All Sun and SGI workstations within the
module load amira
Then type:
amiraNow four windows will be displayed:
All of these windows will be empty initially (unless a network script(explained below) file name is specified on the command line). Once Amira is running data or stored scripts may be loaded, as in the example above.
The main viewer window:
This window is the main graphics and image viewing space. All interactive 3D interactions take place here. When the "hand" cursor (upper right) is chosen rotation of the scene is done using the left mouse button. A virtual trackball interaction model is implemented. The thumb wheels (lower left and lower right) control restricted rotation and dollying (i.e. zooming). Use of the center mouse button controls translation of the scene. Various other controls around the viewing space are explained in the User Guide.
The module pool and workspace windows (actually one window with two parts)
The upper portion of this window is the "Object Pool". It is used for the iconic representation of data objects, compute modules, display modules and measurement modules. Lines connecting various modules show dependencies among them, not data flow. There is no requirement for all modules to be connected since some may affect the global environment rather than having a specific dependency on any other object. The collection of modules in the module pool and their dependencies are called a "network". Networks may be saved and reloaded to the same state at a later time, or they, along with the actual data files, may be sent to another user.The lower part of this window is the module work area. Here details of a module and its parameters are displayed, usually with user controllable widgets called "Ports". All ports have default values, or they may be initialized by making a dependency connection to another module. Often the range of a port's values will be automatically set based on its dependency on another object.
Multiple modules may be selected in the module pool and their combined ports will be displayed in the module work area in the lower part of the window. Specific ports may be "pinned" so that they will remain displayed even when the module is no longer selected. Unpinned ports disappear when their module is deselected.
And the console windowNext: Data: Loading, Displaying, Saving
The console window is where information and error messages are output as Amira is executing. It will also accept a variety of TCL commands that can be used to control the viewer or as an alternate input method for modules and their ports. This is a valuable place to issue inquiry commands to get information about a visualization This information can then be used to build scripts.
Notes:
Since 3D objects are projected onto a 2D screen and the mouse moves only in a 2D plane the virtual trackball is an approximation to a 3D interaction device. However, it is fairly intuitive and unrestricted given the environment. Think of a track ball positioned in the middle of the viewer window and think of the cursor as your hand rolling the track ball around. The rotation of the objects around their origin will closely approximate the rotation of the virtual track ball. For people who have not used this method it may seem a bit unusual at first but most people quickly learn to see the connection of the actions to the displayed objects and anticipate the results.
This information is available in alternative formats upon request by individuals with disabilities. Please send email to alt-format@msi.umn.edu or call 612-624-0528. |
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