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Collaboration
This tool connects TerraExplorer users on one collaborative
network. Connecting over the internet/intranet, users can chat, annotate
the terrain with text labels and free hand drawing, point using a virtual
cursor, and synchronize their flight. One user serves as the manager of
the session, and the rest connect to him as clients. The collaboration
server can also reside on a TerraGate server for better management and
control, and to solve security problems when accessing end-user computers
behind fire walls.
Collaboration tool:
About the Collaboration Server
The collaboration server is a communication program responsible
for managing collaboration sessions, and delivering all contents, via
TCP/IP networks, to all members. The collaboration server can run on a
local computer of one of the session members, or as part of an existing
TerraGate server. When a collaboration server is activated, using the
Start Local Session request, on a local machine it serves the current
session and after the termination of the session the server shuts down.
When the collaboration server is set up as part of the TerraGate server
it is always up and running and can server several sessions.
Note:
For additional information on setting and controlling a collaboration
service on a TerraGate server see the TerraGate User Manual.
Using the Collaboration Tool
The collaboration tool is divided into three sections.
You can open and close each section by clicking on the header frame.
The Connections section
1.
Select the Connection Type. You can select the following
options:
·
Join Session to join an existing session opened by
another user on its local computer or on a TerraGate server.
·
Local Session to start a communication server on
your local computer, open a session and become the Manager and the Leader
of the session.
·
Create Session on Server to create a new session
on a TerraGate server running the communication service and become the
Manager and the Leader of the session.
Note: The Manager
of the session is the only participant that has permission to give the
leadership of the session to another user. The Leader of the session
is the user that set the location of the camera by navigating freely in
the 3D world and all other users can attach to his point of view.
2.
Set
the Server Host Name parameter, which is the IP address of the
communication server. If you try to join an existing session you should
type the name or address of the Manager’s local computer or the TerraGate
server. If you try to create a new session on a TerraGate server should
type the name or address of the server.
3.
Set
the session name parameter. If you create a new session on a TerraGate
server you must type a unique session name. If you create a local session
the session name is been used as an additional protection from unwanted
guests. If you join an existing session you must type the session name
that was given by the manager.
4.
Set
the User Name parameter. Each member of the session must have a
unique user name. The user name is shown in the Participants list and
will be attached to the chat messages.
5.
Click
on the Start Session button to create the session or Connect
to join an existing session.
6.
To
close a session created by you click on the Stop Session button.
To disconnect from a session you’ve join click on the Disconnect
button.
The Session section
1.
If you started a local or a server session you can set the
On user connection parameter with the following parameters:
·
Select Don’t Send Fly to determine that when other
users join the session they don’t receive any Fly project and that they
have to open a valid project manually before joining the collaboration
session.
·
Select Send Fly Link to determine that the current
Fly project name is sent to other participants when they join the session
and their local TerraExplorer opens this project before connecting to
the session.
·
Select Send Fly File to send the Fly project to every
participant who joins the session. The collaboration server sends the
content of the Fly project, but not the additional resources.
Note:
Use Send Fly Link option only when the Fly project and all additional
resources in the Fly project (e.g. MPT database, 3D models or icons) resides
on a local or remote network storage that is shared and accessible to
all participants in the session. It is recommended to use this option
when you use an Internet kit created be the “Create Basic Kit” option.
Use Send Fly File only when the MPT database is on a TerraGate
server or on a shared storage and there are no additional resources or
all resources resides on a shared storage.
2.
The
Participants list displays all connected users to the session.
If you are the Manager of the session you can select another participant
to set him as the leader of the session. In this case all participants
follow the new leader.
3.
If
you started a local or a server session you can invite other users to
the session by Email. Type the Email addresses of multiple recipients
separated by commas in the Enter Email(s) input field and click
Invite. Your default mail client opens with a new Email message.
Follow the instructions in the message body and send the mail. Recipients
of the message can connect to the session by simply opening the mail attachment.
The Tools Section
1.
If you created a local or a Server session, select the Broadcast
my location check box to send your camera position to all other participants
in the session. If you joined a session, select the Follow the Leader
check to attach your 3D view (camera) to the session’s leader view. Clear
this option to navigate freely on the terrain, and select it again to
be re-attached to the session view.
2.
Type text in the Chat Message input field and click
the Send button to send this chat message to all other participants
in the session. The text appears in the message box preceded by the name
and IP address of the sender.
3.
Type a text string in the Text Label input field, set
the color of the text, click on the Add Label button and left click
on the terrain to add the text label on the terrain. The label appear,
in the same location, in the 3D view of all other participants of the
session.
4.
You can draw free styled lines on the terrain that appears
on the 3D view of the other participants by following these steps:
·
Set the Height Style parameter. While drawing a line
the style is always Relative To Terrain. The line adopts the selected
height style only after the left mouse button is released.
·
Set the Altitude parameter. This parameter determines
the altitude of the line above the terrain while drawing the line, and
for Relative To Terrain and Relative To Pivot, also after
finishing the drawing.
·
Select the Line Color parameter from the palette.
·
Click on the Draw button.
·
Click and hold the left mouse button on the terrain
to draw a line. Release left button and click again in a new location
to draw a new line.
·
To finish operation Right click on the terrain or select
Finish button.
5.
You can use a virtual cursor to point to/highlight an area
on the 3D window. The cursor, available in different styles, appears in
the 3D window of all the participants in the session. To use the virtual
cursor follow these steps:
·
Set the Cursor Style parameter. The available styles
are 2D Arrow, 3D Arrow, and Circles.
·
Set the Size parameter. This parameter determines
the size of the cursor. The size of the cursor is calculated for each
participant based on this parameter and their altitude.
·
Select the Cursor Color parameter from the palette.
·
Click on the Activate Cursor button.
·
Click and hold the left mouse button on the terrain
to turn on the virtual cursor. Release left button and click again in
a new location to show the cursor in a different location.
·
To finish operation Right click on the terrain or select
Finish button.
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