The Computer Graphics Metafile

Butterworth Series in Computer Graphics Standards

1st Edition - June 25, 1990
Authors: L.R. Henderson, A.M. Mumford
Editors: B. Shepherd, D. B. Arnold
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 1 - 4 4 8 4 - 9

The Computer Graphics Metafile deals with the Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) standard and covers topics ranging from the structure and contents of a metafile to CGM… Read more

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The Computer Graphics Metafile deals with the Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) standard and covers topics ranging from the structure and contents of a metafile to CGM functionality, metafile elements, and real-world applications of CGM. Binary Encoding, Character Encoding, application profiles, and implementations are also discussed. This book is comprised of 18 chapters divided into five sections and begins with an overview of the CGM standard and how it can meet some of the requirements for storage of graphical data within a graphics system or application environment. The reader is then introduced to the practice of using the CGM and the nature of the CGM, its aims, and what is defined in the standard. The following chapters focus on the players, the rules, and the game; the abstract functionality of the CGM; descriptor elements for metafiles and pictures; coordinates, primitives, and attributes; and encodings and implementation considerations. Clear Text Encoding, Binary Encoding, Character Encoding, and application profiles are also explored. The final chapter looks at the use of GKS, GKS-3D, and PHIGS to generate and interpret CGMs. This monograph will be a valuable resource for computer graphics students and professionals as well as software engineers and computer programmers.

Part 1 Chapter 1 Where does the CGM fit in 1 Chapter Overview 2 Different Requirements for Graphical Data Storage 3 Types of Graphical Data 4 A General Model for Data Storage 5 The need for Standards 6 The CGM and the Rest of the Graphics Environment 7 Summary 8 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 2 Using the CGM 1 Chapter Overview 2 Who is the CGM For? 3 The CGM as a Solution 4 CGM Awareness and Feasibility Demonstrations 5 The CGM in Use 6 Summary 7 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 3 What is the CGM? 1 Chapter Overview 2 Designing a Metafile Standard 3 Using a Metafile 4 Metafile Functionality and Encodings 5 The Structure and Contents of a Metafile 6 Encodings 7 Conformance of Metafiles 8 CGM Extensions Work 9 Finding Your way Round the Standard 10 Summary 11 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 4 Developing CGM - The History 1 Chapter Overview 2 Introduction 3 The Players 4 The Rules 5 The GamePart 2 Chapter 5 CGM Functionality 1 Chapter Overview 2 CGM Structure 3 Different Types of Elements 4 Primitive Elements 5 Attributes 6 Coordinate Space 7 Information for the Interpreter 8 Escape Elements 9 External Elements 10 Sticking the Elements Together 11 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 6 Further Elements and Considerations 1 Chapter Overview 2 Some Further Considerations about Elements 3 Character Sets and Character Set Selection 4 Suggestions for Further ThoughtPart 3 Chapter 7 Overview of The CGM Encodings 1 Chapter Overview 2 History and Background 3 Terminology 4 The Need for Multiple Encodings 5 Types of Encodings 6 Encoding Characteristics and Selection Criteria 7 An Example 8 Preview 9 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 8 The Clear Text Encoding 1 Chapter Overview 2 Objectives of the Encoding 3 Basic Principles of the Encoding 4 Encoding Elements 5 Encoding and Decoding the Different Parameter Types 6 Encoding Dependent Elements 7 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 9 The Binary Encoding 1 Chapter Overview 2 Objectives of the Encoding 3 Basic Principles of the Encoding 4 Encoding Opcodes 5 Alignment of Elements and Data 6 Parameter Encoding Basics 7 Encoding the CGM Datatypes 8 Encoding Dependent Elements 9 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 10 Character Encoding 1 Chapter Overview 2 Objectives of the Encoding 3 Basic Principles of the Encoding 4 Character Substitution 5 Encoding Opcodes 6 Encoding Parameters 7 Encoding Dependent Elements 8 Suggestions for Further ThoughtPart 4 Chapter 11 Application Profiles 1 Chapter Overview 2 The Standards as Complete Specifications 3 The Concept of Application Profiles 4 The Importance of Application Profiles 5 The MAP/TOP Application Profile 6 The CALS Application Profile 7 Other Profiles 8 The Problem with Application Profiles 9 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 12 What to Implement 1 Chapter Overview 2 Introduction 3 General Considerations 4 Classification of Implementations 5 How Much to Implement 6 Implementation Choices and Evaluation 7 Criteria for Evaluating CGM Implementations 8 Summary 9 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 13 Elements of the CGM 1 Chapter Overview 2 CGM Data Types 3 Delimiter Elements 4 Metafile Descriptor Elements 5 Picture Descriptor Elements 6 Control Elements 7 Graphical Primitive Elements 8 Attribute Elements 9 Escape Element 10 External Elements Chapter 14 Using the CGM from GKS and PHIGS 1 Chapter Overview 2 Using the CGM from a GKS Application 3 Using the CGM from a PHIGS Application 4 Conclusions 5 Suggestions for Further Though Chapter 15 Testing Considerations 1 Chapter Overview 2 General Ideas of Conformance Testing 3 CGM conformance 4 The Future for CGM Testing 5 Summary 6 Suggestions for Further ThoughtPart 5 Chapter 16 Extending the CGM 1 Chapter Overview 2 Requirements Outside the CGM 3 Nature of Further Work 4 Summary of the Status of Projects 5 Conclusions 6 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 17 CGM Addendum 1 1 Chapter Overview 2 General Principles for the Extension 3 Environmental Information 4 Primitives 5 Segments in the CGM 6 Inheritance Filter and Copy Segment 7 Clipping Modes 8 Save and Restore Primitive Context 9 Metafile Descriptor Elements 10 GKS Mapping 11 Description of the CGM Addendum 1 Elements 12 Summary 13 Suggestions for Further Thought Chapter 18 Further Extensions 1 Chapter Overview 2 CGM for 3 Dimensions 3 CGM Addendum 3 4 GKS Addendum 1 5 Conclusions 6 Suggestions for Further Thought The Appendices Appendix A CGM Encoding Opcode Tables Appendix B The ASCII Code Table Appendix C The CALS Application Profile 1 Introduction 2 Sections Extracted from the CALS Profile Appendix D Corrections for the CGM Standard 1 Introduction 2. Part One - Functional Description 3. Part Two - Character Encoding 4. Part Three - Binary Encoding 4. Part Four - Clear Text Encoding 6. Other Comments Appendix E GlossaryAbbreviations TableBibliographyIndex