GNU 3DLDF --- Request for alpha testers

GNU 3DLDF: Request for alpha testers.


GNU 3DLDF is a package for three-dimensional drawing with MetaPost output.


Since the release of 3DLDF 1.1.5.1 in January 2004 I've been working on
scanning and parsing routines so that the program can be used
interactively. I've been using GNU Bison to implement a Metafont-like
language.


There's still quite a lot to do, but it's now possible to use 3DLDF
interactively to make simple drawings. My current plan is to release the next
stable version once it's possible to access all of 3DLDF's current functionality
interactively. Once I've tied up a few loose ends and added at least some
rudimentary documentation I will start releasing alpha versions.


However, I've now set up a CVS archive on
savannah@gnu.org, where I'm keeping my development sources.
So anyone who'd like to take a look at the current state of 3DLDF and
try it out is welcome to download it from Savannah:


http://savannah.gnu.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs/3dldf/3dldf/Group/


There's still plenty to do, so it would be nice if someone felt inspired to
help.


The parser is new in GNU 3DLDF, so it's not documented at all in the current
_User and Reference Manual_. However, the 3DLDF language should seem familiar
to Metafont and MetaPost users, especially if they know Bison.
In particular, the file `parser.output' generated by Bison contains, among other
things, the grammar in a format similar to the Backus-Naur format used by Knuth
in _The TeXbook_ and _The METAFONTbook_.




I will be putting documentation in the CVS archive as I write it. In
particular, I plan to add an input file with examples of all valid constructions
very soon.


Unfortunately, mailing list creation on Savannah is currently disabled.
However, I will be managing a mailing list "by hand" until such time as
it's enabled again. Anyone who would like to be kept abreast of developments
should send me an email directly and I will subscribe him or her to the list.
Please put "subscribe help-3DLDF" in the subject line.


Thanks.


Laurence Finston
GNU 3DLDF maintainer


Email: lfinsto1@gwdg.de
Website: http://www.gnu.org/software/3dldf

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