./README_alphax

*
* README for IBM Visualization Data Explorer for DEC 3000 APX
*
* (C) COPYRIGHT International Business Machines Corp. 1991-1997
* All Rights Reserved.
* Licensed Materials - Property of IBM
*
* US Government Users Restricted Rights - Use, duplication or
* disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.
*
*
 
 
The information contained in this file consists of hints for using the
system, help with functions that may not be apparent, and last minute updates
to the existing documentation.  It is advisable to review this file any time
Data Explorer updates are applied.
 
========================================================================
 
CONTENTS
 
    To go directly to an item, search for the item number beginning
    at the left margin.
 
    1. System Configuration 
       A. Keyboard Mappings
       B. X warnings during drag and drop 
    2. Hardware Rendering Considerations
       A. Shared Library Support for Hardware Rendering
       B. Hardware Rendering Not Available Message
       C. Transparency not enabled on the PXG adaptor family
 
========================================================================
 
 
1. System Configuration 
 
A. Keyboard Mappings
The DEC Alpha may issue a warning message when dx is started.  The message
complains about an illegal mnemonic character that it could not do a 
keysym to keycode conversion on.  The offending key is the "End" key.  The
solution is use the xmodmap facility to "change the keycaps" on the DEC
keyboard.  The Alpha executes a file called .X11Startup in your home 
directory when you log in.  Place the following line of code in the
.X11Startup in your home directory:
 
    xmodmap -e "keycode 0x74 = End"
 
This will cause the F14 key on the DEC LK401 (American) keyboard to
behave like the "End" key.
 
This will handle the case where you log into the DEC Alpha.  If you are
running from another workstation and displaying to the DEC Alpha, you
should execute the following commands (in order):
 
    1. export DISPLAY=alpha_system_name:0 (ksh) or
       setenv DISPLAY alpha_system_name:0 (csh)
    2. xmodmap -e "keycode 0x74 = End"
    3. dx
 
                                 /-----|
    Data Explorer interpets the <   X  |  above the Return key as "Delete".
                                 \-----|
 
B. X warnings during drag and drop 
The X server on OSF/1 V2 can exhaust its resources during drag and drop
operations.  If you see several Xlib warnings on stderr while dragging
several nodes in the Visual Program Editor, then the following change 
to /usr/lib/X11/xdm/Xservers will solve the problem:
 
before:
:0 local /usr/bin/X11/X
 
after:
:0 local /usr/bin/X11/X -bs -su
  
This disables backing store and save unders.  After making this
change the X server must be restarted, this is most easily accomplished
with the following (as root):
 
/sbin/init.d/xdm stop
/sbin/init.d/xdm start 
 
2. Hardware Rendering Considerations
 
A. Shared Library Support for Hardware Rendering
When hardware rendering is requested for the first time, the executive
dynamically loads /usr/lpp/dx/bin_alphax/DXhwddOGL.o and the OpenGL shared 
libraries.  If one of these is not present then hardware rendering will 
be disabled.
 
B. Hardware Rendering Not Available Message
When the message 'Hardware rendering not available: /usr/lib/libGL.a not
found' appears, then OpenGL shared library or run-time support has 
not been installed. 
 
C. Transparency not enabled on the PXG adaptor family
When using hardware rendering, transparency is not enabled on the 
PXG family of graphic adaptors because of performance reasons.
However, the existance of the environment variable DX_PXG_TRANSPARENCY
will enable the use of transparency on that adaptor.
 
 
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The following trademarks apply to this information:
 
DEC 3000 APX is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corp.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
IBM Visualization Data Explorer is a trademark of International
    Business Machines Corporation.
Motif, OSF, and OSF/Motif are trademarks of Open Software Foundation, Inc.
OpenGL is a trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc.