Hardware Stereo for LINUX, Compaq Alpha, SGI

The new xfit version 4 supports hardware stereo using either NuVision or CrystalEyes hardware. Here's what you need for LINUX/Compaq Alpha and SGI!

• LINUX and Compaq - The stereo for these units uses the same glasses as for the SGI but also needs a sync doubler. Both of these are sold by NuVision and by CrystalEyes (see Vendors below).  The NuVision unit is 60GX-NSR (~$400 including glasses, emitter and sync doubler).  The CrystalEyes emitter/sync doubler is the CrystalEyesPC emitter ($200).  The stereo glasses from both companies are completely interchangable.  One consideration is your monitor - it should be capable of at least 120 Hz vertical refresh at the image size you use (with a faster vertical refresh being better).  We have been able to use many monitors although the slower ones sometimes compress the image to half the size in vertical;  to compensate for this, a variable aspect ratio has been added to xfit (see below).  If you use the virtual screen option in LINUX to make your virtual screen larger than the actual screen, you will have to turn this feature off (1).  Another consideration is the vertical blank time.  On SGI's this was carefully controlled and known to the software. Using the sync doubler this is unknown, and has to be set by the user (see below).  Lastly, to get in and out of stereo mode in xfit requires two operations, hit ESC in xfit and press the button on the sync doubler.  The advantage is that these units work with any monitor of the multisync type with a PC style connector and a vertical refresh rate of better than 120 Hz.  This describes most modern monitors.

New xfit key commands  (the focus must be in the canvas for these to work.)


  9   Decrease stereo blank interval (use with 0 to adjust stereo height alignment)
  0   Increase stereo blank interval
  (    Decrease stereo y stretching (use with ')' to adjust stereo aspect ratio)
  )    Increase stereo y stretching

Adjusting the blank interval puts the left and right images at the same height on the screen.  To adjust, turn off the emitter, press "9" and "0" until the images are the same height.

If the picture is too tall or too short use the "(" and ")" keys to stretch or compress the image.

To save these parameters between xfit sessions environment variables are used, XFIT_BLANKINTERVAL and XFIT_ASPECTRATIO.  When the new xfit quits, and the variables have changed since it started, it will write out these new values to the screen and to the file "xfit_stereo_parameters.dat" in the current directory.  To remember these new values, copy the two "setenv" commands to your .cshrc or to your XtalView.env depending upon which way you are invoking XtalView.  You may need different sets for different machine environments.
 

New xfit with hardware stereo (and lots of other new features) - replace old xfit


       Xfit4.0 for LINUX
       Xfit4.0 for Alpha
 

New dictionaries with torsions, impropers, and DNA - works MUCH better - not compatible with versions below 4.0 (put in $XTALVIEWHOME/data)


       dict.noh.pdb
       dict.polarh.pdb
       dict.allh.pdb

Note: you must have previously installed XtalView 3.2 and have it up and running before you can use the new xfit.  Xfit will start standalone but nothing will work as you expect.

• SGI - Xfit already supports stereo on SGI and people have been using CrystalEyes that ship with SGI's for some time.  Users might like to know about the NuVision glasses however, which are compatible with CrystalEyes emitters and less expensive.  Order item 60GX (~$250).  To get in and out of stereo mode in xfit just press ESC.  The adjustments above are not needed.

• Xfit 4.0 for SGI IRIX5
• Xfit 4.0 for SGI IRIX6

MacNaughton Inc., formerly NuVision Technologies Inc.
1815 NW 169th Place, Building 3060
Beaverton, Oregon 97006
USA
Tel: (503)614-9000
Fax: (503)614-9100
Be sure to specify workstation/PC graphics card at time of order
 

StereoGraphics Corporation
2171 E. Francisco Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94901
USA
Tel:
Within USA: 800-783-2660
Outside USA: 415-459-4500
Fax: 415-459-3020

1. To turn off the virtual screen:
Edit the /usr/lib/X11/XF86Config file and make the Virtual line the same as the Modes in the subsection Display

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