Re: Thinking in start a (simple) CAD program for Gnome

[I#igo Serna Robledo <imaseroi bicc00 bi ehu es>]

	Well, after a week to think (you and me ;-) in this, I have 
madurated the project (but don't panic, just a bit ;-)

	First, some things:

I want a 2D CAD application, not a POV, scenes creator or similar.
(Blender, Light Wave and those aren't CAD programs)


	These are my basic ideas:

* UI, of course, would be programmed with GNOME / Gtk+ in C

* objects database will be implemented in C too (I have been thinking in 
C++, but I don't like it very much, and I don't trust too much in the 
integration with the rest of the program).
I also have planteated CORBA but it is a very far 'TODO' ...

* on the 'drawing' motor the options are: gnome-canvas and 
OpenGL(MesaGL) with gtkGL / gtkglarea (by the way, which is better?)
Gnome-canvas doesn't seem as powerful as a Cad program needs ...

* the program would need several mathematics functions, such as 
resolution of nonlineal equations set and more.
I am searching for a GNU library with advanced algebraic functions like 
the mentioned.
The best option could be gsl (Mark Galassi: are you here?) but it doesn't
have all the functions I need. 
Other option could be to make a 'system' call to 'octave' or other 
similar math program but I don't like this idea ...
Any algebraic library out there?



Current status:
==============

	Well, now I am thinking in the general ideas of the program and 
my today's prefered options are: just C, OpenGl with gtkgl* and gsl.
The database would be a list (GList) of objects structures ...

Now I am writing some object structures (point, line, circle and ellipse 
by the moment) and coding some basic algebraic functions (lines 
intersection, circles intersection, tangents, ...)

	In two weeks I'll start the UI programming

Problems: 
---------
* I have never programmed using OpenGL
* I would have to code the algebraic functions for gsl.
(well, this doesn't have to be so bad ;-)
* It is a huge project.

	As you see, I need some help, specially with OpenGL (and with
everything too), so if someone want add to the project ...

		(Manuel Nuņez, I am waiting for you ;-)


	Greetings:
                                                             INIGO SERNA

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