[help-3dldf] Re: Fwd: MetaPost and guide3

[Laurence Finston]

On Tue, 6 Sep 2005, L. Nobre G. wrote:


> Well now, try this

> $ convert * animation.mng; animate animation.mng

Thanks, I know about animated MNGs and GIFs already.
They're generally too large, even when using the
'-deconstruct' option.  I've posted a couple of animated
GIFs to the Animation Corner website, because it doesn't
accept MNGs, but I can't use them for my work on GNU 3DLDF
because of the patent problem.

I've also tried using JavaScript, which works nicely.  I did
the animated sphere on the 3DLDF "Animation" web page this way.
The disadvantages are that you have to have each image available as
an individual file, and it takes time for all the files to load.
So this method isn't appropriate for long animations, either.

I've found that making MPEGs is the best solution for my purposes.
Disadvantages are the low resolution, the fixed size, and that
they can't be displayed directly by browsers.  I've had a few
problems with the entries in the parameter file.  Some things
haven't worked the way I think they ought to.  However, I haven't
read very far into the documentation of 'ppmtompeg' or the MPEG
format yet, so perhaps this will all become clear in time.
I haven't had time to try to find out how to add a soundtrack, either.

I've written a utility for converting the EPS files generated by
MetaPost to PNM and various other formats.  It was formerly called
'cnepspng', but I've renamed it 'conveps' and added lots of bells of
whistles.  Perhaps you might find it useful.  You can find information
about it on the 3DLDF home page ("Late-Breaking News").

Laurence