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Layer Generalization discussion

(8-11-16)

The Problem

Original layers are line and point oriented (only). → Base Layer type is insufficiently abstract
- Subtyping carries too much base functionality for other types.
Layer identification (AKA LayerEnum) currently SmartSuite/ADF centric.
- Non-ADF implementation difficult to generalize.
Layers (as implemented c. 2016) merely containers. → No information hiding
Layer management is principally in Project (via getLayer()).
- ADF (single layer type) vs. KML (multiples of layers)

Current Layer Uses

Use cases

New Layer Definition

The purpose of a Layer is to aggregate objects into collections for the user's convenience such as display and selection.

Collection of data and drawables.
- May take parameters in form of color and/or images for display.
Layers have children (zero or more children)
Mediates UI interaction with data
- selection via on screen picking
- selection via select() method to the layer
- ViewLists (tree view of all layers)
Data may be:
- lines/points
- surfaces
- images; AKA plansheets, ground overlay types of things
- placemarks
- Polygon; AKA measure/report area, etc.
LayerManagement
- Application specific - Separate (from Project) layer manager for each application type
- Layer have a unique identifier (today LayerEnum).
  - example: Note1 vs Note2, or Design vs. Existing
- Responsible for interpreting data source to layer generation.
- Look at LayerFactory in SP (or default impl) for example

Measure area should not refer to drawables and layers. A MeasureAreaLayer ought to refer to a MA and do it's own drawables. Currently MA is and invert of what other layers are (e.g. SimpleLine3D doesn't know it's layer).
2016-09-05 items for Sept 9:
- SmartGrade wants to be able to track if visibility has changed; layer function or appearance adapter fun?

List of things to consider when writing interfaces and concrete classes.

Layer and possibly layer subclasses
- Layer identification (LayerEnum replacement)
- Get / create drawables
- Detect selection via touch on screen (in world coords)
- Set / Get as selected (implied new / modified drawable state)
LayerFactory
- Find layer
- Create layer
- Delete layer (AKA recycle)
Refactor items
- Remove legacy Util.DIP calls, use apppearance adapter
- Remove legacy color setting, use appearance adapter
- Remove legacy layer management methods from project; replace with appropriate object
- Remove external layer graphic compilation from Project(s), replace with layer subtype(s)
- Remove external layer manipulation from MeasurementArea, replace with appropriate delegate (objects)

What types of user interaction are there between UI and data?
- Find closes pt
- set graphic selected
- is user controllable
- is visible
Probably have different types of layer factories based on source: KMZ vs. ADF
Dyanmic drawables (user location, etal) use custom drawables
added Layer .getMin(), .getMax() implementation to derive from backing data object
draw order added to layer, mja to investigate rendering workers to see best impl.
Ninja layers supported via isUserControllable().

Open Issues

1) What about when data changes. i.e. Adding data to a track.

Task Number	Estimate	Status	Description	Notes
1			Layer Factor
1.1	0.5	Done	Define objects for Layers	1) BM's, 2) Line & Pt, 3) Parametric line, 4) Colored surface, 5) Ground overlays, 6) Polygonal areas, 7) Notes, 8) Photos, 9) Tracks, 10) Measure, 11) MC Blade, 12) User Arrow, 13) Grade Rods
1.2			Layer/Factory Interfaces
1.2.1		Open	Complete Layer/Factory Interfaces	Notes and Java Doc'ing
1.2.2		Open	Add listeners	For when drawable changes or selection occurs
1.2.3		Open	Abstract Layer class	isVisible, isDirty, isSelected, Label, Controllable, color, children
1.3		Open	ADF LayerFactory
1.4		Open	KMZ LayerFactory
1.5		Open	Rework Project for LayerFactory Interface
2			Layers
2.1			Implement Layers	1) Add/Remove Accessors 2) Selection
2.1.1		Open	PlacemarkLayer	BM, Notes, Photos
2.1.2		Open	LineLayer
2.1.3		Open	ParametricLineLayer
2.1.4		Open	ColoredSurfaceLayer
2.1.5		Open	GroundOverlayLayer
2.1.6		Open	PolygonLayer
2.1.7		Open	TrackLayer
2.1.8		Open	MeasureLayer	Extract layer func from MeasurementArea
2.1.9		Open	BladeLayer
2.1.10		Open	UserArrowLayer
2.1.11		Open	GradeRodLayer
2.9	1	Open	Appearance adapter	These control layer visibility, color, linewidth and gpyphsize. Knowing when a layer is and isn't visible is complicated for apps such as SmartGrade.
3			Complete port
3.1		Open	SmartDirt
3.2		Open	SmartGrade
3.3		Open	SmartBlade
3.4		Open	SmartPlan
3.5		Open	TrackMgr
4		Open	Graphics
4.1		Open	Define Draw Order rules
4.2		Open	Drawable Accessors
4.3		Open	Generic Appearance Adapter
Total