Keep a tool running in the background?

Chris Fullmer

Is it possible to keep a tool running in the background? Say I have a tool that adds some draw elements to the screen, and I would like them to stay visible while the user is doing other things - like drawing, push/pulling. Is that possible?

Chris

AdamB

No

Chris Fullmer

Well there goes that great script idea

Chris

thomthom

Would it not be possible to overload the Tool class? Implement a new draw method which calls the old method and at the end do your own drawing?

AdamB

No, because as (I think you thomthom) discovered "All tools are equal, but some Tools are more equal than others" so there are Ruby tools which we mortals get to play with and extend and then there appears to be "Native code" tools that only those in swishy robes and working Boulder can play with.

And ultimately, its breaking the metaphor that we're being provided with. That of a sequence of: tool selection, tool use, tool disposal. The slight wrinkle introduced for the sake of usability in all this is the suspend/resume protocol in which the Orbit tool can be "semi-invoked" and then you return to the original tool.

If you're going to turn it into a "feat of engineering" and beat it into submission then I guess you could hook the OpenGL updates somehow and slip in your commands just before the glFinish() - but at that point its just that - "a feat of engineering".

thomthom

I want a swishy robe...

Matt666

@unknownuser said:

the Orbit tool can be "semi-invoked" and then you return to the original tool.

Aaaah Adam!!!! HOW can I create a ruby that can be semi-invoked, pleeeeaaaaase?
I asked for that here Some time ago...

Thank you!

remus

From adams post i get the feeling the orbit tool is a special case in the sense it can be invoked while another tools is being run. i.e. i dont think you can semi-invoke any other tools.

Matt666

Remus,
Actually all Zoom tools can be semi-invoked. Perhaps a special class...

@unknownuser said:

i dont think you can semi-invoke any other tools.
Aaar.... I hope you're wrong, Remus!!
PS: Great new modelling challenge..

fredo6

Actually all tools can be 'semi-invoked'.
The class Tools includes 2 methods: push_tooland pop_tool that can be used to suspend and resume tools.

Fredo

thomthom

@unknownuser said:

Actually all tools can be 'semi-invoked'.
The class Tools includes 2 methods: push_tooland pop_tool that can be used to suspend and resume tools.

Fredo

That's interesting. I was wondering what those methods where for. Wish the manual clarified their use.

thomthom

So, do you push your own tool into the stack, and then pop it when it's done? Or do you have to push and pop the currently active tool?

fredo6

no clue. Never tried actually, but I guess it should help. So you should try it both ways to see what happens.
I use myself another technique to cascade tools, because I need more control.

Fredo