Re: Re: EMC, Linux, RTlinux, General Questions

I want to thank many for the kinds words re EMC's backplot and the
handbook. And FIFW I think that some progress is being made in this
thread. I am going to post in response to Wally's "stir up" post
recognizing that there were a bunch of responses after it.

>Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2000 01:32:28 -0000
>From: "Wally K" <cnc4me@...>

>cnc4me?? Asks:

>This actually brings up 2 questions how does one go about buying
>video cards that are not sold anymore.

I haven't found much problem with the cheap stuff or the surplus stuff.
They seem to work with the generic svga drivers from Linux. If you just
spent 5k for the latest 3d cad card with 12 gig onboard ram keep it
in your cad machine. If your driver is a Rage then you will need to
upgrade x-windows for either 5.2 or the ZipSlack CD.

>And what graphic display
>capabilities does EMC have. Does EMC have highly graphic toolpath /
>part graphic generating abilities, like 3D modeling.

I wrote the original backplotter for the EMC and it did have some 3d
capability but the use of the term "highly graphic" has me and
several others wondering exactly what you are expecting or want to compare
it against. Paul Corner is just finishing up a full six axis plotter with
zoom and rotate that is intended to go with the new interpreter. But
again we don't pretend to write "eye candy" code. We really want to see
what that the toolpath is gonna look like before we commit an irreparable
act.

Wally -- We've had quite a little bit of discussion about these kinds of
issues before. Most of the EMC contributors volunteers. That includes
Jon, Matt, Terry, Tim, Dan, Dave, Ian, and a WHOLE bunch of others. (sorry
if in the heat of the moment, I missed your name) And most all of us are
explorers rather than settlers -- we carry quick-draw keyboards,
wagons full of tools and parts, and opinions, and are unafraid of
using any or all of them. We like nothing better than facing off over
a common issue. And most of us walk into a fray with a grin beause we
know that others have the same tools and may be just as quick on the draw
and as accuarate, or heaven forbid, better.

And many folk in these CAD_CAM... parts have come to the conclusion that,
"if you really need something that isn't in there yet, you'd better be
prepared to write it, build it, buy it, and not fuss about others that
find a different vision!"

Read Mode On! -- Write Mode Off! -- or listmom'll have my ass!

Ray (da youpper, eh)