[MUD-Dev] The MLI Project

[coder at ibm.net]

On 30/01/98 at 09:17 AM, Vadim Tkachenko <vadimt at 4cs.com> said:

>About the graphical interface concept:

>http://www.parc.xerox.com/istl/projects/MagicLenses/default.html

>As always, just a flamebite - what do you think about it?

It demonstrates the root of an idea I've long thought fascinating for a
graphical MUD:  

  1) implement depth of field ala photography.

  2) implement fuzzy peripheral vision as a performance optimisation and
"reality" tweak".

#2 is the simplest to implement (sorta) -- everything away from the center
of the screen (and thus the center of attention) becomes increasingly
fuzzy (LOD, polygon count, etc).  

#1 could be an interface nightmare, especially in the control of focus
depth.  look at something near by (click or command) and everything else
becomes a blur, look at something very distant, and everything close
becomes a blur.  Do default focus on infinity, and most everything is
slightly blurred.

--
J C Lawrence                               Internet: claw at null.net
----------(*)                              Internet: coder at ibm.net
...Honourary Member of Clan McFud -- Teamer's Avenging Monolith...