Drawing Tools
This is the point tool. It is the most basic tool in Spheriosity. The point tool is used to plot points on the sphere. Currently points cannot be plotted directly on top of lines, but we hope to implement that feature soon.
This is the midpoint tool. Simply put it will place a midpoint on a line segment. To use the midpoint tool select it and then click on the line you would like to see the midpoint of.
This is the short line tool. This tool will draw the line which represents the shortest distance between two points on the sphere. This tool can be used to draw arbitrary lines even where points have not been plotted already. Simply click two places on the sphere and the line will be drawn.
This is the long line tool. This tool will draw the line which represents the longest distance between two points on the sphere. You can click any arbitrary point on the sphere to draw long lines, or you can use points you have already placed.
This is the great circle tool. The great circle tool is the easiest way to draw a great circle on the sphere. Two points must be chosen you can think of them as a starting point and a direction to draw the circle in.
The line intersection tool will find the intersection of any two lines on the sphere. Simply select the two lines and the line selection tool will plot the the intersection points. It is smart enough to plot more than one point if one exists and it also knows when not to plot points (if you have selected two lines which don't intersect)
The draw circle tool can be used to draw a spherical circle. To use this tool select it and then select two different points. The first point will be the center point and the second point will determine the radius of the circle.
Manipulation Tools
This is the point move tool. It is used to move points around the surface of the sphere. Currently it is the only tool that can be used to move anything (with the exception of the parallel transport tool). You simply select this tool and then click and drag the point you would like moved. Spheriosity will keep anything related to that point updated. In the simple a case if you move one of the end points of a short line the segment will update to the correct size and location. Note that not everything can be moved with this tool. For instance a rotated point may not be moved, because it is defined as being the rotation of another point. Therefore to be allowed to move it would make its definition undefined.
The rotate point tool can be used to rotate one point a fixed angle about a given axis of rotation. When using this tool first select a point to be the axis of rotation. Next select the point you would like to rotate with respect to the first point you selected. Finally you will be presented with a dialog box asking you for an angle to rotate the point by. The angle may be entered in degrees or radians depending on what is selected. After you click ok a new point will appear which is the rotated point.
The parallel transport tool can be used to parallel transport lines around the sphere. In order to use this tool here are the steps you must take. First select a line to transport on. Next select a line to transport. Finally click where we would like the newly transported line to appear and your new line should appear. Now you may click and drag this line anywhere you please. No matter where your cursor ends up Spheriosity will make sure the line is still being parallel transported. As of now you may not parallel transport a parallel transported line, but future versions of the program plan to support this additional functionality.
The remove tool can be used to remove any object from the surface of the sphere. Simply select this tool and then click on what you would like removed. Note: Be careful with your selections if a point or line was a result of an action such as point rotation or parallel transport and you remove one of the lines or points used to create that. Then Spheriosity will remove those 'children' of the line or point removed. Believe it or not this is a feature, because when something becomes undefined in the math world we say it does not exist so Spheriosity enforces these concepts.
The point rename tool allows one to change the current label on a point. Using this tool is as simple as selecting it and then clicking on a point to change its label.
Measuring Tools
This is the angle measure tool. It is used to measure the angle between three points. First select this tool and then click on three points. The angle measure will be output to the information panel.
This tool will measure the shortest distance between two points. To use it select the tool and then select two points to get the distance between
This tool will measure the longest straight distance between two points. To use it select the tool and then select two points to get the distance between
The triangle area measure tool can be used to find the area of a spherical triangle. This tool is used by the selection of three points on the surface of the sphere. After the three points are selected the data will be output to the Information Panel
Viewing Tools
With the zoom button enabled you will be able to change how close or far away you are from the sphere. Zoom works in different ways depending on your operating system. The only exception is if you have a scroll wheel. If you have a scroll wheel simply use that to zoom.
- Windows: Move your mouse up and down while holding ctrl and alt
- Mac: Move your mouse up and down while holding the option key
- Linux: Hold down left and right mouse buttons as you move the mouse up and down
You will need to have the rotate button selected to be able to rotate the sphere. Once the button in selected simply click on the sphere and drag it to where you would like it to go.
By having this button selected you will activate the experimental transparency feature. This feature will allow you to get an idea of what is happening on the other side of the sphere as you play with different aspects of the sphere. The reason it is experimental is that currently it does not look right and we are working on making it look better. We feel, though, that this feature is important enough to have and the sooner the better even if it's not 100% yet