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8
Definitions

ambient light

A light source that enters into the reflectance calculation independently of the orientation of the area being illuminated of the location of the eye.

ambient reflection coefficient

The fraction of ambient light reflected from an area.

area primitive

Any of the output primitives : fill area, fill area set, cell array, fill area set with data, cell array PLUS, set of fill area set with data, triangle strip with data, triangle set with data, quadrilateral mesh with data, non uniform B-spline surface and non uniform B spline surface with data. In addition, some generalized drawing primitives may have this classification.

attenuation coefficient

A parameter in an expression that models the decrease in intensity of light as a function of the distance from a light source to an illuminated object. Such expressions are typically used to simulate the light attenuating effects of different media, e.g., fog, water and air.

back face

any facet of an area primitive whose geometric normal when transformed to NPC has a negative Z component.

bundle table entry

A single entry in a bundle table. Each entry contains one value for each aspect which applies to the corresponding output primitive. This set is workstation dependant.

color mapping

The conversion of direct colors in the rendering pipeline to other colors before they are displayed on the workstation.

cell array

output primitive consisting of a parallelogram of equal sized cells, each of which is a parallelogram and has a single color.

centralized structure store(CSS)

The conceptual workstation independent storage area for structure networks.

character base vector

An aspect of text which defines the direction of the baseline of a character. It id a two-dimensional vector in the text plane specified in the "text" structure element.

character body

The rectangle defining the horizontal and vertical limits of an individual character.

character expansion factor

An aspect of text which specifies the deviation of character width from the defined nominal value of a given font on a given workstation.

character height

An aspect of text of which specifies the nominal value for the height of an upper case character.

character set

A registered interpretation for entries in the character code table (see ISO 2022).

character spacing

An aspect of text which specifies the fraction of the font nominal value for character height to be added between adjacent character bodies in a string.

character up vector

An aspect of text which defines the principal up direction of the text string. It is a two-dimensional vector in the plane specified in the "text" structure element.

character width

An aspect of text which specifies the nominal value of the width of a character. The actual width depend on the width to height ratio specified by the designer of the font to which the character belongs.

child structure

A structure specified in a structure reference.

choice device

A logical input device providing a non-negative integer defining one of a set of alternatives.

CIE

Abbreviation for the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage. Used to refer to the CIE universal color definition system used as a color model.

CIELUV

Abbreviation for the CIE 1976 ("LUV") color space.

clipping

Removing parts of output primitives which lie outside a specified volume. The exact effect of clipping some output primitives may be implementation or workstation dependent.

color index

An index used to access an entry in a color table.

color model

Characterization of a color space in terms of explicit parameters.

color space

Geometric representation of colors in space, usually of three dimensions.

color spline

The parametric curve or surface in color space (or homogeneous color space) defining the color distribution over an output primitive.

color system

A color coordinate system.

color table

A workstation dependent table, in which the entries specify the values defining a particular color.

composite modelling transformation

A transformation applied to output primitives produced during structure traversal. It is defined as the concatenation of the local modelling transformation and global modelling transformations such that the local modelling transformation is the first transformation to be applied.

conflict resolution flag

During the process of structure archiving from the CSS or structure retrieval from an archive, naming conflicts may occur between structures on the archive file and structures in the CSS. The conflict resolution flag indicates how these conflicts will be resolved.

connection identifier

An implementation specific means of defining the connection to one or more physical entities which constitutes a single workstation.

concentration exponent

A parameter of a spot light source that specifies the relative decrease of light as the angle of the light deviates from the centreline of the light source's cone of influence.

cone of influence

A conceptual cone that represents the influence of light from a spot light source. The cone of influence is defined by the light source's position, direction and spread angle.

data mapping

The conversion of application-specific data or color to intrinsic color.

data record

A compound data type, the content of which is defined by the context within which it is used. For example, the content of the data records used in the input device initialization functions may vary depending upon the particular prompt and echo type specified in the invocation of the initialization function.

deferral mode

The deferral mode for a workstation is part of the display update state and specifies when changes to posted structure networks and the workstation state list shall be reflected in the displayed image.

depth cueing

An effect in which the colors of points on an output primitive are combined with a specified depth cue color. The degree of combination is dependent on the depth (NPC Z) of the points.

depth cue mode

A field in each entry of the depth cue table of the workstation state list that indicates whether or not depth cueing be performed.

depth cue table

A table in the workstation state list that contains information used to control depth cueing.

descendant structure

A child structure or the descendant of a child structure.

device coordinates (DC)

A device dependent part of a PHIGS, DC units are metres on a device capable of producing a precisely scaled image, and appropriate workstation dependant units otherwise.

device driver

The device dependent part of a PHIGS implementation that supports a physical graphics device. The device driver generates device dependent output and handles device dependent interaction.

device space

The space defined by the addressable points of a display device. (Taken from ISO 7942 and ISO 8805).

diffuse reflection

An approximation of the light reflected equally in all directions from an area. Diffusely reflected light, in the absence of any specularly reflected light, gives an area a dull, matte appearance that is independent of the viewing direction.

diffuse reflection coefficient

The fraction of light from non ambient light sources diffusely reflecting from an area.

direct color specification

A non-indexed method of specifying color where the components of the color, i.e., coordinates in color space, are specified together with the color model in which those components are expressed.

directional light

A light that enters into reflectance calculation dependent on the orientation of the area being illuminated, but independent of the area's position. Directional light sources are used to simulate light sources relatively far from the area being lit.

display device

A graphics device on which images can be represented. A display device is one possible component of a workstation.

display priority

The priority assigned to a structure network when it is posted. It is used to discriminate between output primitives when they are mapped to the same display space location.

display space

That portion of device space corresponding to the volume available for displaying images.

display surface

The physical area on a display device onto which PHIGS images may be placed.

display update state

Determines how and when the display surface is modified to reflect changes in the centralized structure store and the workstation state list. An application selects the display update state to take into account the capabilities of a workstation and the requirements of the application program. The display update state consists of the two workstation dependent aspects of deferral mode and modification mode.

echo

The immediate notification to the operator of the current measure of a logical input device.

echo area; echo volume

An area or volume, defined in device coordinates, which may be used for the display of a prompt or echo.

echo type

A parameter of device initialization which selects the echo technique for a particular logical input device.

edge

The set of boundaries of the polygons defined in the fill area set output primitive.

edge flag

An aspect on fill area set which enables or disables the display of edges.

edgetype

An aspect of fill area set which indicates the style of the edges.

edge visibility flag

An indicator that is part of the specification of some output primitives, such as fill area set with data, that controls whether an individual edge is visible. This indicator is only used during traversal when the edge flag aspect is ON.

edge visibility flag

An indicator that is part of the specification of some output primitives, such as fill area set with data, that controls whether an individual edge is visible. This indicator is only used during traversal when the edge flag aspect is ON.

edgewidth scale factor

An aspect of fill area set which indicates the relative width of the image of an edge. The edgewidth scale factor is applied to a workstation dependent nominal value.

edit mode

Determines whether a new structure element will replace the structure element at the element pointer or will be inserted into the open structure after the element pointer.

element pointer

A pointer used during structure editing, the value of which identifies the position in the open structure at which element deletion and creation will occur.

element position

A number associated with a structure element which indicates the element's position within a structure.

element reference list

A list of references which define the hierarchy within one branch of a structure network. Each reference consists of a structure identifier and an element position within that structure. If the list contains N pairs, then the first N-1 pairs identify EXECUTE STRUCTURE elements. The jth such element references the structure named in the (j-1)st list element. The deepest element of the list may identify any type of structure element.

element type

The identifying classification of a structure element. For example, fill area, label, application data, linewidth scale factor.

empty interior style

One possible representation of the interior of a fill area or fill set output primitive. If the edges are not displayed, the image of a fill area set with interior style empty is invisible. The image of a fill area output primitive with interior style empty is always invisible.

escape

A function which provides access to implementation dependent or device dependent features not concerned with the generation of graphical output.

event mode

An operating mode for a logical input device in which asynchronous input is placed or the event queue as an event report when a trigger fires.

event queue

A time-ordered collection of event reports.

event report

An entry in the event queue which consists of a logical input value and identification of the logical input device responsible.

exclusion set

The portion of a filter which defines those name set members which are not eligible for a certain operation.

eye point

A point in WC that transforms to infinite positive Z in NPC (the homogeneous point (0, 0, 1, 0)). This point in the reflectance calculation for determining viewing-position-dependent effects of lighting.

face culling

The process of excluding back facing or front facing portions of area primitives from rendering pipeline, and thus from being displayed.

facet

An interior segment of an area primitive. Each of an output primitive is defined by a subset of the primitive's set of vertices ; the subset is dependent on the individual primitive type, and in the case of parametric surfaces, on the approximation of the surface.

facet data

Intrinsic color data or a normal vector specified with an area primitive.

facet normal

A normal vector associated with a facet of an primitive. A facet normal is typically used for determining the reflectance normal.

fill area

An output primitive consisting of a single polygon.

fill area set

An output primitive consisting of a set of fill areas with or without edges.

fill area set with data

An output primitive consisting of a set of coplanar polygons. It is similar to the fill area set output primitive in Part 1. The corresponding structure element may include other information such as colors or normals that may be used to color, light and shade the output primitive.

filter

The combination of the inclusion set and the exclusion set which identify output primitives eligible or ineligible for a certain operation. PHIGS supports filters for picking, highlighting, invisibility, and incremental spatial search.

font

A set of character representations all of which share certain visual characteristics.

front facing

An adjective used to describe a portion of an area primitive that has a geometric normal which, when transformed to NPC, has a non-negative Z.

front plane

A plane parallel to the view plane which is specified as an N coordinate value in the view reference coordinate system. Output primitives in front of the front plane lie outside the view volume.(Taken from ISO 8805).

general color

A data type that allows both the direct and indirect specification of color. General color specifies a color type and color values. The color type can either indicate a color model, in which case the color values are coordinates in the color space corresponding to that model, or it can indicate that the color is being indirectly, in which case the single color values is an index into the workstation-dependent color table.

generalized drawing primitive (GDP)

An output primitive which accesses implementation dependent and workstation dependent geometric capabilities such as curve drawing.

generalized structure element (GSE)

A structure element which is used to access implementation dependent, workstation dependent, or device dependent features during structure traversal. It is a structure element which access attribute or control functionality, but does not create an output primitive.

geometric normal

A unit length vector that indicates the orientation of portions of area primitives.

geometry spline

The parametric curve of surface defining the geometry of a parametric output primitive.

global modelling transformation

A component of the composite modelling transformation. When traversal of a structure begins, it is set to the current composite modelling transformation of the parent structure or if it is the posted structure, the default value in the PHIGS description table.

hatch interior style

One possible representation of the interior of a fill area set or fill area output primitive. The interior is filled with a pattern of parallel and/or crossing hatch lines, selected from the workstation's hatch table.

hidden line/hidden surface removal (HLHSR)

Removal of those parts of output primitives which are obscured by other output primitives.

highlighting

Emphasizing an output primitive by modifying its visual attributes in some workstation dependent manner.

highlighting filter

A filter consisting of two name sets, the highlighting inclusion set and the highlighting exclusion set, used to identify output primitives which are eligible for highlighting.

HLS

An abbreviation of the Hue, Lightness, Saturation color model.

hollow interior style

One possible representation of the interior of a fill area or fill area set output primitive. The image is the boundary line only, including any boundaries created by clipping.

HSV

An abbreviation for the Hue, Saturation, Value color model.

image

The appearance of objects after rendering.

implicit regeneration

The complete recreation of the contents of a display surface such that it is visually correct. This may occur when changes to the posted structure networks or the workstation state list invalidate the displayed image. Such a regeneration is not explicitly requested by the application program.

inclusion set

The portion of a filter which defines those name set members eligible for a certain operation.

indirect color specification

A method of specifying color via an index into a workstation dependent color table.

inheritance

The mechanism by which child structures obtain initial attribute settings from their ancestor structures.

input class

The characterization of the functionality of a logical input device. There are six classes of logical input device : locator, stroke, valuator, choice, pick, and string.

input mode

One of the three possible methods of obtaining data from a logical input device : REQUEST, SAMPLE, or EVENT.

inquire function

A mechanism for communicating to the application program data contained in a state list or description table.

interior

The set of points which lie inside a fill area set. PHIGS provides a rule for determining whether or not a given point is inside a fill area or fill area set.

interior style

An aspect which indicates the style used to fill the interior of a fill area or fill area set.

intrinsic color

The color of an output primitive that are independent of lighting, depth cueing an color mapping.

invisibility

The state if an output primitive being hidden from view even when lying within the display surface and not occluded by other output primitives.

invisible filter

A filter consisting of two name sets, the invisibility inclusion set and the invisibility exclusion set, used to identify output primitives eligible for invisibility.

intrinsic color data

Color or application-specific data associated with output primitives and specified in the output primitive's structure element. Intrinsic color data, when specified, is conditionally used to determine the intrinsic color of an output primitive.

isoparametric curve

A curve on a parametric surface produced by evaluating the surface over the range of one of its independent variables while holding its other independent variable constant.

isotropic mapping

A transformation which preserves aspect ratio.

knot vector

A non decreasing sequence of real numbers that is part of the definition of non-uniform B-splines. This vector consists of values for the independent variables of the output primitive and is used in computing the B-spline basis polynomials.

label

A structure element, consisting of an identifier, which can be used as a place-marker to facilitate structure editing.

language binding

The expression of a functional specification in the syntax of a particular programming language.

light source

An entry in a workstation light source table used to simulate a source of light. All light sources have a color. Some light source types have aspects such a position, direction, concentration exponent, spread angles and attenuation.

light source direction

A unit vector that defines the orientation of oriented light sources.

light source state

A field in the traversal state list that selects which light sources in a workstation light source table are active.

lighting

See reflectance calculation.

linetype

An aspect which indicates the style of the images of a polyline, such as solid, dashed or dotted.

linewidth scale factor

An aspect which indicates the relative width or the image of a polyline. The linewidth scale factor is applied to a workstation dependent nominal value.

local modelling transformation

A component of the composite modelling transformation. When traversal of a structure begins, it is set to the identity transformation.

locator device

A logical input providing a position in world coordinates and an associated view index.

logical input device

An abstraction of one or more physical input devices which delivers logical input values to the application program.

marker

A glyph with a specifies appearance which is used to identify a location on a display surface. The shape of a marker us not subject to transformation

marker size scale factor

An aspect which indicates the relative size of the image of a marker. The marker size scale factor is applied to a workstation dependent nominal value.

marker type

An aspect which selects the type of glyph used for markers.

measure

A value which is determined by the values of one or more physical input devices and a mapping from these values to a form required by one of the logical input classes. (Taken from ISO 7942 and ISO 8805).

measure process

A process which comes into existence when a logical input device is enabled for interaction. The current state of a measure process is the measure.

message

A string sent b the application program to a workstation principally for communication with the operator.

metafile

A mechanism for retaining and transporting graphical data and control information. A metafile contains a device independent description of one or more pictures. (Taken from ISO 8632).

minimal simulation

The minimal required action which is necessary when a workstation does not have the capability to render an output primitive as specified by the application.

modal

A type of change mechanism which extends its effect until another change specification supersedes it. Attribute settings and control functions are modal for a given structure and its descendant structures.

modelling coordinates

The device independent three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system in which graphical objects are defined by the application program using the PHIGS output primitives

modelling transformation

See local modelling transformation, global modelling transformation, composite modelling transformation.

modification mode

Part of the display update state. The modification mode governs what category of visual effects shall be immediately achieved, and how they are achieved, on a workstation.

name set

An output primitive attribute consisting of a set of classifications defining the eligibility of output primitives for highlighting, invisibility, picking and incremental spatial search.

nominal value

The workstation dependent base value for aspects of output primitives.

normal vector

A unit length vector, typically indicating the orientation of an object ([section] 6.2).

normalized projection coordinates (NPC)

The device independent three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system in which the composition of images is specified to the graphics system. The view clipping limits and the workstation window are specified in NPC space.

operator

Person manipulating physical input devices so as to change the measures of logical input devices and cause their triggers to fires. (Taken from ISO 7942 and ISO 8805).

output primitive

A fundamental graphical display entity representing a geometric shape.

parallel transformation

The transformation of an object in which parallel lines in the object appear parallel in the resulting image without regard to relative distance or depth. (Taken from ISO 8805).

parameter range

The parameter space over which a parametric curve or surface is defined.

parameter range limits

Minimum and maximum parameter values, specified separately from any knot values, that limit the parameter range over which parametric curves are generated.

parametric output primitive

output primitives defined as a mapping from parameter space to modelling coordinates. Parametric output primitives defined in GPHIGS PLUS are non-uniform B-spline curve, non-uniform B-spline surface data.

parameter space

The coordinate system of the independent variable(s) of parametric curves and surfaces, one dimensional for curves and two-dimensional for surfaces.

parent structure

A structure which contains one or more structure references.

pattern interior style

One possible representation of the interior of fill area set output primitive. The interior is filled in with a two-dimensional pixel pattern selected from the workstation's pattern table.

pattern table

The table of the pattern values defined on a workstation.

perspective transformation

The transformation of an object in which parallel lines in the object which intersect the view plane appear to converge in the resulting image as a function of relative distance or depth. (Taken from ISO 8805).

PHIGS

The programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System.

PHIGS description table

The data which represents the static workstation independent parameters of a PHIGS system.

PHIGS state list

The data which represents the dynamic workstation independent parameters of a PHIGS system.

PHIGS traversal state list

The data which represents the dynamic workstation independent parameters of a PHIGS system during traversal of a structure network. When traversal begins the PHIGS traversal state list values are set to the values defined in the PHIGS description state.

physical input device

Hardware capable of generating input. A physical input device is either part of a display device or a separate part of the workstation.

picking

An operator action of identifying an output primitive using a pick device.

pick device

A logical input device providing a pick path.

pick filter

A filter consisting of two name sets, the pick inclusion set and the pick exclusion set used to identify output primitives which are eligible for selection by a pick input operator.

pick identifier

A name associated with individual output primitives, and returned by a pick device as a component of the pick path.

pick path

The element reference list representing a path to a picked output primitive from its posted structure, consisting of the structure identifier, pick identifier and element position for each level of hierarchy traversed.

polyline

An output primitive consisting of a connected sequence of straight lines between specified points.

polyline set with data

An output primitive consisting of an unconnected set of polylines. The corresponding structure element may include color information that may be used to shade the primitive.

polymarker

An output primitive consisting of a set locations, each indicated by the same type of marker.

positional light

A light source that enters into reflectance calculation dependent on the orientation and position of an area being illuminated relative to the light source.

post

To identify a structure network for display on a particular workstation.

projection reference point (PRP)

A point in view reference coordinate space which determines the direction of projectors when the projection type is PARALLEL, or from which all projectors emanate when the projection type is PERSPECTIVE.

projection type

The type of transformation to be used in view mapping, i.e., parallel transformation or perspective transformation.

projection viewport

A rectangular parallelepiped in normalized projection coordinate space. In the PHIGS view model, the view mapping transformation maps the contents of the view volume into the projection viewport.

projector

A conceptual line which passes through a point of an object and intersects the view plane.

prompt

Output to the operator indicating that a specific logical input device is available.

pseudo color mapping

A color mapping method that uses a weighted average of the color coordinates to produce an index into a table of colors.

pseudo-N color mapping

A color mapping method that uses each coordinate of a color as an index into one of a number of separate list of color components. The combination of these components define the color used for display.

quadrilateral mesh

An output primitive in which an array of quadrilaterals is specified by a two dimensional array of points.

reflectance calculation

The computation of the effect of light sources on a portion of an output primitive.

reflectance model

An aspect that selects the reflectance calculation and thereby specifies what lighting effects may be displayed.

reflectance formulae

Formulae that model the light reflected by an area primitive.

reflectance normal

A vector, conceptually perpendicular to some portion of an area primitive, that indicates the orientation of that portion. It typically influences the reflectance calculation and is derived from vertex normals or other geometry of the output primitive.

reflectance properties

An aspect of area primitives that indicates how a primitive reflects light.

rendering color model

The color model used for performing color interpolation within the rendering pipeline.

rendering pipeline

A sequence of operations that performs data mapping, lighting, shading, depth cueing, and color mapping of output primitives. Each of these operations is considered a stage in the pipeline.

request mode

An operating mode for a logical input device in which PHIGS waits until the operator activates the appropriate trigger where upon the measure is returned.

RGB

An abbreviation for the Red, Green, Blue color model.

sample mode

An operating mode for a logical input device in which the measure of a logical input device may be obtained immediately without waiting for a trigger.

set of fill area set with data

An output primitive in which a number of possibly non-coplanar fill area sets are defined by indices into a single vertex list; The fill area are not required to form a closed or connected surface.

shading

The interpolation portion of the rendering pipeline.

solid interior style

One possible representation of the interior of a fill area or fill area set output primitive. The interior is filled with a uniform color.

specular color

The color of specular highlights on an area primitive.

specular exponent

A non-negative number indicating the shininess of an area. The higher the specular exponent, the shinier the area. A specular exponent of 0 indicates a minimum relative degree of shininess.

specular reflection

An approximation of the unequal reflection of light in different directions from an area primitives. The intensity of specular reflections, unlike diffuse reflections, is dependent on the viewing angle of the observer.

specular reflection coefficient

The fraction of non-ambient light contributing to specular reflection.

spot light

A light source that enters into the reflectance calculation dependent on the orientation and relative position of the area being illuminated. Light from such a source is restricted to a semi-infinite cone of influence and its intensity is possibly modified as its deviates from the centreline of this cone. (See concentration exponent).

spread angle

An angle that determines the shape of the cone of influence of a spot light source. Spread angles is the angle between the spot light source direction vector and the limit of the cone of influence measured at the position of the spot light source.

string

An ordered collection of character codes.

string device

A logical input device providing a string.

stroke device

A logical input device providing a sequence of points in world coordinates, and associated view index.

structure

A linear sequence of structure elements.

structure archiving

The process of storing structures and structure networks in an archive file for subsequent structure retrieval.

structure editing

The modification of structure, including its initial creation

structure element

The fundamental unit of data in the centralized structure store, a sequence of which is collected to form a structure. Structure elements include elements causing the generation of output primitives, attribute selections, labels, application data, NAME SET specifications, transformation selections and structure references.

structure identifier

A unique application specified name used to reference a structure.

structure network

A collection of structures arranged with the topology of an acyclic directed graph, where structures are thought of as nodes and execute structure elements are thought of as connections from the parents structure et the child structure.

structure reference

The invocation of one structure from within another by an execute structure element or the invocation of a structure by posting.

structure retrieval

The process of copying structured from an archive file to the centralized structure store.

structure state list

The data which represents information about each structure in the centralized structure store.

text

An output primitive consisting of a character string drawn at a specified position on a specified text plane.

text alignment

An aspect of text which specifies the mode of justification. This aspect has horizontal and vertical components.

text direction vectors

Two vectors, specified as part of the "text" structure element, which, together with the text position, define the text plane.

text extent

A parallelogram defining the minimum area which completely encloses the character bodies in a string.

text front

An aspect of text which indicates certain visual properties of a character, such as typeface.

text local coordinate system

The local coordinate system for text output primitives within which all geometric text attributes are measured.

text path

An aspect of text which controls the relative positioning of successive characters in a string.

text plane

The plane in which a text output primitive appears.

text position

A point, specified as part of the "text" structure element, which, together with the text direction vectors, determine the text plane. It also determines, together with text alignment, the location of the string.

text precision

An aspect of text which selects the fidelity with the drawing of a text output primitive matches the appearance selected by an application program.

transformation pipeline

The ordered sequence of transformations which convert modelling coordinates to device coordinates.

traversal

The process of stepping through a structure network, elaborating each structure element by generating an output primitive or changing the state list.

traversal state list

See PHIGS traversal state list.

triangle set

An output primitive in which a number of, possibly unrelated, triangular facets are defined by indices into a single vertex list.

triangle strip

An output primitive in which N - 2 triangles are defined by N points.

trigger

A physical input device or set of devices that an operator can use to indicate significant moments in time.

trigger process

A process which notifies an associated logical input device when a trigger is fired. The trigger process only exists when a device is in EVENT, or in REQUEST mode with a request pending.

trimmed surface

A non uniform B-spline surface whose specification contains a set of trimming loops that limit the range of the independent variables over which the surface is evaluated. (See also trimming loop).

trimming curve

A parametric curve in the parameter space of the surface to which it applies. Trimming curves are combined to form trimming loops which limit the parameter range over which a parametric surface is evaluated.

trimming loop

A sequence of connected and similarly oriented trimming curves that form a closed path. Trimming loops are used to limit the parameter range over which a parametric surface is evaluated.

unpost

To remote the identification of a structure for display on a particular workstation.

valuator device

A logical input device providing a real number.

vertex color

A general color associated with each vertex of some types of output primitives. Examples of such output primitives are polyline set with data and fill area set with data. This color may be used within the rendering pipeline to color and shade the primitive.

vertex data

geometric, intrinsic color or vertex normal data specified at vertices of certain output primitives. This data specifies the geometry of an output primitive and, depending on various attribute settings, is used to influence the appearance of a primitive.

vertex normal

A normal vector optionally supplied with the vertex data of some area primitives.

view index

An output primitive attribute that selects the view representation applied to output primitives and geometric attributes during structure traversal.

view mapping matrix

A 4*4 matrix which specifies the transformation of points from view reference coordinates to normalized projection coordinates.

view orientation matrix

A 4*4 matrix which specifies the conversion of points from world coordinates to view reference coordinates.

view plane

A plane parallel to the U.V plane in view reference coordinate space (VRC). It is specified as an N coordinate value in VRC.

view plane normal

A vector in world coordinates, relative to the view reference point, which defines the N coordinate axis of the view reference coordinate system.

view reference coordinate (VRC) system

A device independent three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system in which the parameters for the view mapping transformation are specified. The axes of the view reference coordinate system are called the U.V and N axes. The position and orientation of this coordinate system, relative to world coordinates, are defined by the view reference point, the view plane normal and the view up vector.

view reference point

A point in world coordinates which defines the view reference coordinate system origin.

view representation

A single entry in the view table. it consists of the view orientation matrix, the view mapping matrix, the view clipping limits and a set of clipping indicators.

view table

The table of view representations defined on a workstation. Its entries are reference by the view index attribute.

view transformation input priority

Determines the order in which view table entries are tested when selecting the inverse viewing transformation to be applied to locator and stroke input.

view up vector

A vector defined in world coordinate space. The view reference coordinate system V coordinate axis is defined as an orthogonal projection of the view up vector onto the plane through the view reference point and perpendicular to the view plane normal. Vectors which are parallel to the view up vector in world coordinate space will appear vertical in the final image.

view volume

The view volume is determined by the view window defined in the view plane, the front plane, the back plane, and projectors through the corners of the view window. If the projection type is PERSPECTIVE, the projectors all pass through the projection reference point, the view volume is therefore a frustum. If the projection type is PARALLEL, the projectors are parallel to the vector joining the projection reference point to the centre of the view window, the view volume in this case is a parallelepiped. In two dimensional application programs, the view volume reduces to the view window. (Taken from ISO 8805).

view window

A rectangle in the view plane. Projectors passing through the corners of the view window define the left, right, bottom and top surfaces of the view volume.

visual correct

The display on a workstation is visually correct when it corresponds exactly to the state of centralized structure store and the workstation state list.

with-data primitives

Any of the output primitives : fill area set with data, set of fill area set with data, triangle set with data, triangle strip with data, quadrilateral mesh with data and non-uniform B-spline surface with data. In addition, some generalized drawing primitives may have this classification.

workstation

PHIGS is based on the concept of abstract graphical resources, which provide the logical interface through which the application program controls physical devices. A workstation consists of zero or one display space and zero or more logical input devices.

workstation category

A property of a workstation which indicates whether it can perform graphics input only, graphics output only, or both.

workstation description table

The data which represents capabilities for a particular workstation type.

workstation identifier

A unique application specified name used to identify a particular workstation.

workstation state list

The data which represents dynamic information for a particular workstation.

workstation transformation

A transformation which maps the contents of the workstation window into the workstation viewport, preserving aspect ratio in X and Y, but not necessary in Z.

workstation type

A type or class of actual workstation, sharing common characteristics and a single workstation description table.

workstation viewport

A rectangular parallelepiped in device coordinate space. All graphics output appears within this volume.

workstation window

A rectangular parallelepiped in normalized projection coordinate space. Its contents are mapped by the workstation transformation into the workstation viewport. (Taken from ISO 8805).

world coordinates (WC)

The device independent three-dimensional Cartesian system used by the application program to organize modelled objects for display. The effect of applying the composite modelling transformation to modelling coordinates is to produce world coordinates.

G5G - GPHIGS USER GUIDE


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