HepRep and FRED update - 11 January 2005

It seems quite incredible, but after all we should have the famous "back" button in FRED and HepRep that I've promised so long time ago to EM people.

HepRep tags

I've just made a new tag for HepRepSvc on the EM branch (coming from GRv4r7) called v0r8em1. It requires a new HepRepCorba tag v1r2 .. it is on a GR4.7 branch, so no new TKR code .. this one I've tested against the last HEAD (that should be ok) of EM.

I've also already imported the changes in the main trunk of HepRepSvc, providing a new tag also there (v0r11) .. this one should work with the LATEST build, so with the new TKR stuff .. I've not tested yet, but since all the changes after GR4.7 was only in TKR specific code, while mine are in the HepRepSvc classes itslef, I am sure there will be no problem Summarizing

HepRepSvc v0r8em1
HepRepCorba v1r2
HepRepXml v0r7

HepRepSvc v0r11
HepRepCorba v1r2
HepRepXml v0r7

And I forget, you need also IExternal/Omniorb v0r403p5 if you are on windows.

I will promote these tags for RM just after the VRVS.

FRED

You can find at the usual place a new FRED version that has some new stuff; it is 0.95 and it is on the FRED web page. Mainly it add the back button when connected to the CORBA server, but there are new things too

First of all I've step to a new stable version (1.2) of the FOX toolkit (the toolkit I use for GUI widgets) .. it should be faster and a more stable, and it looks overall better
New command-line options parser, you can see the usage by invoking
ruby fred.rb -h
Logging level can be set from the command line
It is possible to load a file (both heprep or ior file) from the command line
ruby fred.rb --source e:\ric\test\test.xml
ruby fred.rb --source e:\ric\test\hepeventserver.ior
It is possible to execute a script file (passed to the command line) just after the start of the gui
New About dialog with information on release notes, new features etc.
Now antialiasing and HUD display can be set in the Options panel as active by default
Cleaned the bottom tabbed panels; they are now working (visual control and log)
New options in the Options panel; you can now set the zoom sensitivity and some other stuff there
In the Corba plugin added a Back button to go back one event (if the Corba Server support this operation)

Please note that starting from next release I will suggest to step to a new version of Ruby, 1.8.2; I know (Anders news) that on SLAC this is already planned. The new FRED version is also quite ready to implement a live update feature, i.e. FRED will be able to connect to a server, look for update and update itself .. stay tuned on this ..

PROBLEMS

There is no Riccardo code without problem .. here the ones I've seen till now

I have to remove the splash screen because it was causing problem with the new FOX .. I'll work on this, but it is obviously very low priority
When you are looking at stored event and you go back to the first event, a new push of the "back" button will just step to the "next" one (instead of doing nothing) .. I already know how to fix this, I need some time .. anyway nothing harmful
When you are looking at event generated by G4Generator, the back button is present, it says "I am a back button", but instead of going back it is working exactly as the "next" button .. in principle when events are coming in the TDS from a generator, the back button must be disabled .. but I have no idea how to know the origin of TDS objects before loading them .. maybe I can just look at the top algorithms and if G4Generator is present, I can disable the button .. more work on this .. anyway again nothing harmful, maybe a little bit disorienting for new users
This is the first time I try to develop code on branches .. I really hope I've not done some stupid mistake .. anyway, CVS save us from too bad things and I keep a copy of all my packages here just to be sure

As always, JIRA is waiting for you new issues about FRED and HepRep :)