DATHeader 3.0.9.1

[Michael Heidemann]

I just release version 3.0.9.1 of DATHeader.
This is only a bugfix version that should have been uploaded much, much earlier.

Please leave all comments for this version as response to this topic.

Have fun.
Download from DATHeader Webside
cu
mikeheide

[Steffen]

On initial start, the application shows an error:

"Error in modXML.ini.XMLRead
The path is not of a legal form."

with just an OK button.
Maybe, the tool tried to read an XML file of a previous version.
I think it should succeed in that, not fail, hoping that these XML files carry
a version number inside, so newer software gets able to read old ones.

After clicking OK, the "Preferences" dialog shows up unasked.
Funny: it shows a "License Type" dropdown box with 0 entries.
I anyway entered some preferences and then clicked "Save".
Another error shows up:
"Error in procedure cmdSave_Click of Formular frmOption
The process cannot access the file
C:\Users\xxx\Documents\datheaderini.xml
because it is being used by another process"

However, there's no other DATHeader instance running, just this one.

Each time I click "Save", this happens.
So my only resort to close this dialog is clicking "Cancel", but then DATHeader crashes:

Code:

Description:
  Stopped working

Problem signature:
  Problem Event Name:   CLR20r3
  Problem Signature 01: datheader.exe
  Problem Signature 02: 3.0.9.1
  Problem Signature 03: 4fae0dc0
  Problem Signature 04: mscorlib
  Problem Signature 05: 2.0.0.0
  Problem Signature 06: 4ef6c7cc
  Problem Signature 07: 3452
  Problem Signature 08: 21c
  Problem Signature 09: System.IO.IOException
  OS Version:  6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
  Locale ID:   1031

[Steffen]

After this, DATHeader has created a datheaderini.xml file in my Windows User "My Documents" folder,
with all-empty settings.
This way, also my old DATHeader version (3.0.5) now no longer has valid settings :-(
I have now manually deleted that file.
This does not help:
Running DATHeader 3.0.5, my old version, shows error:
"Error in InitTranslationsObject reference not set to an instance of an object.".
However, after that, the main application window comes up and lets me re-enter my preferences.
DATHeader 3.0.9.1 still shows the behaviour described in my previous post.

[Steffen]

I also do not understand why DATHeader brings its own copy of LDconfig.ldr.
It IMHO should use the one from the LDRAW root folder.
I don't want multiple copies of that file...

[Daniel Goerner]

Why? One's bad enough? ;-)

[Michael Heidemann]

Sorry for answering so late.

Information about your system would be great next time.

After checking the code, I assume that you had a datheaderini.xml in the same folder than DATHeader. I discovered a bug if this is present. I'll send the changed version by PM to you.
I tried here to get the same error, but without success. All is working fine here.

All new versions of DATHeader can read "old" datheaderini.xml and do update them for the new version (no version check for the xml file). I doubt that old versions can work with that changed version then (never tested).

[Michael Heidemann]

Regarding the double LDConfig, please think about that many people that tweak that file for their personal benefit. DATHeader can not work with such customized files and needs its own version, that can be updated by Menucommand to download the latest version of LDConfig from official place.

[Philippe Hurbain]

I wondered too, but you have a very good point!

[Michael Heidemann]

Now that the spec is online I like to tell you that a basic check for !TEXTMAP section is already build into DATHeader

If it does not work like you suggest, please let me know.

[Philippe Hurbain]

...and the link: http://mikeheide2.kilu.de/index.php?page=datheader

[Michael Heidemann]

I thought that this is not necessary as this function is already build in for over a year, so nobody needs to download now if he already has the current version.

[Michael Heidemann]

I just had the idea of having the possibility in DATHeader to run the output (on save) through Rectifier as this functionality is still not build in.

I would have to add the following in the option dialog:
checkbox named: use Rectifier on save
textbox named: path to Rectifier.
So far I think no other options are needed.

What do other think about this idea?

[Philippe Hurbain]

Good idea, 5 minutes ago I pestered because I forgot to run rectifier before Datheader This would also accelerate significantly Datheader on big triangle meshes as triangle to quad conversion can be performed by rectifier instead of Datheader.
One thing to maybe add in prefs would be equivalent to -a option, that prevents rectifier to create rect primitives when there is an adjacent condline. Default option should be -a active since this is the most conservative option (if you choose not to add another option for the sake of simplicity, then always activate -a).

[Michael Heidemann]

Thank you very much for your quick reply.

I asked for:
DATHeader -> Rectifier -> finished

You suggested now:
Rectifier -> DATHeader -> finished

I am right?

[Philippe Hurbain]

Actually the order matters little. What I meant is to remove from Datheader the slow triangle to quad conversion, as this operation is performed by Rectifier.

[Michael Heidemann]

I have at present problems to run Rectifier here (maybe wrong installed or whatelse).
So please can you just run the attached file through Rectifier and upload the result?

[Philippe Hurbain]

Seems to work perfectly, here attached the result.

Otherwise - after more thoughts - it would be slightly better to run rectifier after datheader: Datheader may split warped quads into triangle, rectifier may be able to pair these triangles with other neighbours.

[Michael Heidemann]

Yes, the output from Rectifier is perfect

I remembered about a tool from you that left much empty space for not more needed lines. That was the intend of my question.

You are also right that DATHeader could be useful for to split warped quads before, but I do not think that those triangles will ever be planar enough that they are combined with other triangles.

One last question:
Should DATHeader ask for doing that optimisation or only run if all is set in the Options dialog?

I would prefer an extra decision should be done by the user!

[Philippe Hurbain]

I remembered about a tool from you that left much empty space for not more needed lines. That was the intend of my question.

AFAIK Rectifier is "clean" for that.

You are also right that DATHeader could be useful for to split warped quads before, but I do not think that those triangles will ever be planar enough that they are combined with other triangles.

Chances are low indeed, but not null...

One last question:
Should DATHeader ask for doing that optimisation or only run if all is set in the Options dialog?
I would prefer an extra decision should be done by the user!

I think a check box in Options dialog to disable optimisation is enough. A good thing of Datheader is that it can create automatic backup!

[Michael Heidemann]

Code:

A good thing of Datheader is that it can create automatic backup!

That is hopefully not the only benefit

I just saw, that it is now more than a year after the last release.
As I do not get any feedback over the last month, I would very much like to know:
Are there also other people (except from Philo and me) that use DATHeader ?

I would very much appreciate if all user of DATHeader would just leave a short note here for motivation

[Willy Tschager]

Hand up.

w.

[Philippe Hurbain]

Code:

A good thing of Datheader is that it can create automatic backup!

That is hopefully not the only benefit

Oh no !!! I meant that the automatic backup could recover from possible agressive optimisation.

I would very much appreciate if all user of DATHeader would just leave a short note here for motivation

For an absent minded guy like me, Datheader is God sent
- Sorry for your modesty, Mike

[Tim Gould]

I think it is crazy not to use Datheader. So hand up here too.

[Rolf Osterthun]

Hey Michael,

Almost every part that I've drawn, has been touched by your tool. And I plan to continue using it in the future! Great program!

Thanks Rolf

[Magnus Forsberg]

Hand up here too.
It's the best way to check your file before an upload.

[Max Martin Richter]

I have to raise my hand too. Nearly every part, which is longer than 10 lines of code runs through DATHeader, when I check parts.

[Steffen]

I also use it

[Michael Heidemann]

Thanks to all guys that rises the hands here.

So let's go and improve DATHeader for better experience