gbBlocks3D

gbBlocks3D displays rectangular objects in 3D format. It's intended use is as a utility application, providing simplistic 3D display capability for applications which do not have the capability themselves.

When started with a file name as a command line argument, gbBlocks3D will open the file, read the list of blocks (see format below) and display the results.

The display supports spin, zoom, translatation and various color schemes, The display can be shown as points, lines, or surfaces. The imported list can be edited and saved within gbBlocks3D.

gbBlocks3D also acts as a stand alone application, allowing the user to type in a list of blocks and display the resulting 3D image. The manually generated block list may be also be saved for later editing/vieweing.

Download (v1.0, 194KB)

This first screenshot shows a scene consisting of a base block, on which 4 additinal blocks have been placed.

In this next screenshot, the base has been removed.

And in this screenshot, the blocks are shown at different height from one another.

gbBlocks3D uses a single main window, consisting of a toolbars and an image display area. The scene data may optionally be displayed.

Feature List

gbBlocks3D provides the following features, allowing it to provide 3D dislays for other applications, or to act as a standalone 3D editing/viewing application.

Accept a filename as a command line argument
Display 3D images consisting of only blocks
Edit/Save block scene data
Display Ascii stereolithography 3D object files
Limit display to points, lines, or surfaces
Rotate/zoom/ 3D display
Mouse/keyboard support for most commands
Move image left/right or up/down
Color display options (gradient, default, and as-defined by scene data file)
Online Help (this page)

Scene Data

The scene data, as read from a scene file, can be viewed (optional) as shown on the left in this image. The data can be edited and then it's contents applied to update the 3D display. The edits can also be saved as the currently opened file.

Sessions are not saved! When gbBlocks3D closes, or when a new file is opened, any unsaved changes to the scene data will be lost!

The scene data textbox provides the following context menu, which contains the standard cut/copy/paste/delete options associated with textboxes, plus two scene-specific options.

Apply Edited Scene Data
Updates the display to match the content of the Scene Data textbox. It does not save the scene data to file.
Reload Scene Data File
Reloads the currently opened scene data file. This will overwrite any manual changes.

Stereolithography

gbBlocks3D can open ascii and binary stereolithography files. Here's an example of a "Trek" STLA file opened in gbBlocks3D.

gbBlocks3D does not support editing/saving of stereolithography files.

Toolbar

The gbBlocks3D interface includes the following two toolbar.

Open
Opens a dialog for selecting a layout file to open in gbBlocks3D. The adjacent dropdown list lists all files in the "layouts" subfolder, providing an easier way to select a file to open.
Save
Saves the current layout without asking the user for confirmation. Uses the current filename.
SaveAs
Opens dialog for specifying the name of file to save
Reset
Center, scale to fit, and rotate scene to original position
Points
Draws the display using points only
Lines
Draws the display using lines only
Triangles
Draws the display with surfaces filled in
BGColor
When pressed, toggles through a series of pre-defined background colors. The associated dropdown menu provides the following menu options:
- Background Color
  Select background color
- Point Color
  Select default point color
- Line Color
  Select default line color
- Triangle Color
  Select default triangle color
- Restore Default Colors
  Restore default point/line/triangle colors
Capture
Sends an image of the scene display to the clipboard
Settings
When pressed, toggles display of the point gradient color setting. The associated dropdown menu provides the following menu options:
- AutoSize Drawing to Window
  Resize scene to fit within display boundaries
- Use Gradient Colored Points
  Uses gradient colors to draw points
- Show Surface Lines
  Draws lines between display points
- Gradient Surface Colors
  Uses gradient colors to draw surfaces
- Block Surface Colors
  Uses surface colors provides by the scene data file
- Default Surface Colors
  Uses default colors to draw surfaces
- BackFace
  Enables use of backface culling during 3D rendering
- DepthSort
  Enables use of depth sorting during 3D rendering
- Rotate About X Axis
  Enables rotation around the x axis
- Rotate About Y Axis
  Enables rotation around the y axis
Help
Opens the online Help page (this page)

Keyboard Shortcuts

The following key combinations are available to the user to access gbBlocks3D features:

F1 - Help
Ctrl-A - Apply edited scene data
Ctrl-C - Capture scene image to clipboard
Ctrl-D - Show scene data
Ctrl-G - Toggle gradient point colors
Ctrl-O - Open existing scene file
Ctrl-P - Cycle through point sizes
Ctrl-R - Reset display to initial position/zoom
Ctrl-S - Save current scene design
Ctrl-T - Display Star Trek Enterprise
Ctrl-Left Arrow - Rotate to left about Y axis
Ctrl-Right Arrow - Rotate to right about Y axis
Ctrl-Up Arrow - Rotate up about X axis
Ctrl-Down Arrow - Rotate down about X axis
Shift-Left Arrow - Move object to left in display
Shift-Right Arrow - Move object to right in display
Shift-Up Arrow - Move object up in display
Shift-Down Arrow - Move object down in display
+ (Keypad) - Zoom In
- (Keypad) - Zoom Out

Other Comments

Miscellaneous information is provided in this section.

INI File
gbBlocks3D application settings are saved in an INI file, kept in the same folder as the gbBlocks3D application.

Comments and suggestions are welcome!