FSVIEW3D has two major view elements: the model view showing the file system and a console to allow the user to enter in commands.
1. Model View
The Model View shows a 3D representation of the file system. In the model view directories are represented as gray cylinders and files are represented as colored cubes. Spokes connecting directory objects and file objects together showing the relationship between the objects. Objects have their name placed over them. This view also shows the frame rate.
1.1 File Object Colors
The coloring of file objects indicates the kind of user-level access the user has to objects. Red is used for the read access, green for the write access, and blue for the execute access. Colors are combined to indicate the availability of multiple access types.
When the mouse cursor is hovering over an object the pathname to the object is displayed at the bottom of the model view.
The frame-rate is displayed at the upper left corner of the model view. Low frame rates may occur when large numbers of objects are visible. Reducing the number of visible objects may increase the frame-rate and overall program responsiveness.
2. The Console
The console feature allows the user to enter in keyboard commands to control the application. The console has two modes of operation: a command mode and a navi (navigation) mode. In both modes of operation a command line prompt is provided.
2. 1 Command Mode
The prompt is the pathname (pathname may be truncated) followed by “>”. The user can switch from navi mode to command mode by pressing the escape key. When in command mode a single click on an object can be used to supply a parameter to a command.
2.1.1 Commands
“cd” - changes the working directory to the specified directory. Using the command without an argument will change the working directory to the user’s home directory.
Usage: cd [directory name]
“cwd” - displays the current working directory.
Usage: cwd
“exit” - exits the application
Usage: exit
“help” - displays help information, listing a quick reference of the available commands.
Usage: help
“ls” - lists the files in the working directory if no argument is supplied, otherwise lists the contents of the specified directory.
Usage: ls [file/directory]
“navi” - enters the application into navigation mode. See Navi Commands.
Usage: navi
2.2 Navi Mode
In this mode the user can use the keyboard to navigation through the file system model presented in the model view. In this view the command prompt is “navi>”.
2.2.1 Navi Mode Commands
“a” - moves the view upwards
“z” - moves the view downwards
“d” - moves the view backwards
“e” - moves the view forwards
“s” - moves the view to the left
“f” - moves the view to the right
“i” - tilts the view up
“j” - turns the view to the left
“k” - tilts the view down
“l” - turns the view to the left
“,” - rolls the view counter-clockwise
“.” - rolls the view clockwise
“?” - help. Prints information about navi commands.
ESC key - exits navi mode entering command mode.
2.2.2 Mouse Commands
When shift-clicking a directory one of two actions may occur depending upon the state of the directory
1) if the directory is collapsed it will be expanded showing its contents.
2) if the directory is expanded it will be collapsed concealing its contents.
Double=clicking on a directory will cause one of two actions to occur depending on the state of the directory
1) If the directory is closed it will be opened expanding the directory to reveal its contents.
2) If the directory is opened/expanded it will be closed concealing its contents and returning it to its parent directory.
Double-clicking on a file will cause the file to be executed. For example double-clicking on a text file will cause the text file to be opened in a text editor, or double-clicking on an executable will run the executable.
Gray - no access
Red - read access
Green - write access
Yellow - read & write access
Blue - execute access
Magenta - read & execute access
Cyan - write & execute access
White - all access