36 Chapter 2: iTool System Architecture
iTool Object Hierarchy iTool Developer’s Guide
DATA SPACE
A data space is an iTool component that manages the data range, transformation
matrix, and other data-centric properties of visualizations in a visualization layer.
Each data space contains one or more visualizations. For example, the relative
identifier of the second data space in the visualization layer in the first view in
window container is:
WINDOW/VIEW_1/VISUALIZATION LAYER/DATA SPACE_1
Note
Data space numbering is zero-based — that is, the first data space created is number
zero. The object identifier for the first data space, however, does not include the
number. Identifiers for additional data spaces do include the number.
A visualization is a group of component objects that are displayed to the iTool user in
the main iTool window. Examples of visualizations are plots, surfaces, contours, etc.
For example, the relative identifier of the first plot visualization in the first data space
in the visualization layer in the first view in window container is:
WINDOW/VIEW_1/VISUALIZATION LAYER/DATA SPACE/PLOT
Note
Visualization numbering is zero-based — that is, the first visualization of a specific
type created within a data space is number zero. The object identifier for the first
visualization, however, does not include the number. Identifiers for additional
visualizations of the same type within the same data space do include the number.
Visualizations may be containers themselves, containing other visualizations. The
Axis visualization is an example; it contains all of the individual axes inserted into a
given data space.
ANNOTATION LAYER
An annotation layer is an iTool component that contains annotations. Each
visualization layer contains zero or more annotations. For example, the relative
identifier of the annotation layer in the first view in window container is:
WINDOW/VIEW_1/ANNOTATION LAYER
An annotation is a graphical component that can be added to the main iTool window
by the iTool user in an interactive operation. Examples of annotations are text, lines,
polygons, etc. For example, the relative identifier of the first text annotation in the
first annotation layer in the first view in window container is:
WINDOW/VIEW_1/ANNOTATION LAYER/TEXT
