GCS: the graphics compatibility system. [In FORTRAN]
GCS is a collection of ANS FORTRAN subroutines which has been widely distributed, mostly in the United States, but also to several international installations. While GCS was originally designed for static graphics applications in two dimensions, continued development has produced a powerful, general-purpose three-dimensional wire-frame graphics system for both static and dynamic applications with several unique features. Included in GCS are not only facilities commonly found, such as line drawing and 2D text manipulation, but modules are also provided which allow 3D viewing environment specification, computer system-independent archiving of 3D objects which may later on be invoked, 3D text generation, general 3D axis generation, 3D coordinate system definition, and segmentation. The mnemonic mode and option-setting facility contributes greatly to the ease in which GCS may be used while also providing self-documentation for programs. The internal structure of 3D GCS is based on research which identified graphics functions supported in the hardware of many devices. Providing an interface to most recognized display device-supported graphics functions allows GCS to utilize this hardware when available. If not available, either a simulator is substituted (e.g., hardware characters) or the function is ignored (e.g., color). Computer-dependent operations are also carefully isolated to allow convenient implementation of GCS on various computer systems. Currently under development are additional facilities which will provide significant new capabilities.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, N.Mex. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-04-0789
- OSTI ID:
- 6750053
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-78-0307C; CONF-780816-2
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: ACM siggraph meeting, Atlanta, GA, USA, 21 Aug 1978
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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