Configuring graphics systems components

Abstract

Computer graphics systems have traditionally been described in terms of a conceptual model of the so-called 'graphics processing pipeline'. This model explains the relationship between graphics information defined by an application and the realization of that information on a display in terms of a sequnce of transformation stages. Although adequate for giving an outline of a single graphics system, the model lacks flexibility and detail when placed in the sphere of many different graphics systems designs, as in the 'family of graphics systems' under ISO standardization at the current time. An alternative approach is needed which provides a sufficient level of detail and flexibility to describe both existing graphics systems and possible extensions to these, which at the same time permits the comparison of graphics systems designs in a well defined framework. The computer graphics reference model presented in this paper meets many of these objectives.