AptPlot - Frequently Asked Questions

• Installation
• What is a JRE?
• What version of Java do I need?
• What Platforms are supported?
• General
• Which Grace features are not currently supported?
• What additional capabilites have been added?

1. What is a JRE?

A JRE is a Java Runtime Environment. It is the software required to run programs written in the Java language. A JRE must be installed before any Java applications will function. (Also referred to as a JVM or Java Virtual Machine).

2. What version of Java do I need?

SUN Java Standard Edition (SE) Version 5.0 (aka Java 1.5) was used for development and testing. Although Java SE Version 6.0 should work, this version has not been thoughly tested. Only the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is needed to run the software. The Java SE Development Kit (JDK) is only needed if you want to compile the application. The Java SE Development Kit (JDK) includes the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and command-line development tools that are useful for developing applets and applications.

3. What Platforms are supported?

Any platform that supports a Version 5.0 or newer JRE should run the application.

4. Which Grace features are not currently supported by AptPlot?

The key features that are not currently supported include:

• Hotlinks & Named Pipes.
  Although AptPlot will process standard input and output pipes, there is no equivalent to named pipes in Java.


• The Framemaker MIF format.
  AptPlot utilizes the Apache Batik and Freehep packages to render vector and raster graphics. Currently, the MIF handler is in the sandbox and not yet functional in FOP Trunk. Please refer to the Apache FOP website for further information.


• Dynamic Modules.
  This functionality will be supported though the AptPlot Plug-in Interface.


• The crosshair cursor mode.
  This feature will be supported in a future release.


• Custom Fonts
  AptPlot currently supports the the 14 base fonts available in Grace for backward compatibility. There are plans to replace the font handling with unicode.


5. What additional capabilites have been added?

The following features were added to AptPlot:

• Advanced Equation Interpreter.
  The secondary equation interpreter from AcGrace has been incorpoated into AptPlot. This equation interpreter supports vector and scalor operations with automatic interpolation on the independent variable.


• The Windows Enhanced Metafile and TIFF output formats.
  These two additional formats are supported through the Apache Batik and Freehep packages.


• The Windows Enhanced Metafile format.
  AptPlot utilizes the Apache Batik and Apache FOP packages to render vector and raster graphics. Currently, the MIF handler is in the sandbox and not yet functional in FOP Trunk. Please refer to the Apache FOP website for further infomation.


• Plug-in Interface.
  A plug-in interface has been developed to allow the code to be extended in any number of ways. The NRC Analysis code support has been implemented as a plug-in.