Showing papers on "Software rendering published in 1984"
Patent•
21 May 1984
TL;DR: In this article, a video computer system and methods for displaying video graphics on a video display screen are described and a select circuit and methods are disclosed which automatically determine the type of graphics program presented to the system, and correspondingly selects the compatible graphics controller to execute the program.
Abstract: A video computer system and methods are disclosed for displaying video graphics on a video display screen. The video computer system employs two alternative video graphics controllers. A first graphics controller is typically one that has been previously available to consumers and which also has a substantial library of graphics programs which are designed to be executed compatibly thereon. The second graphics controller is typically not compatible with the first graphics controller, and accordingly executes a second type of graphics programs which also may not be compatibly executed on the first controller. A select circuit and methods are disclosed which automatically determine the type of graphics program presented to the system, and correspondingly selects the compatible graphics controller to execute the program. A protection circuit and methods are disclosed which authenticate the origin of the presented graphics programs, and which allow only authorized programs to be executed by the correspondingly selected compatible graphics controller.
36 citations
TL;DR: This interactive terminal produces smooth, color-shaded surfaces quickly for applications in science, engineering, training simulation, and animation.
Abstract: Capable of displaying 10,000 polygons per second, this interactive terminal produces smooth, color-shaded surfaces quickly for applications in science, engineering, training simulation, and animation.
26 citations
1 Jun 1984
TL;DR: This paper discusses the implementation of a prototype interface between a relational DBMS and an interactive computer graphics system and presents both the database structures used to manage the data and the techniques used to design the interface.
Abstract: Software applications involving interactive computer graphics are made up of several components. One of these is a data modeling component. This data modeling component is often application dependent and therefore difficult to integrate with the data model of other related applications. One solution to this problem is to interface a DBMS with an interactive graphics system to reduce data model dependency and increase sharing of data. This also has the advantage of allowing novice users to use computer graphics by eliminating the need for the user to write complex programs invoking the graphics system.This paper explores these ideas by discussing the implementation of a prototype interface between a relational DBMS and an interactive computer graphics system. It presents both the database structures used to manage the data and the techniques used to design the interface. It concludes by discussing an approach for making the interface portable.
14 citations
TL;DR: The design of a colour graphics subsystem, which can be added to any Multibus-compatible microcomputer system, has been shown, using an NEC 7220 graphics display controller chip.
4 citations
IBM1
TL;DR: An experimental graphics system is described, in which a powerful programmer's interface to graphics dynamics was implemented, and appears suitable for use as an extension to any of the existing standards and standards proposals, including, CORE, GKS, and PHIGS.
Abstract: The term “graphics dynamics” is used in this paper to describe a capability which permits the application programmer to specify a relationship between various graphics input devices and aspects of the graphics output presentation. Subsequent use of the input devices results in continuous real-time changes to the picture. An experimental graphics system is described, in which a powerful programmer's interface to graphics dynamics was implemented. This interface appears suitable for use as an extension to any of the existing standards and standards proposals, including, CORE, GKS, and PHIGS.
3 citations
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TL;DR: This image is a terrain model of a 6.6 x 8.5-mile area in Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park, Colorado, converted into a hierarchical quadtree structure of bicubic surface patches using a digital contour-line map of the quadrangle.
Abstract: This method for modeling and rendering landscapes combines contour line descriptions and random data into a linear octree data structure. Two-dimensional data is mapped onto the surface and underlying volumes.
2 citations
1 Jan 1984
1 citations
9 Jul 1984
TL;DR: CGRASS, a portable, general-purpose programming language, and how it is used for prototyping videogames is described, followed by an overview of the CGRASS language with emphasis placed on features particularly helpful for user interface design and modeling.
Abstract: As technology advances, graphics displays are becoming more powerful and less expensive, making interactive graphics increasingly popular as a method of man-machine communication. Often, nonprogrammers play a principal role in the design and implementation of applications involving graphics. Because interactive graphics require such a high level of feedback with both human and hardware, traditional programming languages are not well suited for the graphics environment.This paper describes CGRASS, a portable, general-purpose programming language, and how it is used for prototyping videogames. The design rationale for a game-prototyping system is given, followed by an overview of the CGRASS language with emphasis placed on features particularly helpful for user interface design and modeling. We show examples of tools implemented for different hardware architectures and targeted for users of varying backgrounds.
1 Jun 1984
TL;DR: The findings of an investigation to assess the current and future graphics requirements of the LaRC researchers with respect to both hardware and software are presented and a graphics system designed to meet these requirements is proposed.
Abstract: The findings of an investigation to assess the current and future graphics requirements of the LaRC researchers with respect to both hardware and software are presented. A graphics system designed to meet these requirements is proposed.