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3D interactive computer graphics
Teunissen W., van den Bos J., Ellis Horwood, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1990. Type: Book (9780139218675)
Date Reviewed: Sep 1 1991

With reference to previous graphics standards efforts, especially GKS-3D [1] and PHIGS [2], the motivation for this book is outlined clearly by the authors in the introductory chapter 1. They observe that previous proposals have a number of flaws:

To a large extent, GKS and PHIGS are based on line graphics, that is on 1-dimensional (1D) graphics primitives. It was not until the later stages of the GKS specification that raster graphics began to achieve the predominance that it now possesses. However, this has led to little more than a few ad hoc raster graphics primitives, PHIGS+ being a notable exception.

Current systems are drawing packages: an application program actually dictates the sequence in which graphics primitives are executed. The hidden-line or hidden-surface removal cannot be performed by the system. Furthermore, modelling operations are completely absent.

The authors proceed to assert that the system described in this book, namely HIRASP (Hierarchical Interactive Raster Graphics System based on Patterns), does not have these shortcomings. Its features are (again from the Introduction):

  • it supports the definition of hierarchically structured 3-dimensional objects with patterns as the basic elements

  • in these patterns, domain and colour are treated at the same level (as opposed to the prevailing approaches, in which colour is one of the attributes)

  • it contains a complete 3D viewing pipeline, hidden line and/or surface removal is standard

  • the system is entirely oriented towards raster graphics hardware

  • within the set of raster graphics devices, it is device independent

  • it provides a set of graphics input facilities

  • objects can be created and manipulated interactively, controlled by the operator

Two different versions of HIRASP exist: one serves an object space that is two-dimensional, and the other serves an object space that is three-dimensional. While the differences between these two versions are pervasive throughout the system, they are said to be “relatively transparent.”

Following the brief introduction, chapter 2 defines the syntax and semantics of HIRASP, including the routines for opening and closing it and for controlling workstation use. This chapter is followed by a three-chapter sequence representing the book’s primary material, namely the modeling of objects via three hierarchically related stages.

Chapter 3 first presents the patterns--the basic elements for creating objects. A pattern is a combination of a domain and a color function. This approach is similar but not entirely equivalent to the PHIGS+ [3] approach, which enables attributes such as color to be tied to an output primitive. The second stage, namely pattern expressions, is described in chapter 4. The basic patterns are inadequately powerful. To generate all feasible objects, the set operations unite, intersect, and subtract are provided, along with domain and color transformations.

Once those expression-based patterns are defined, they cannot be changed. Dynamic control over all patterns is achieved via the pattern graph. It enables the hierarchical combination of patterns to form one object, controlling their relative position, orientation, and size. A pattern graph does not represent another way to generate a pattern. Patterns only occur in the graph’s leaves; the nodes contain various allowable attributes. Pattern expressions and pattern graphs are distinguished in that the substructure of an expression vanishes while it is retained in a graph. The latter therefore enables manipulation of its elements.

Chapter 6 describes the routines for controlling the viewing transformations. Chapter 7 presents a basic approach to graphics input, using key, locator, and pick devices.  Finally,  chapter 8 talks about HIRASP and graphics hardware. It deals with the tradeoff that must be made when both interaction and device independence are desired.

The stated goal of this book is to describe the programmer’s interface to HIRASP. To that end, it is a well-written reference manual. It is not to be misunderstood as the equivalent of a text on three-dimensional interactive computer graphics. To really appreciate its contents, the reader should already be familiar with the well-known concepts and techniques in the area.

A good graphics text not only includes exercises but is replete with interesting, often colorful illustrations. This reference book contains no exercises and relatively few figures, and they are ordinary in appearance. In particular, although the book’s hard cover is colorful, and even though color is a basic feature of HIRASP, no color figures are included. Also, the printed page formats could have been improved. For example, sometimes figures seem to run into the text, or vice versa, and a number of gaps at page bottoms could have been eliminated, thereby shortening the book.

About 40 references are listed, and a five-page table of contents and two-page index are included. These seem adequate for the purpose intended. On the whole, the authors have accomplished what they set out to do. The HIRASP definitions and features are covered with clarity and conciseness.

Reviewer:  S. Treu Review #: CR115219
1) Information processing systems--computer graphics--graphical kernel system for three dimensions (GKS-3D), functional description ISO DP 8805. International Standardization Organization, 1985.
2) Information processing systems--computer graphics--programmer’s hierarchical interactive graphics system (PHIGS), ISO/TC79/SC21/ n819. International Standardization Organization, June 13, 1986.
3) van Dam, A. PHIGS+ functional description revision 3.0. Comput. Graph. 22, 3 (July 1988), 125–218.
Bookmark and Share
 
Three-Dimensional Graphics And Realism (I.3.7 )
 
 
Hirasp (I.3.2 ... )
 
 
Interaction Techniques (I.3.6 ... )
 
 
Raster Display Devices (I.3.1 ... )
 
 
Standards (I.3.6 ... )
 
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