SpecCommandLineDrawing - Revision history

Gsal: /* Documentation */

2010-01-08T10:54:19Z

Documentation

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:54, 8 January 2010
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	Which will link to the relevant online resource.		Which will link to the relevant online resource.

			Suggestion to the original author: Given the command spec detailed in section "Basic Command Structure", the help command should look more like

			help circle

	==Extensibility & Scriptability==		==Extensibility & Scriptability==

Inductiveload: /* Extensibility & Scriptability */

2008-10-22T00:52:11Z

Extensibility & Scriptability

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:52, 22 October 2008
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	<ol>		<ol>
	<li>A global XML-based list of commands and available parameters can be provided to allow quick integration of new functions, as well as providing brief help if needed.		<li><p>A global XML-based list of commands and available parameters can be provided to allow quick integration of new functions, as well as providing brief help if needed.</p>

	<p>A draft command list is found here: [[SpecCommandLineDrawing/DraftCmdList\|Draft Command List]]</p>		<ul><li>A draft command list is found here: [[SpecCommandLineDrawing/DraftCmdList\|Draft Command List]]</li></ul>
	</li>
	<li>		<li>
	Commands are provided as stand-alone packages in a dedicated sub-directory. Each command file contains its own command dictionary, as well as the routines for generating the SVG elements.		<p>Commands are provided as stand-alone packages in a dedicated sub-directory. Each command file contains its own command dictionary, as well as the routines for generating the SVG elements.</p>

	<p>This means that the commands are extremely easy to add, as all that is required is to add a single file to the correct folder. This makes a future automated system for adding new commands very easy to implement, and reduces the possibility that such a system will damage the global file though mistakes made in writing updates.</p>		<p>This means that the commands are extremely easy to add, as all that is required is to add a single file to the correct folder. This makes a future automated system for adding new commands very easy to implement, and reduces the possibility that such a system will damage the global file though mistakes made in writing updates.</p>

			<p>A short module containing the associations between what you write (eg. <tt>circle</tt>) and the module containing the functions for that command (eg. <tt>cl_circle.py</tt>) would seem to be the best way to allow the central script to keep track of what does and doesn't exist in the directory. I suggest that the functions are loaded dynamically so that only the needed functions are loaded. While this module could be included in the central script, breaking it out reduces the exposure of an inexperienced user to the main code, and reduces the chances of damage.</p>
			<ul>
			<li>
			A sample module is provided [[SpecCommandLineDrawing/DraftSubmodule\|here]].
			</li>
			<li>
			A sample association directory is provided [[SpecCommandLineDrawing/DraftAssDir\|here]].
			</li>
			</ul>
	</li>		</li>
	</ol>		</ol>

Inductiveload at 16:42, 20 October 2008

2008-10-20T16:42:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:42, 20 October 2008
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	==UI Changes==		==UI Changes==

	The only UI integration this proposal needs is a command line text box and an "Enter" button. Rhino has an advanced text entry system, using a long text box under the toolbars. Eagle, a piece of CAD software also has this system.		The only UI integration this proposal needs is a command line text box and an "Enter" button. Rhino has an advanced text entry system, using a long text box under the toolbars. Eagle, a piece of electrical CAD software, also has this system.

	In Inkscape, I anticipate this being located under the context toolbar, but above the ruler and drawing area. Ideally, a button would be provided on the main toolbar to allow this command entry box to be toggled on or off to save space for those who don't need this feature.		In Inkscape, I anticipate this being located under the context toolbar, but above the ruler and drawing area. Ideally, a button would be provided on the main toolbar to allow this command entry box to be toggled on or off to save space for those who don't need this feature.
Line 72:		Line 72:
	==Extensibility & Scriptability==		==Extensibility & Scriptability==

	The command structure should be easily extended to new functions and commands. ~~Perhaps an XML-based list of commands and available parameters can be provided to allow quick integration of new functions, as well as providing brief help if needed.~~		The command structure should be easily extended to new functions and commands. I see two contenders for this system:

	*A draft command list is found here: [[SpecCommandLineDrawing/DraftCmdList\|Draft Command List]]		<ol>
			<li>A global XML-based list of commands and available parameters can be provided to allow quick integration of new functions, as well as providing brief help if needed.

			<p>A draft command list is found here: [[SpecCommandLineDrawing/DraftCmdList\|Draft Command List]]</p>
			</li>
			<li>
			Commands are provided as stand-alone packages in a dedicated sub-directory. Each command file contains its own command dictionary, as well as the routines for generating the SVG elements.

			<p>This means that the commands are extremely easy to add, as all that is required is to add a single file to the correct folder. This makes a future automated system for adding new commands very easy to implement, and reduces the possibility that such a system will damage the global file though mistakes made in writing updates.</p>
			</li>
			</ol>

	Here, accessibility is the name of the game, as we want new capabilities to the command line tool to be easy to produce and implement.		Here, accessibility is the name of the game, as we want new capabilities to the command line tool to be easy to produce and implement.
Line 84:		Line 94:
	ink(circle r:50*i)		ink(circle r:50*i)

	and get 5 circles of increasing radius. If Inkscape had a small window for entering scripts like this ~~and~~ loading them, it would save time and make the interface even more useful.		and get 5 circles of increasing radius. If Inkscape had a small window for entering scripts like this, saving them loading them, it would save time and make the interface even more useful. It would allow people with no knowledge of Python (but some programming know-how such as <tt>for</tt>, <tt>if</tt> statements, etc.) to be able to very easily script Inkscape.

			This script window should incorporate the code entered there into a standard "container" script, which would deal with loading of the relevant modules (eg. the one containing the <tt>ink()</tt> command in this case). Thus the user is freed from having to know ''why'' the script works, and only needs to know how to use it.

			==External Links==

			*[http://www.rhino3d.com Rhino3D modeller with command line tool]
			*[http://en.wiki.mcneel.com/default.aspx/McNeel/IntroductionToTheRhinoInterface.html An Introduction to the Rhino Interface]
			*[http://cadsoft.de Eagle CAD System for electrical design. Includes a command line interface]

Inductiveload: /* Extensibility & Scriptability */

2008-10-11T04:07:37Z

Extensibility & Scriptability

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:07, 11 October 2008
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	The command structure should be easily extended to new functions and commands. Perhaps an XML-based list of commands and available parameters can be provided to allow quick integration of new functions, as well as providing brief help if needed.		The command structure should be easily extended to new functions and commands. Perhaps an XML-based list of commands and available parameters can be provided to allow quick integration of new functions, as well as providing brief help if needed.

	~~Here, accessibility~~ is ~~the aim of the game, as we want new capabilities to the command line tool to be easy to produce and implement.~~		*A draft command list is found here: [[SpecCommandLineDrawing/DraftCmdList\|Draft Command List]]

	It should also be very easy to script for this command-line system. While I believe making the command line instuctions a scripting language in itself is ~~unecessary~~, I think it would be good if Inkscape provided a way to either enter a multiline Python script (as Python is already included with Inkscape) or run one from a remote location which was made with another editor, or ideally both.		Here, accessibility is the name of the game, as we want new capabilities to the command line tool to be easy to produce and implement.

			It should also be very easy to script for this command-line system. While I believe making the command line instuctions a scripting language in itself is entirely unnecessary, I think it would be good if Inkscape provided a way to either enter a multiline Python script (as Python is already included with Inkscape) or run one from a remote location which was made with another editor, or ideally both.

	In this way, a user can quickly enter a command like:		In this way, a user can quickly enter a command like:

Inductiveload at 17:04, 9 October 2008

2008-10-09T17:04:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:04, 9 October 2008
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	==Outline==		==Outline==

	At the moment, Inkscape does not allow users to enter commands to Inkscape in a text-based format. This specification proposed to add that functionality, both at the command line and internally, possibly using a command-line box similar to Rhino's. In this way, a user will be able to directly enter precise instruction to Inkscape with minimal effort. For example, a command such as "circle r:50" could be entered and ~~Inkscpae~~ will produce a circle of radius 50px, with all other attributes set to default values. In this way, technical drawing becomes easier, and the interface to Inkscape from external programs is vastly increased.		At the moment, Inkscape does not allow users to enter commands to Inkscape in a text-based format. This specification proposed to add that functionality, both at the command line and internally, possibly using a command-line box similar to Rhino's. In this way, a user will be able to directly enter precise instruction to Inkscape with minimal effort. For example, a command such as "circle r:50" could be entered and Inkscape will produce a circle of radius 50px, with all other attributes set to default values. In this way, technical drawing becomes easier, and the interface to Inkscape from external programs is vastly increased.

	==UI Changes==		==UI Changes==

	The only UI integration this proposal needs is a ~~commnd~~ line text box and an "Enter" button. Rhino has an advanced text entry system, using a long text box under the toolbars. Eagle, a piece of CAD software also has this system.		The only UI integration this proposal needs is a command line text box and an "Enter" button. Rhino has an advanced text entry system, using a long text box under the toolbars. Eagle, a piece of CAD software also has this system.

	In Inkscape, I anticipate this being located under the context toolbar, but above the ruler and drawing area. Ideally, a button would be provided on the main toolbar to allow this command entry box to be toggled on or off to save space for those who don't need this feature.		In Inkscape, I anticipate this being located under the context toolbar, but above the ruler and drawing area. Ideally, a button would be provided on the main toolbar to allow this command entry box to be toggled on or off to save space for those who don't need this feature.
Line 12:		Line 12:

	This proposal would add following functionality:		This proposal would add following functionality:
	*Creation of SVG items in Inkscape using just text input. ~~Defuakt~~ options should be supplied so that properties not important to a user can be ~~lefto ut~~ of the command, but still be taken care of.		*Creation of SVG items in Inkscape using just text input. Default options should be supplied so that properties not important to a user can be left out of the command, but still be taken care of.
	*Manipulation of existing objects (scaling, duplication, deletion, etc)		*Manipulation of existing objects (scaling, duplication, deletion, etc)
	*Allow the request of document information by external applications (eg. request document size or the properties of a given object etc)		*Allow the request of document information by external applications (eg. request document size or the properties of a given object etc)
	*Increasing document manipulation by textual means (page size, exporting etc)		*Increasing document manipulation by textual means (page size, exporting etc)
	*Allow extensions and 3d party applications to have a simple way of editing Inkscape documents. All they would have to do is supply the command string, rather than as they do now, mess around with inkex helper modules, etc.		*Allow extensions and 3D party applications to have a simple way of editing Inkscape documents. All they would have to do is supply the command string, rather than as they do now, mess around with inkex helper modules, etc.

	==Basic Command Structure==		==Basic Command Structure==

	This section is extremely preliminary and is mostly based on a Python ~~mockup~~ rather than practical reasons. Hopefully, at some point a formal grammar will be established.		This section is extremely preliminary and is mostly based on a Python mock-up rather than practical reasons. Hopefully, at some point a formal grammar will be established.

	More than one command can be entered at once. These are separated by a semicolon. The last command should not need a semicolon.		More than one command can be entered at once. These are separated by a semicolon. The last command should not need a semicolon.
Line 46:		Line 46:
	It should also be possible to enter an expression. In this way:		It should also be possible to enter an expression. In this way:
	circle r:25/2		circle r:25/2
	should end up as a circle with a radius of 12.5px. This would ~~dramically~~ reduce the time spend moving data between calculator apps and Inkscape in the case especially of technical drawing.		should end up as a circle with a radius of 12.5px. This would dramatically reduce the time spend moving data between calculator apps and Inkscape in the case especially of technical drawing.

	Different units should be easily used, so that one may easily use Inkscape software for engineering purposes.		Different units should be easily used, so that one may easily use Inkscape software for engineering purposes.
Line 60:		Line 60:
	should fail with the reason that 'er' is not a known command header.		should fail with the reason that 'er' is not a known command header.

	The same goes for incorrect numbers of arguments or ~~subarguments~~, incorrect units (eg one should not be able to specify 'px' for a colour)		The same goes for incorrect numbers of arguments or sub-arguments, incorrect units (eg one should not be able to specify 'px' for a colour)

	==Documentation==		==Documentation==

	The Inkscape command structure should have a detailed and ~~thourough~~ explanation on the Inkscape wiki or elsewhere. Ideally, one should be able to summon the help for a function using a command such as		The Inkscape command structure should have a detailed and thorough explanation on the Inkscape wiki or elsewhere. Ideally, one should be able to summon the help for a function using a command such as

	help:circle		help:circle
Line 70:		Line 70:
	Which will link to the relevant online resource.		Which will link to the relevant online resource.

	==Extensibility==		==Extensibility & Scriptability==

	The command structure should be easily extended to new functions and commands. Perhaps an XML-based list of commands and available parameters can be provided to allow quick integration of new functions, as well as providing brief help if needed.		The command structure should be easily extended to new functions and commands. Perhaps an XML-based list of commands and available parameters can be provided to allow quick integration of new functions, as well as providing brief help if needed.

	Here, ~~accesibility~~ is the aim of the game, as we want new capabilities to the command line tool to be easy to produce and implement.		Here, accessibility is the aim of the game, as we want new capabilities to the command line tool to be easy to produce and implement.

			It should also be very easy to script for this command-line system. While I believe making the command line instuctions a scripting language in itself is unecessary, I think it would be good if Inkscape provided a way to either enter a multiline Python script (as Python is already included with Inkscape) or run one from a remote location which was made with another editor, or ideally both.

			In this way, a user can quickly enter a command like:
			for i in range(5):
			ink(circle r:50*i)

			and get 5 circles of increasing radius. If Inkscape had a small window for entering scripts like this and loading them, it would save time and make the interface even more useful.

Inductiveload at 07:11, 8 October 2008

2008-10-08T07:11:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:11, 8 October 2008
Line 2:		Line 2:

	At the moment, Inkscape does not allow users to enter commands to Inkscape in a text-based format. This specification proposed to add that functionality, both at the command line and internally, possibly using a command-line box similar to Rhino's. In this way, a user will be able to directly enter precise instruction to Inkscape with minimal effort. For example, a command such as "circle r:50" could be entered and Inkscpae will produce a circle of radius 50px, with all other attributes set to default values. In this way, technical drawing becomes easier, and the interface to Inkscape from external programs is vastly increased.		At the moment, Inkscape does not allow users to enter commands to Inkscape in a text-based format. This specification proposed to add that functionality, both at the command line and internally, possibly using a command-line box similar to Rhino's. In this way, a user will be able to directly enter precise instruction to Inkscape with minimal effort. For example, a command such as "circle r:50" could be entered and Inkscpae will produce a circle of radius 50px, with all other attributes set to default values. In this way, technical drawing becomes easier, and the interface to Inkscape from external programs is vastly increased.

			==UI Changes==

			The only UI integration this proposal needs is a commnd line text box and an "Enter" button. Rhino has an advanced text entry system, using a long text box under the toolbars. Eagle, a piece of CAD software also has this system.

			In Inkscape, I anticipate this being located under the context toolbar, but above the ruler and drawing area. Ideally, a button would be provided on the main toolbar to allow this command entry box to be toggled on or off to save space for those who don't need this feature.

			==Functionality Overview==

			This proposal would add following functionality:
			*Creation of SVG items in Inkscape using just text input. Defuakt options should be supplied so that properties not important to a user can be lefto ut of the command, but still be taken care of.
			*Manipulation of existing objects (scaling, duplication, deletion, etc)
			*Allow the request of document information by external applications (eg. request document size or the properties of a given object etc)
			*Increasing document manipulation by textual means (page size, exporting etc)
			*Allow extensions and 3d party applications to have a simple way of editing Inkscape documents. All they would have to do is supply the command string, rather than as they do now, mess around with inkex helper modules, etc.

			==Basic Command Structure==

			This section is extremely preliminary and is mostly based on a Python mockup rather than practical reasons. Hopefully, at some point a formal grammar will be established.

			More than one command can be entered at once. These are separated by a semicolon. The last command should not need a semicolon.

			cmd1; cmd2; cmd3

			Each command is made up of a command header and a zero or more of parameters, separated by spaces:

			cmd 1
			cmd2 param2
			cmd3 param31 param32

			Each parameter is made up of one or more arguments, separated by colons:

			cmd1 p1:arg1
			cmd2 p21:arg211 p22:arg221:arg222

			If an argument represents an item that needs more than one value (such as coordinates), these are separated by commas:

			cmd1 p1:arg11,arg12 p2:arg2

			For example, a circle with a radius of 50px and centre (500,400)px could be entered as:
			circle r:50 c:500,400

			It should also be possible to enter an expression. In this way:
			circle r:25/2
			should end up as a circle with a radius of 12.5px. This would dramically reduce the time spend moving data between calculator apps and Inkscape in the case especially of technical drawing.

			Different units should be easily used, so that one may easily use Inkscape software for engineering purposes.
			circle r:10mm
			should be automatically translated into px and render as a circle 10mm across.

			==Error Handling==

			The parser for these commands should catch errors wherever possible, and be able to give detailed reasons why it failed. This will help third parties develop an understanding of Inkscape's command structure (useful for encourage its use as a technical drawing aid) and allow easy debugging of external code.

			For example the entry (say)
			circle er:45
			should fail with the reason that 'er' is not a known command header.

			The same goes for incorrect numbers of arguments or subarguments, incorrect units (eg one should not be able to specify 'px' for a colour)

			==Documentation==

			The Inkscape command structure should have a detailed and thourough explanation on the Inkscape wiki or elsewhere. Ideally, one should be able to summon the help for a function using a command such as

			help:circle

			Which will link to the relevant online resource.

			==Extensibility==

			The command structure should be easily extended to new functions and commands. Perhaps an XML-based list of commands and available parameters can be provided to allow quick integration of new functions, as well as providing brief help if needed.

			Here, accesibility is the aim of the game, as we want new capabilities to the command line tool to be easy to produce and implement.

Inductiveload: New page: ==Outline== At the moment, Inkscape does not allow users to enter commands to Inkscape in a text-based format. This specification proposed to add that functionality, both at the command l...

2008-10-08T05:52:25Z

New page: ==Outline== At the moment, Inkscape does not allow users to enter commands to Inkscape in a text-based format. This specification proposed to add that functionality, both at the command l...

New page

==Outline==

At the moment, Inkscape does not allow users to enter commands to Inkscape in a text-based format. This specification proposed to add that functionality, both at the command line and internally, possibly using a command-line box similar to Rhino's. In this way, a user will be able to directly enter precise instruction to Inkscape with minimal effort. For example, a command such as "circle r:50" could be entered and Inkscpae will produce a circle of radius 50px, with all other attributes set to default values. In this way, technical drawing becomes easier, and the interface to Inkscape from external programs is vastly increased.