cross-platform installer for 3D Picture Control Software

[Jim K. <jk...@ja...>]

Hello, All

The LabVIEW 3D Picture Control Evaluation Software is a set of tools for
LabVIEW 7.1 or later on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows which uses OpenGL to
allow the modeling and rendering of basic 3D scenes for advanced
visualization.  Originally, NI released this cross-platform software only as
a Microsoft Installer (MSI) file, limiting installation to the Windows
platform.

I have been working with NI to resolve any issues that would prevent the 3D
Picture Control Evaluation Software from being distributed as an OpenG
package.  Originally NI was hesitant, but after we added a license
display/accept dialog user interface (as a PreInstall script VI), NI Legal
has given their blessing for LabVIEW R&D to distribute this NI software
product in an OpenG Package file format, allowing it to be installed on Mac
OS X, Linux, and Windows.

This is an important step for OpenG, because:

* it is a visible example that our tools are needed and useful to National
Instruments
* we have successfully collaborated with National Instruments to provide a
solution to LabVIEW users
* it opens the door for more use of the OpenG Package Installer framework by
NI

In the next few days, you should see picture3d-1.0-2.ogp available on the
"3D Picture Control Evaluation Software" page on the Developer Zone at
NI.com:

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/conceptd.nsf/webmain/9672F024704DE89086256ED10062
0A56?opendocument

I will send out another announcement when this occurs.

Regards,

-Jim