup menus

in PST editor window, 95

RANGE, 157

in plotter configuration files, 155

Raycast

images

creating from Alias SDL files

with renderer, 101

Raytraced

images

creating from Alias SDL files

with renderer, 101

Raytracer

starting with write_multiple_sdl, 140

raytracer, 11, 101-104

options for, 101-103

usage statement for, 101

rb_stereo, 99-100

terms used with, 99

RealityEngine board

and fastrender, 45

Red

/Blue 3D stereo glasses

and rb_stereo, 99

Reflection

mapping

and fastrender, 45

Remote

plotting

setup for, 154

Render

engine

checking if picture files on

with findit, 47

Renderer

starting with write_multiple_sdl, 140

renderer, 101-104

example of, 103

options for, 101-103

usage statement for, 101

Rendering

animated curve networks

with write_multiple_sdl, 140

code

executing with renderit, 105

construction history

with write_multiple_sdl, 140

Control window

and rndctl, 106

renderit, 105

options for, 105

usage of, 105

RenderMan

and shadowmaps for spotlights, 21

Restrictions

on harry, 66

RIB

files

creating from Alias wire files

with AliasToRenderman, 15

rndctl, 106-112

batch commands for, 108

options for, 108

Run3Design, 11

runalias, 11

RunComposer, 11

S

Scanline

statistics for images

reporting with fstats, 55

SDL

files

converting wire files to with write_multiple_sdl, 140

Search

menu

in aXe, 31

Searching pix files

with froam, 54

Selecting

text

in aXe, 36-37

Sensitivity

setting

of Space Mouse, 151

SGI

image files

and rb_stereo, 99

Impressario printer support, 168

movies

converting Alias image files to, 51

SGO files

converting to from Alias extended triangle files

with alias_to_sgo, 22

Shadowmaps for spotlights

and Renderman, 21

Shadows

and RenderMan, 21

Show

menu

in aXe, 34

showstereo, 113, 114

options for, 114

syntax for, 113, 114

Silicon Graphics Object. See SGO

Six degrees of freedom

of Spaceball, 149

SLA

-1, 115

file format

converting triangle information to with sla, 115

manufacturing with

and surfmate, 128

sla, 115-116

terms used with, 115-116

usage statement for, 115

Snapshots

of animation

and fastrender, 45

Software

sensitivity setting

of Space Mouse, 151

Solid

Imaging (SI), 119

Space

Mouse, 150-152

hardware sensitivity settings, 151

menu for, 150

sensitivity settings, 151

software sensitivity settings, 151

time mode controls of, 152

Spaceball, 149

alternative to mouse for Views functions, 149

functions of, 149

six degrees of freedom of, 149

Stages,

and fastrender, 45

Stand-alone

Alias utilities, 9-??

Statistics

on pix file differences

provided by pixdiff, 82

Stereo

images

previewing with rb_stereo, 99

pairs of images

combining into Alias RLE pix files

with rb_stereo, 99

pix files

viewing

with showstereo, 114

Stereographics Corporation

stereo viewing hardware from

and showstereo, 114

String entries

in PST editor window, 95

Support

for HP/GL plotters

adding, 155-159

Surfaces

and triangles, 119

one-sided

and alias_to_sgo, 23

surfmate, 118-135

advanced exercise for, 131-135

and determining tolerance, 122

basic exercise for, 128-131

comments from, 119

default values of, 125

evaluating results of, 124

examples, 124-127

options, 118

usage statement for, 118

using, 127-128

when useful, 118

working with, 128-135

Swap

space

increasing size of with IncreaseVSwap, 70

System

information

displaying with systeminfo, 136

fields, explanation of

and getid, 64

systeminfo, 136

T

Text

copying

in aXe, 37

editing

with .aXe, 29

selecting

in aXe, 36-37

Textures

procedural

and AliasToRenderman, 20

Texturing

and fastrender, 45

TIFF

files

and aquant, 27

gray-scale

and ftiff, 58

Tiling

images together

with ftile, 59

Time

mode

and Space Mouse, 150

controls of Space Mouse, 152

Toggling

time and view modes

on Space Mouse, 150

Tolerance

and collapse distances

with surfmate, 121

default

and surfmate, 122

determining

with surfmate, 122

Tolerances

specifying for PRenderToAlias, 87

Topology, 119

of Alias triangle files

determining with surfmate, 118

Transferring

animation output to Apple Macintosh systems, 51

Translation

programs, 153

Transparency

and fastrender, 45

maps

and fastrender, 45

producing 8-bit images to use as

with convert, 40

Triangle

files

determining topology of

with surfmate, 118

information

converting to SLA-1 format with sla, 115

mesh

mating with surfmate, 118

Trim

edges

and surfmate, 122

Trimmed

surfaces

and surfmate, 122

Tumble

view with Space Mouse, 150

U

Undoing

Dial Box controls, 146

UNITS_PER_CM, 158

in plotter configuration files, 155

UNIX

Line Printer

facilities, 153

subsystem, 160

shell

using PRenderToAlias from, 87

unlace, 138

file formats used by, 138

usage statement for, 138

Utilities

Alias stand-alone, 9-??

V

Values

querying from PST editor, 93

querying with pstget, 97

vda_info, 139

usage statement for, 139

VDAFS

files

listing occurrences of entities in

with vda_info, 139

Vertex

normals

specifying in PRenderToAlias, 87

Vertices

merging

with PRenderToAlias, 87

View

mode

and Space Mouse, 150

Track

Horizontal

and Dial Box, 147

Vertical

and Dial Box, 147

Tumble

About the World Up Axis

and Dial Box, 147

Vertical

and Dial Box, 147

Twist

and Dial Box, 148

viewErrlog, 11

Viewing

alias_to_sgo conversion results, 22

mask files

with wrl, 142

pix files

with wrl, 142

Virtual swap space

increasing size of

with IncreaseVSwap, 70

Visible

comments

in PST editor window, 94

W

Wavefront file format

converting wire files to with surfmate, 127

Window

menu

in aXe, 33

Windows

and Dial Box, 146

editor

creating with PST editor system, 92

Wire

files

converting

to SDL files with write_multiple_sdl, 140

to wavefront format files with surfmate, 127

named

verifying with print_wire_header, 89

with animation

and write_multiple_sdl, 140

write_multiple_sdl, 140

options for, 140-141

usage statement for, 140

wrl, 142-144

terms used with, 142-143

usage statement for, 142

Z

Zooming

with froam, 54