What is the iTools Component Framework?

The iTools component framework is a set of object class definitions written in the IDL language. It is designed to facilitate the development of sophisticated visualization tools by providing a set of pre-built components that provide standard features including:

creation of visualization graphics

mouse manipulations of visualization graphics

annotations

management of visualization and application properties

undo/redo capabilities

data import and export

printing

data filtering and manipulation

interface element event handling

In addition, the iTools component framework makes it easy to extend the system with components of your own creation, allowing you to design a tool to manipulate and display your data in any way you choose.

Advantages of Using the Framework

If you are accustomed to creating user interfaces for your IDL applications using IDL widgets, using the iTools component framework will shorten your development time by providing much of the application interface via the standard component building blocks. In many cases, you are freed entirely from the need to create your own interface elements, handle widget events, and manage the display of data. Even when your application calls for additional user interface elements, the framework eliminates the need for you to manually create those elements that your application has in common with the standard iTool interface.

If you are accustomed to using IDL object graphics in your applications, the iTools component framework provides a streamlined way of working with the object graphics hierarchy. Many tasks, such as management of object properties and manipulation of the object model, are handled automatically.