This book describes how to integrate your application into the Indigo Magic Desktop environment. It assumes that your application already runs on Silicon Graphics workstations. This is strictly a how-to guide—refer to the Indigo Magic User Interface Guidelines for style guidelines.
This introduction contains these sections:
“About the Indigo Magic Desktop Environment” provides a brief overview of the Indigo Magic Desktop and explains why it's important to integrate your application into the Desktop environment.
“Integrating an Application” offers a brief, general list of the basic steps for integration.
The Indigo Magic Desktop environment provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to the IRIX filesystem and operating system. This interface allows users to interact with the workstation using a point-and-click interface, based on icons and windows. The Desktop provides tools and services for the users' convenience, many of which are accessible directly from the Desktop's toolchests.
Integrating your application into the Desktop environment is an important step in creating your product. Since users are already familiar with the Desktop, they have certain expectations about how applications should look and behave in the Desktop environment. By integrating your application into the Desktop, you insure that these expectations are met—thus helping your users get the most out of your application.
Figure i shows an example of the Indigo Magic Desktop. Take note of several tools that are running:
The Desks Overview window. With the Desks Overview window, users can switch from one “desk,” or group of applications, to another. When your application appears in a desk other than the one currently in use, it's in a state similar to the minimized state. You need to be careful about what processes your application runs while in a minimized state.
The Window Settings window. From the Window Settings window, users can change aspects of window and session management. You need to set up your application so that it works as users expect when they change these settings.
The Desktop Settings window. From this window, users can resize Desktop icons and select a default text editor. You need to design your icons so that they look reasonable in the maximum and minimum sizes, and set up your application to use the user's default editor where appropriate.
The Icon Catalog. Users can access icons from the different pages in the Icon Catalog. The standard pages are: Applications, Demos, Desktop Tools, and Media Tools. Since the Icon Catalog is one of the first places users look when they need to find an application, you should add your products icons to this catalog.
These are just a few examples of the kinds of things you'll need to consider to integrate your application into the Desktop Environment. This book provides complete and detailed instructions for integration, while the Indigo Magic User Interface Guidelines gives you style guidelines. For the best results, use both books together.
This section lists the basic steps for integrating an existing application into the Indigo Magic Desktop environment. The steps are listed in a very general way, to give you a brief overview of the process.
If you're writing a new application, here are a few tips:
If possible, use IRIS ViewKit™. Refer to the IRIS ViewKit Programmer's Guide for instructions.
Note: IRIS ViewKit isn't part of the IRIS Developer's Option, it is bundled with the C++ Development Option. In the United States and Canada, call SGI Direct at 800-800-SGI1 (7441) for more information about how to order the C++ Development Option; outside the United States and Canada, please contact your local sales office or distributor. Don't use IRIS GL™. Use OpenGL™ or Open Inventor™ instead.
Note: Open Inventor isn't part of the IRIS Developer's Option, it is a separate option. In the United States and Canada, call SGI Direct at 800–800-SGI1 (7441) for more information about how to order the Open Inventor Option; outside the United States and Canada, please contact your local sales office or distributor.
To integrate your application into the Indigo Magic Desktop, follow these steps:
If your application uses IRIS GL, port to OpenGL if possible. If it's impractical for you to port to OpenGL at this time, at least switch to mixed-model IRIS GL programming, if you haven't already done so. (Mixed-model programs use Xt for event and window management).
For information on porting from IRIS GL to OpenGL and for switching your program to mixed-model, refer to the OpenGL Porting Guide. This manual is included online in the IRIS Developer's Option (IDO). View it using the IRIS InSight Viewer.
Set up your application to comply with the Indigo Magic look and feel:
use the Enhanced IRIS IM™ look
use Schemes
use the new and enhanced IRIS IM widgets where appropriate
set up your application for correct window, session, and desks management
customize the minimize window image for your application (optional)
use the extensions provided in the Selection Library and the File Alteration Monitor (optional)
These topics, as well as information on fonts, are covered in Part 1 of this manual.
Create Desktop icons for your application and add them to the Icon Catalog. You'll need an icon for the application itself as well as icons for any unusual data formats. See Part 2 of this manual for instructions.
Use swpkg to package your application so that your users can install it easily. See the Software Packager User's Guide for information for instructions on using swpkg.