[Paraview-developers] Changes to server manager xml format (pvsm)

[Berk Geveci]

Hi Folks,

I recently made some changes to the server manager that require changes to 
server manager xml filters (pvsm). ParaView has been using the old way of 
connecting objects in the pipeline:

filter->SetInput(source->GetGetOutput());

Although still supported, this way of connecting pipeline objects is no longer 
recommended. The recommended way is:

filter->SetInputConnection(source->GetOutputPort());

I change the paraview engine (server manager) to use the recommended the way. 
This has two impacts:

1. You have to change your server manager configuration files (pvsm). Input 
properties that use SetInput, AddInput, SetSource etc. should be changed to use 
SetInputConnection, AddInputConnection, SetSourceConnection etc. If you have 
sources or filters that sub-class from one of the legacy classes (vtkSource, 
vtkPolyDataSource, vtkPolyDataToPolyDataFilter etc.), you should convert it to 
the new pipeline (sub-class from vtkAlgorithm, vtkPolyDataAlgorithm etc.).

2. vtkSMPart no longer keeps a reference to the data object (it is not a proxy 
of the output). To get a proxy to the data object, use 
vtkSMPart::GetDataObjectProxy(). Please make sure to read the documentation 
before using.

Please make sure that you update your modules.

I have been working on multi-block and AMR support and this will cause other 
changes as well. I will keep you updated.

-Berk