Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!sgiblab!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!megowan
From: megowan@netcom.com (Andrew Megowan)
Subject: Help needed finding coordinates
Message-ID: <megowanCq2Dpt.J9C@netcom.com>
Summary:  Frustrated Programmer seeks fun-loving alogrithm
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
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Date: Thu, 19 May 1994 19:20:17 GMT
Lines: 23

Help.

I've been struggling with some programming algorithms to spit out 3D
coordinates and/or position/orientation data on components of various
mechanical contraptions.  I'm writing a custom application for a 
company that needs software to provide realtime 3d simulations of their
control systems i.e. you punch in the information on the geometry of the
flight simulator base, robotic figure, moving chair, etc, and the computer
determines the orientation of every single component when the actuators
are at particular lengths.

My boss can't find any algorithms, the math newsgroups met my request with
stony silence, and the people in the rendering and animation newsgroups
pointed me at books that didn't have what I needed.  I contacted the authors
and one pointed me to this newsgroup.

Please help.

Where can I learn the mathematics I need?  Should I post a sample problem?
Any assistance would be appreciated.

Andy Megowan
megowan@netcom.com
