4dvw Files

4DV  V20091228 is a crude 4+ dimensional viewer by   Jason Bell

This program is a very basic simulator with an eclectic feature set. It simulates the 3 space dimensions and time and gravity and mass.

A simple fixed length record text file stores a list of each point, including an initial position, initial velocity, mass, radius, and color. (see XYZ.DEF for details on file format). Points may be independant, part of a line, or part of a polygon.

A couple of star charts I found are listed as STARS.LIS and STARS.33K.  They are each in unique formats from whoever I got them from, but I have added a routine to read each.  To see them from "Earth" make sure to type {0} to reset the view position to (0,0,0). Then click on FILE then STARS.LIS or STARS.33K.

You need the following files in the same directory:
4dvw.exe  - Program
4dv.SAV   - Initial conditions file
stars.lis - Optional Milky way file {full 3d from paralax data} 
stars.33k - Extended Milky way file {only good viewing from "earth" press 0} 
xyz.lis   - Default file used on startup


Some known quirks:
*The simulation accuracy is based on the speed of your CPU and the "time speed" {T+}{T-}
*At very close positons to polygons that have endpoints behind you, strange things happen.
*Shading sequence is done by drawing in order of distance, nearest last. Sometimes causes oddities on lines and polygons.
*Viewing system is derived from the RightAscension/Declination, so Up/Down arrow stop at +/-90 degrees.
*Was originally written for DOS, so inherited lots of routines and controls that may or may not work.
*Because of rounding error, {T}{R} which reverses time, does not always go backwards to the exact same points.



A slew of keystroke commands allows some control of the simulation. See help in program.
For example:
  the key strokes {T} then {F} will start the time dimension of the simulation
  {left arrow}{right arrow}{up arrow}{down arrow} will change your view angle
  {space}{backspace} will move forward and backward. Type {M} to set the motion increment
  try holding the mouse buttons down and move the mouse...

 The following keys have functions:
  ><	increases/decreases the angle of view
  +-	increases/decreases zoom
  .,	increases/decreases contrast
  XYZ	lets the user set an X,Y, or Z view point
  SPACE/BK SPACE	moves forward/backward 1 motion increment
  M	sets motion increment
  R,L ARROW	rotates right (+/- Z axis)
  U,D ARROW	rotates up (+/- secondary Y axis)
  CTRL R,L ARROW	rotates right (+/- final X axis)
  0	to return to the origin
  C	to toggle the cross hairs 
  DP,DL,DCx,DCCx	to draw polygon,line,switch cursor,switch cursor color x
  TT,T+,T-,TF	to change time flow T=reverse,+-speed,freeze
  ALT-XYZ	to increase cursor XYZ
  CTRL-XYZ	to decrease cursor XYZ
  ALT/CTRL-B	to increase/decrease brightness
  ALT-S	toggle DrawByRadius (save time)
  ALT-T	toggle trail mode
  A	attach Vxyz to object
  ENTER,END,Q,ALT-Q,CTRL-Q	to end the simulation


  MOUSE Buttons
   L  Up-Down	Move Incrementally In-Out
   L  Left-Right	Move Incrementally Left-Right
   R  Up-Down	Move Incrementally Up-Down
   R  Left Right	Move Incrementally Left-Right
   Both  Up-Down	View Angle Up-Down
   Both  Left-Right	View Angle Left-Right
  File 4DV.SAV contains some initial/default parameters.
  File XYZ.DEF describes input file format for XYZ mode


Developing this has been a fun hobby over the years.  Hope you can find some use for it.  If you add something cool please send me a copy, or if you want some info, please feel free to email me  at  bellinbox  @  bellsouth.net