Computer Graphics Programming : GKS -- The Graphics Standard

For several years the authors of this book have been involved in the design and the national and international review of the forthcoming graphical standard. When the end of this process could be foreseen and the International Standard "Graphical Kernel System" (GKS) was cast into its. final form, the urgent need arose for detailed information to the graphics community about this stan­ dard and for the education of graphics programmers. One major goal of GKS, besides the portability of graphical application programs and the device inde­ pendence, is "programmer portability" by establishing a common base for train­ ing of graphics programmers. Having accompanied the path of GKS from the very early stages of defining the basic concepts and designing its first versions up to the final draft of the International Standard, we feIt it worthwhile to start the venture of a text book on computer graphics programming based on GKS. This book is aimed, at one hand, at graphics users, experts and managers who want to get an overview of the new standard and a better understanding of its concepts. On the other hand, it addresses the graphics programmers who want to use GKS for realizing their graphical applications. It can serve as the base for teaching and studying functions, concepts and methods of GKS. Addi­ tionally, it will be a valuable source of information for implementors of GKS. Front Matter....Pages I-XVI Front Matter....Pages 1-1 What is Computer Graphics?....Pages 2-4 Intention and Contents of Part I....Pages 4-4 The Computer Graphics User....Pages 5-6 Interfaces of the Graphical Kernel System....Pages 6-8 Principles and Goals of the Graphical Kernel System....Pages 8-11 Main Concepts of the Graphical Kernel System....Pages 11-13 Creating Graphical Output....Pages 13-24 Coordinate Systems and Transformations....Pages 25-28 The Graphical Workstation....Pages 28-33 Input....Pages 33-37 Segments....Pages 37-42 The GKS Metafile....Pages 42-44 States and State Lists....Pages 45-46 Error Handling....Pages 47-47 Front Matter....Pages 49-49 The Evolution of Computer Graphics....Pages 50-54 Committees, People and Events....Pages 55-60 GKS Review — Issues and Their Solution....Pages 60-78 Front Matter....Pages 79-79 Format and Structure of Part III....Pages 80-85 Levels....Pages 86-98 States and State Lists....Pages 99-114 Front Matter....Pages 79-79 Workstations....Pages 115-148 Transformations....Pages 149-168 Output Primitives....Pages 168-230 Segments....Pages 230-266 Input....Pages 267-334 Error Handling....Pages 334-346 Inquiry Functions....Pages 346-398 Metafile Interface....Pages 398-420 Front Matter....Pages 421-421 Mapping of Output Primitives and Attributes on Physical Workstations....Pages 422-427 The Mapping of Logical to Physical Input Devices....Pages 427-438 Implementation Aspects....Pages 439-447 Language Interfaces and Their Implementation....Pages 448-467 Interfaces to Graphics Devices....Pages 467-477 Metafiles....Pages 477-484 Certification/Validation of GKS....Pages 485-500 Terminology....Pages 500-501 3D Extensions to GKS....Pages 501-507 Back Matter....Pages 508-544