[X3D-Public] Vendor agnostic/neutral icon(s)?

[Joe D Williams]

This is very old topic that someday will be sorted out, but when you 
install, the best practice I have seen asks the user for permission to 
change default opener for each one of the "standard" X3D file 
extensions, if the extension was previously claimed. If not, put your 
icon on it and be sure it gets on the 'open with' list. I don't think 
imposing some 'neutral' icon would help - better to ask specific 
permission if file extension has already been claimed. It helps the 
user to know which applilcaion will open the type. I if you install 
and handle the file, and it is not already claimed then just claim it 
with your icon,  Don't change an icon that your tool doesn't handle.:)
All Best,
Joe


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Brutzman" <brutzman at nps.edu>
To: "doug sanden" <highaspirations at hotmail.com>
Cc: <x3d-public at web3d.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2014 1:48 AM
Subject: Re: [X3D-Public] Vendor agnostic/neutral icon(s)?


> We have long needed to provide better support and documentation for 
> this issue.  It would be great to sort it all out.
>
> Historically we have had problems with vendors "stepping on each 
> others toes" in this area.  It would be helpful to define a baseline 
> practice and suggested ways to vary compatibly.
>
> You can find some candidate images in
>
> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/examples/Basic/images/
>
> including
>
> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/examples/Basic/images/x3d2-s.gif
>
> and
>
> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/icons/
>
> including
>
> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/icons/X3D.ico
>
> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/icons/X3DtextIcon16.png
>
> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/icons/X3DtextIcon.tif
>
>
> On 9/19/2013 9:47 AM, doug sanden wrote:
>> Q. are there free/open license icons for web3d files that are 
>> vendor neutral, that I can use when installing a web3d application, 
>> to set so called shell file associations in the file 
>> explorer/shell, so as to indicate web3d files regardless of which 
>> application(s) can open them?
>>
>> -Doug
>>
>> more...
>>
>> In MS windows, icons can be associated with file extensions (ie 
>> .x3d) as seen by a so-called shell or file explorer:
>>
>> http://dug9.users.sourceforge.net/web3d/ShellScreenshot.jpg
>> - here .x3z and .x3db are 'unclaimed'
>> - .wrl, .x3d and .x3dv are claimed by flux
>> - .wrz is identified as file to be opened by a web browser (vs app)
>> - Xj3D's icon and freewrl's icon are shown for comparison
>>
>> Public / contentious extensions - like all our web3d extensions 
>> .wrl, .wrz .x3d, .x3dv, .x3db - can cause a 'fight' when different 
>> applications install and attempt to claim the extensions for 
>> themselves, including imposing their vendor-specific icon on the 
>> shell. The last one installed wins.
>> When installing freewrl, rather than imposing freewrl's icon, I'd 
>> like to put a vendor neutral icon, if there is one.
>>
>> even more...
>> I noticed windows Vista and beyond has something called 
>> 'PerceivedType' for the shell ie .png is an 'image'. Probably scene 
>> files could be put as 'model'.
>> It might be nice to show which filetypes are handled by at least 
>> one app, vs unhandled web3d files. IDEA: same icon except gray if 
>> not handled.
>>
>> more...
>> I'm working over on freewrl.sourceforge.net 
>> _______________________________________________
>> X3D-Public mailing list
>> X3D-Public at web3d.org
>> http://web3d.org/mailman/listinfo/x3d-public_web3d.org
>
> all the best, Don
> -- 
> Don Brutzman  Naval Postgraduate School, Code USW/Br 
> brutzman at nps.edu
> Watkins 270,  MOVES Institute, Monterey CA 93943-5000 USA 
> +1.831.656.2149
> X3D graphics, virtual worlds, navy robotics 
> http://faculty.nps.edu/brutzman
>
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