VRScilab -- a toolbox for transforming
Scilab-generated-3D-graph into VRML 2.0 files.
3D-graphs plotted in Scilab can only be exported
as 2D graphs, in PostScript, Xfig or GIF formats.
This means that unless the user also sends the script,
workmates, students or other users will not be able
to view the original 3D graph from other angles.
Even if the user sends the script to the recipients,
those recipients will been to have Scilab installed.
This is clearly a problem for the client/server
model of ScilabAnywhere.
To overcome this VRScilab permits any 3D graph
generated by a Scilab script to be transformed into
a 3D-graph described by VRML. Thus the user can
author, view and distribute interactive 3D-graphs
created through Scilab without having to be working
in the Scilab environment.
VRScilab includes a code-editor window to enable
the user to write Scilab scripts directly, but the
"Open" command in the "File"
menu permits the import of existing .sci files.
Once the script is in place, one click on the "Convert
to VRML" button, and VRScilab will scan the
script and generate the corresponding VRML code.
During the process, the user can specify the graph
type with their preferred lighting, texture and
backgrounds.
VRScilab would not only be useful for professionals
such as architects and mathematicians, but also
for students and anyone needing to produce 3D graphs.
Having performed a calculation in Scilab, the user
can import the script into VRScilab to create a
.wrl format 3D-graph, which can be displayed over
the web without requiring the Scilab environment.
This greatly simplifies sharing work with others.
Advantages:
1. The .wrl file output by VRScilab can be interpreted
by any web-browser with a VRML plug-in. The 3D-graph
will be displayed within the browser, and the user
need not have access to the Scilab environment.
This means work can be distributed widely, even
to recipients who do not have Scilab installed.
2. VRScilab permits 3D Scilab graphs to be uploaded
to a website, making them immediately accessible
to anyone with access to the internet.
3. Users can rotate the 3D-graph in any direction,
move it, even walk through it. All VRML methods
are provided for in the graphs produced by VRScilab.
4. VRScilab covers virtually every 3D-plotting
function including plot3d(), fplot3d(), param3d()
and hist3d(). Given its full mathematical support,
VRScilab will meet almost every requirement.
5. VRScilab allows the user to add back-ground
pictures in every plane and define object surfaces
including textures. Thus it extends the ability
to plot 3D-graphs in Scilab.
6. In order to make 3D-graphs more readable, VRScilab
can draw axes in three directions, placing the maximum
and minimum values in the appropriate positions.
7. VRScilab includes a coding environment for editing
Scilab scripts, which includes the basic commands:
"Undo", "Redo", "Cut",
"Copy", "Paste", "Find"
and "Replace".
8. Extensive on-line help system, including balloon
messages, on-line user-guide and a Wizard to help
the user achieve their purpose more easily.
9. VRScilab combines the immense power of Scilab
to carry out matrix calculations with with the ability
to generate VRML surface matrices and indices.
