Posted-Date: Wed, 7 Apr 93 12:40:05 -0400
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 93 12:40:05 -0400
From: jgg@proforma.com (J. G. Gregory)
Message-Id: <9304071640.AA01477@proforma.com>
To: rman@aero.org
Subject: Summary: Need a right-handed world

In January and February of 1993, I asked for information on how to make  
the NeXT 3Dkit "right-handed" throughout.  At that time, no one was able  
to help.  There were several suggestions, but none of them worked.

Two weeks ago, with still no solution, the problem became large enough  
for us to request help from NeXT developer support, on their "pay per  
problem" developer support system.  I have recently received a reply  
indicating that, in fact, you can't.  That is, using the tools as  
provided, there are built-in assumptions (in the 3Dkit, not rman/qrman)  
on the use of a left-handed coordinate system.

They admitted to at least one bug in [N3DCamera setEyeAt:toward:roll:]  
related to this.  This is the same method that provides an insuffcient  
specification to position the camera, ensuring that things like looking  
down the Y axis fail.  We have spoken of this in this forum.

I have also experimented with various other work arounds, as suggested  
by NeXT developer support, but am becoming disillusioned.  There appear  
to be many assumptions of left-handedness; I can't seem to get around  
them all.

If anyone thinks they have a completely right-handed solution (camera  
and world), by all means let me know.

--J Gregory
[The fee was waived after they couldn't help.]