Hello processing folks.

Im working on a project for share (http://share.dj). Im the webmaster/db/php programming guy, and id like to visualize some multimedia we have in our database in a specific way, but first I have a few questions on processing, its conventions, and openGL.

1) Are the units of measure always pixels, or are they ever openGL 'metrics', ie 1/2/3 without any 'units'?. If so, when is each used (are there guidelines at all?) IE: if I create a scene with size(300, 300, P3D);, I understand 'width' will be '300', but if I use that in an openGL context.. am I still using the right units?

2) FSAA with jogl? Can I enable a smoother/AA'd display for my applets I create? IM specifically looking to smooth onscreen text in an openGL environment, as they look pretty shoddy...

3) OCD library: I have some code I am experimenting with, and I am getting odd POV with my camera controls.. (I copied them from the reference library), but it seems to really alter the aspect ratio and the focal length when I move my mouse around. What am I doing wrong? (code below).

4) Mysql (yes I know this isnt the right area, sorry :) ). Ive read a few posts about mysql slowing things down. I am assuming this is because calls are being made during the draw() routine. Mysql doesnt inheritly slow anything down does it (if used right of course)?

I have to say, yesterday was my first day using processing, and already im drawing to openGL, pulling things in from mySQL and displaying them. Its a very friendly language. Well done developers, im impressed.


/*
 vade::shareCMS visualizer test.
 eventually we will integrate mysql, pull media URLS and associated metadata for events,
 put them in a timeline, and make it sexy as shit. phj34r.
 
*/

// import OCD Library
import damkjer.ocd.*;
Camera cam1; // new instance of OCD Camera

PFont displayFont; // define our font.

void setup()
{
 // basics
 size(300, 300, P3D);
 framerate(30);
 //OCD Camera & pos.
 cam1 = new Camera(this, 50, -125, 180);
 
 // load up our font resource
 displayFont = loadFont("Univers45.vlw.gz");
}

void draw()
{
 //initial drawing setup..
 background(105, 105, 105);
 lights();
 cam1.feed();
 
 // line with date text..

 pushMatrix();
   beginShape(LINES);
   stroke(255);
   translate(width/2, height/2, 0); // center drawing..
   vertex(-200,0,0);
   vertex(200,0,0);
   for(int i= 0; i< 41; i++) // draw our map unit ticks...
   {
    // stroke((i*  )) // gradiate color ..
     vertex ( ((i* 10) -200), 0, 0);
     vertex ( ((i* 10) -200), 10, 0);  
   }

 endShape();
 popMatrix();  
// text

 pushMatrix();
   translate(width/2, height/2, 0);
   rotateY(90);
   textFont(displayFont, 20); // set font..
   text("Date", 0, 0, 0);
 popMatrix();

// reset camera/perspective to draw logo over everything..
camera();
perspective();
pushMatrix();
  translate(5, height-5, 0);
  textFont(displayFont, 20); // reset font size..
  text("vade::s-cmsVisualizer// 0.1 b", 0, 0, 0);
popMatrix();

}

void mouseMoved()
{
 cam1.circle(radians(mouseX - pmouseX));
 cam1.zoom(radians(mouseY - pmouseY) / 2.0);
}