Re: [clutter] 2.5D?

Hi;

On Wed, 2007-11-14 at 12:55 +0100, Murray Cumming wrote:
> Clutter is a 2.5D canvas, right? I mean, it can contain 2D objects that
> can have some extruded depth, and which can move in 3D space. But it
> can't have, for instance, a pyramid object?

Yes and no. Everything is in 3D space but the API is heavily slanted
towards more 2D usage (kind of 2D with 3D effects). Actors are
essentially 2D quads but positionable / rotate-able in 3D space.

You could however make an actor that was a pyramid (by dropping into raw
GL). It would however be a bit cludgy with current API in wider scope
(but potentially could be extended if the need is there).

>
> Maybe I'm even wrong about the extruded depth. Does
> clutter_actor_set_depth() set the z position of the object or the z
> dimension of the object?

Z position. Maybe we should rename this and actually make depth a kind
of volume like prop (or drop it). Would that seem more logical ? I've
been a bit concerned about doing this in the past as having a set_z
could kind of make people think Clutter really is a general 3D engine
kind of thing.

>
> Is this a limitation of OpenGL ES, or just a design decision for
> Clutter?
>

Design decision. If you start really heavily supporting 3D its really
difficult to keep things simple as well as Im not heavily convinced that
full full 3D really buys you much UI wise beyond crazed 1980's
neuromancer style things

Hope that helps in explaining things;

  == Matthew

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