Towards a Graphics Standard for 3D (GKS-3D)

Abstract

GKS [1] is about to be published as an international standard. For sometime the ISO working group on Computer Graphics (known as ISO TC97 SC21 WG2, formerly SC21 WG5--2 and SC5 WG2) has been investigating, via its 3D sub-group, extensions to GKS. In September 1983 at its meeting in Gananoque, Canada, the group identified two areas appropriate for standardisation [2]. Recognising that for many application programs requiring a computer graphics interface, 2D was not sufficient, the extension to 3D was an obvious choice. For many applications the segment model of GKS is not adequate and the provision of facilities for the hierarchical structuring of (graphical) data is the second area. Of course WG2 has been and is developing other standards associated with GKS, e.g. the CGM and CGI. The aim of working group is to produce, as far as technically feasible, members of a compatible family of graphics standards and NOT competing standards.