This directory contains source code which accompanies a series of papers on SGI's Xserver. The papers exist as PostScript files in toolbox/documents/X.
This directory contains the following:
README ascii version of this html file.
Makefile A Makefile to compile the supplied demonstation code.
3color.ps A Three Color Cursor for X describes how, with SGI hdw
3color.ps.Z supporting three color cursors, one can generate such
cursors using X. An explication of how to implement the
previously undocumented XSGIMiscSetThirdCursorColor
routine, which allows the third color of an X cursor to
be specified via the use of SGI's proprietary
SGI-SUNDRY-NONSTANDARD extension. This interface is the
same mechanism used by the IRIS GL's internal cursor
management routines to implement three color cursors in
the GL. OpenGL developers are already aware that X is
how non-3D rendering tasks are performed. This means
OpenGL developers should anticipate using X the generate
three color cursors. This mechanism is not part of the
X standard and is only supported on Silicon Graphics X
servers. But it is easy to query if a given X server
supports it or not so programs can be written to use
three color cursors if available. And if not, programs
can fall back to use two color cursors for less capable
X servers.
tulip.c Sample code for using three-color cursor program which
turns the root window cursor into a tulip. To return to
the default root cursor after running tulip, do:
/usr/bin/X11/xsetroot -cursor_name X_cursor -fg red -bg white
(the above is included in .stop3colortulip)
Also, if you run a program like twilight, bgpaste or that
fish background program that tries to totally cover up the
root window, you won't ever see the tulip cursor.
imp_layers.ps A Fully Functional Implementation of Layered Windows
imp_layers.ps.Z explains the semantic basis for SGI's current X server
support for layered windows. This paper was presented at
the 7th Annual X Technical Conference in Boston, Mass.
ABSTRACT: Incorporating layered windows into the X
server is a non trivial task, which has been attempted
repeatedly in the past, with varying lack of success.
We present our criteria for the proper behavior of
layered widnows. We show that the assumptions built
into the DIX windowing code prevent the proper
implementation of layered windows, proving that the
current windowing code is inherently device-dependent.
We propose a restructuring of the sample server,
moving much of the windowing code to DDX. We show how
the sample windowing model can be extended to clip
layered windows, and what changes are required to other
parts of the server which depend in part on knowledge
of the current window tree.
prog_layers.ps Programming X Overlay Windows explains how to use SGI's
prog_layers.ps.Z SERVER_OVERLAY_VISUALS convention to portably create X
windows in the overlay planes.
ABSTRACT: Overlay planes provide an alternate set of
frame buffer bitplanes which can be preferentially
displayed instead of the normal set of bitplanes.
Overlay planes have been common in high-end graphics
systems for some time. Recently, work has been done
by Silicon Graphics to integrate overlay plane support
into the X Window System. A standard convention
proposed and implemented by Silicon Graphics allows X
client writers to create windows in the overlay planes.
This article describes how to write programs to utilize
overlay planes.
XLayerUtil.c Sample code for routines to portably query overlay
visuals described in the prog_layers.ps article.
XLayerUtil.h Acommpanying header file.
layerdemo.c Sample code demonstrating how to use pure-X overlay
windows to achieve transparency effects.
xlayerinfo.c Sample code for a program to list a server's visuals
including visual layering information.
xsgi.ps Going Beyond the MIT Sample Server: The Silicon Graphics
xsgi.ps.Z X11 Server explains the enhanced capabilities of SGI's X
server.
ABSTRACT: The MIT X11 Sample Server is the starting
point for nearly all X11 server implementations. Most
server vendors add value beyond the sample server.
Silicon Graphics has done extensive work to enhance the
performance and functionality of its X server
implementation. The server supports X across Silicon
Graphics' entire line of high-performance graphics
hardware. This article describes six important areas
of enhancement made to the Silicon Graphics server:
integration with the IRIS GL graphics library, a high
performance input subsystem, the non-frame buffer
porting layer, support for specific hardware features,
the dynamic linking of hardware support, and the
Display PostScript extension.
crosshair.c Sample code for turning the root window's cursor into
a crosshair cursor. To return to default root cursor, run
/usr/bin/X11/xsetroot -cursor_name X_cursor -fg red -bg white
(the above is included in .stopcrosshair)
Also, if you run a program like twilight, bgpaste or that
fish background program that tries to totally cover up the
root window, you won't get the crosshair.
OR, ...