Introduction

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3.0 Creating/Joining Collaborative Sessions

Collaboration Sessions require a HOOPS/Net server to be running and accessible by any clients that want to be involved in a session. The server supports both TCP/IP and HTTP connections. For a TCP/IP connection you provide an IP address and a port number while for a HTTP connection you simplyprovide the URL of the webserver hosting the HOOPS/Net Server.

To allow you to launch your own server, the server executable, hnet_server, resides in the bin directory of your viewer's installation. The server's configuration file, hnet_server.conf, which is also located in the bin directory specifies the server's initial admin and access passwords (both of which are defaulted to a null string) and the port over which the server listens for initial client TCP/IP connections (this has a default value of 11111).

Connecting to the Server

Once the server is running (you do this by running the hnet_server executable) you connect to the server via the Network button in the File pulldown menu of your viewer.

In the Network dialog you provide the address and server port depending upon the connection type. For TCP/IP connection, the address field must of form "foo.com"; or "62.127.1.50" and server port must be a valid socket port number, from 1 -> 65534. For HTTP connection, the address field must be of form http://www.foo.com and the server port must be the fully rooted pathname to the hnet_connect.cgi script. Following are examples.

  • TCP/IP connection to a server running on a local machine
    TCP/IP = 127.0.0.1
    Server port = 11111
  • TCP/IP connection to a remote server
    TCP/IP = hoops3d.com
    Server port = 8080
  • HTTP connection to a remote server
    HTTP = http://www.HNetHost.com
    Server port = /cgi/hnet_connect.cgi
  • HTTP connection to a remote server with proxy-authentication
    HTTP = "http://www.foobar.com proxy://my.proxy.com:1212"
    Server port = /cgi/hnet_connect.cgi
  • Windows Users: If you wish your HTTP connection to use your System's Internet Settings simply prepend the Server string with 'wininet'.
    HTTP = "wininet http://www.foobar.com:80"
    Server port = /cgi/hnet_connect.cgi

Pressing the Connect button should connect you to the server. If there are any currently active sessions these will be listed in the Session dialog. You can create a new session by typing the name of the session in the Session Name text box, entering an optional password for this session in the Session Password box and your name in the Client name text box and then pressing the Create button. If the session is already created, simply enter the session name you wish to join, along with your name and the password for that session and press the Join button. You will then be connected to the active session.

Creating/Joining a session will create a new window which will include a tabbed-dialog bar on the right size. On the 'Peers' tab, you will find controls for sending text Chat messages to other members of the session and a button for requesting or releasing control of the session. If you do not have control of the session, you will only be able to view the activities of the user who is in control and will not be able to drive the session. Chat messages can always be sent by anybody to anybody regardless of who is controlling the session. The controlling user can load HSF files into the scene, create, manipulate and delete geometry as well as annotate and select objects within the scene.

Requesting/Releasing Control

To request control, simply press the Request Control button. The controlling user will be sent a message that control has been requested. Once that control has been released, the user requesting control will then be leading the session.

TSA will host a number of demonstration sessions on our company website to demonstrate the HTTP capabilities of the HOOPS/Net Server. Please connect to www.hoops3d.com for further details.