{This is a re-send of the message I tried to mail to lcd-dev earlier but 
was rejected since I was at a new email address - my apologies to Norman 
and Tony who will get it a second time -- but actually I have added some 
more comments/questions in the PID section}

Hello,

out of general interest, what is the status of using XML for the lcd  
geometry definition files for the JAS fastmc?

JAS uses xml files for other applications but the lcd.jar distribution 
seems to be using only .ini files { there was a reference in 
Detector.ini to reproducing largeParms2.xml ( used for the root full 
sim?)}.

and...

In case you are curious about this sudden spurt of questions, I am  
working on putting particle ID into the fast simulation/reconstruction  
based on a prototype(?) reconstructed particle class by Gary Bower.  
First, I am doing a DIRC - but before you get too excited, this is  
mainly as an exercise to get the structure set up and to excercise the  
reconstructed particle class. Currently, I hardwire geometry and  
detector specific ID property parameters (e.g. Cerenkov photon  
reconstruction resolution) in the code and would like to use something  
like the geometry and parameters files instead. Then I can make the PID  
classes more general.

I tried editing the Detector.ini and making the associated component 
java files, but I get complaints at compile/load time that it cannot 
read the file (even if I use a copy of the original with no DIRC stuff 
but put it in a different place). I tried various ways of pointing at 
the new location without success. I am about to try editing the original 
(on my machine only of course!) where it sits and rebuilding lcd.jar 
itself. Is there an easier way?

Any comments on these topics or suggestions to make it easier to test 
the implementation will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Bob

-- 
Robert J. Wilson
Professor of Physics
Department of Physics
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone:   (970) 491 5033
Fax:     (970) 491 7947
Email: [log in to unmask]

August 2000 - July 2001:
========================
Institut de Fisica d'Altes Energies
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
E-08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona)
SPAIN
Phone: (011 34) 93 581.33.22
Fax:   (011 34) 93 581.19.38
Email: [log in to unmask]
========================