Introduction

GETTING PERSPECTIVE FOR JAVA

Perspective for Java is available via the Internet from the Three |D| Graphics Web page at http://www.threedgraphics.com. Perspective for Java is available in three versions:

The Complete Library with Editor is the complete charting library for developers. It includes: all applets, the class files, and the JavaBean information for Perspective .class.

The Perspective Heavyweight Bean .JAR archive includes only the chart bean classes for ALL chart types and a copy of the TDGChartApplet. This .JAR should be used for Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT)-based development systems. This type of development system depends heavily on the underlying operating system interface (Windows, MacOS, UNIX) and requires the Perspective Heavyweight Bean .JAR.

The Perspective Lightweight Bean .JAR archive includes only the chart bean classes for all chart types and a copy of TDGChartApplet. This .JAR should be used for Swing and/or JFC development systems. This type of development system has fewer dependencies on the underlying operating system and can use the Perspective Lightweight Bean .JAR.

Follow these steps to get Perspective for Java:

  1. Go to the Three |D| Graphics web page at http://www.threedgraphics.com.
  2. Select "Development Tools" from the Products menu.
  3. Select "Perspective for Java" from the "Development Tools" menu.
  4. If you are NOT a registered user, select the "Download Demo" link and fill in the provided form completely. Three |D| Graphics will evaluate your intended use and determine if Perspective for Java supports your development requirements. If Perspective is suitable for your intended use, you will receive a password to access the download page.
  5. When you receive your password from Three |D| Graphics or if you are already a registered user, repeat steps 1...3. Then, enter your e-mail address and password in the "Registered Users" form.
  6. Click the "Click to Login" button to continue to the Perspective for Java download page. This page will identify the latest versions of software that are available for downloading.
  7. Choose the version (Complete Library, Heavyweight Bean, or Lightweight Bean) that is right for your development system and development requirements.
  8. When the next Download page is displayed:
  1. Make sure your development environment includes the minimum requirements for Perspective for Java.
  2. Read the "Build History".
  3. Read the "Instructions for Setting up your Development Environment".
  4. Select a specific file to download.

The latest build software will provide you with the latest version of Perspective for Java.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Perspective for Java is a Java Class Library, JavaBean, and Applet for creating dynamic charts from data in any Java environment. Perspective for Java provides over 100 distinct chart types (from simple bars and pies to radar, polar, and complex 3D charts), 13 chart editing tools, and over 400 properties and methods.

This is an entirely new Java code base from Three |D| Graphics, the company that has provided charting technology to the leading members of the software industry for over a decade. The "Perspective Look" is in use in over 5 million sites worldwide, and now you can bring this same power to your own Java development environment!

Perspective for Java includes a full set of properties, methods, and user interface tools for Java developers who want to create data-driven graphics, and works in any Java-compatible development environment, browser, or operating system.

The Perspective Chart Editor is our Java Application (it is also available in Applet form) for editing and saving charts. It has a complete user interface that is written entirely in Java.

You use the TDGLoadSave application for loading, changing, and saving chart templates for use in your web pages or Java applets. Or you can run TDGChartEditorApplet directly within your Intranet-based web page to give users complete editing control over the chart. TDGLoadSave saves all chart settings as Java source code, which you can:

With the Chart Editor, there is no more tedious manual settings of hundreds of chart properties. Just set up your chart in the Editor, select Save, and use the resulting code however you like!

Perspective Components

Perspective for Java currently consists of the following elements:

Usage Requirements

Perspective for Java can be used on a variety of different hardware/software platforms (e.g., Windows, UNIX, Macintosh, etc.). The only requirements for using Perspective for Java are:

A "client" machine MUST have graphics capability (i.e., a graphics device or video card must be attached). For example, you cannot run Perspective for Java on a UNIX server that does not have a video card installed. If you are running Perspective for Java on a server (to generate GIF charts, for example), the server MUST be configured to show graphics.

Java AWT Applications that use rich graphics will only work on UNIX and MVS Servers with the following points:

  1. UNIX and Open Edition MVS Servers must have X11 Servers installed or equivalent graphics rendered servers for Java AWT applications to be used.
  2. From the command (xterminal) console, the administrator must use the following command:
xhost + <name of client using java application>

This will insure that the client is allowed to use the X11 resources to execute Java AWT applications. If the Server is executing the application, it must have xhost enabled for its Server as well.

  1. Patches related to the installation of Java on specific servers must be installed prior to installing Java. Examples:
  1. If not running a CGI, Web Servers associated with these parent servers must support JDK 1.1.

Example and Demo Code

Perspective for Java includes "live demos" and example .JAVA files. Although the contents of downloadable sample code will be revised and upgraded, the following examples and demonstrations should always be available:

TO RUN A SAMPLE: The .CLASS and .HTML files must reside in the same directory or class path as your .JAR file and executed there. The samples are stored in their own subdirectory for grouping purposes only, they will not execute in these locations.

TO COMPILE A SAMPLE: The .JAVA file must be in the same directory or class path as the .JAR file.

  1. Create a new "empty" project in your development environment. In Visual Cafe for example, select "New Project", select the "Empty Project" icon, and select OK.
  2. Add the Java sample you want to compile to this project. In Visual Cafe for example, select "InsertFiles into Project", select the .JAVA file you want to compile, select the Add button, and select OK.
  3. Compile the sample.