Gef3D: a framework for two-, two-and-a-half-, and three-dimensional graphical editors

ABSTRACT

Three-dimensional software visualization is a commonly used and very helpful approach when two-dimensional representations of complex systems become too cluttered. But 3D visualizers usually are developed separately from existing development tools. Often they do not allow editing of the displayed models which may be desirable in many cases, as for example in model driven development (MDD), in which models are first class artifacts.

With Gef3D we present a 3D framework which is based on the widely used two-dimensional graphical editing framework Eclipse GEF. It enhances this framework, enabling programmers to easily implement 3D editors. Furthermore existing 2D editors can be adapted to be used in 3D multi editors by projecting the 2D content on planes. In this article we explain the architecture and certain design patterns of Gef3D in order to give researchers and developers interested in 3D software visualization an overview of how to use GEF3D and of the features provided by the framework. We show how Gef3D is applied to embed an existing UML class editor into a 3D editor, and present a special use case: the visualization of traces in the area of MDD.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.6 Programming Environments
          Subjects: Graphical environments

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Graphical user interfaces (GUI)

Keywords:
3D visualization, graphical editing