>From: xanthian@saturn.ADS.COM (Metafont Consultant Account) Newsgroups: comp.graphics Subject: Re: Help w/bitmaps, Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) etc. Message-ID: <10540@saturn.ADS.COM> Date: 22 Jan 90 09:51:50 GMT Organization: Advanced Decision Systems, Mt. View, CA (415) 960-7300 Lines: 58 In article <26147@cup.portal.com> Chris_F_Chiesa@cup.portal.com writes: > > 2) What is CGM or Computer Graphics Metafile? Is it the same thing? The > fellow with the job mentioned "CGM extensions." Is that something > above and beyond a "standard" CGM? Or what? I know this "from nothing. > CGM is: A functional specification (semantic standard) for encoding computer graphics images for redisplay on one or several supported device types, with three encoding (syntactic) standards, one a character encoding for minimal size and ease of transmission, one a binary encoding for speed of access, and one a clear text encoding for human readability and easy editing. It is primarily oriented toward stroke drawn graphics, but includes raster bitmap encodings. It comprises about 300 pages, softbound. CGM is both an American National Standard and an ISO international standard. CGM is not: A 3D standard, a CAD/CAM data transfer standard (IGES is), nor is it a graphic object model data storage standard. CGM is called: ANSI X3.122-1986 American National Standard for Information Systems - Computer Graphics - Metafile for the Storage and Transfer of Picture Description Information CGM is available from: American National Standards Institute, Inc. 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018 CGM supports, and is used by, GKS (the Graphical Kernal Standard), but is independent from it. CGM is also used as a "least common denominator" picture transfer mechanism among many commercial, off the shelf business packages, e.g. Harvard Graphics. There may well be extensions since the 1986 document, but I am not aware of them. In particular, support for GKS-3D is sorely needed. Jef, perhaps this should go in your weekly listing; it seems to be asked very often. Also, can anyone supply the order number for ANSI, New York? -- Again, my opinions, not the account furnishers'. xanthian@well.sf.ca.us xanthian@ads.com (Kent Paul Dolan) Kent, the (bionic) man from xanth, now available as a build-a-xanthian kit at better toy stores near you. Warning - some parts proven fragile. -> METAFONT, TeX, graphics programming done on spec -- (415) 964-4486 <-