Database support for interactive computer graphics

The so-called “User’s Conceptual Model” (UCM) now occupies a place of importance in the design of the user interface of interactive (computer graphics) systems. At the computer side of the interface there has been much excellent research done on (graphical) input tools, culminating in the ideas that now form the basis for the Graphical Kernel System (GKS) Version 7.2 input functions. On the user’s side of the interface there is still much to be done. It is envisaged that models of UCMs will form the basis of an Information/Knowledge/Data Base that is accessed by a “User Interface Management System” (UIMS), an integrated collection of software tools whose function it is to enable the specification, implementation and maintenance of a user-computer interface that is “user-oriented” and (self-)adaptive. The formal specification of such UCMs is a natural prerequisite for that of the user-computer dialogue. A formalism based on Minsky’s frame theory and an extension of the Vienna Development Method (VDM) is outlined in this paper. Taking “user” to mean “application programmer”, I present examples taken from a model of a UCM of GKS Version 7.2. Canonical encodings are presented in Ada 1 and canonical semantics in Anna, a language for annotating Ada programs.

A restrained least-squares (RLS) computer program and two interactive graphics (IG) systems have been used in combination to refine the structure of deer type III hemoglobin. By alternating applications of RLS with examinations and corrections of the atomic model superposed on electron density maps (IG), the residual has been reduced from ~0.42 to ~0.25 and the sites of dubious fit between model and map reduced to ~6% of the residues or ~3% of the atoms. It was possible to fit routinely ~4600 atoms to X-ray intensity data sets ranging from less than 6000 (9.0-4.0 A resolution) to ~21 500 points (6.0-1.98 A resolution) employing RLS, which uses interatomic distances to retain structural integrity. Convergence was rapid and many shifts greater than 1 A were recorded. An in-house graphics display allowed the placement of atoms not in the original atomic model and GRIP, a fast-response interactive graphics system, was used to correct any gross conformational misfit of the atomic model to the electron density maps. The man hours needed to run both GRIP and RLS is less than previously reported real-space methods. The strategy of how RLS and IG can be best applied and how the molecular structure changed during refinement are discussed.

The design of increasingly complex VLSI circuits and multilayer printed circuit boards have increased the demands on computer aided design methods including interactive graphics systems. Earlier minicomputer based systems with direct view storage tube displays lack the processing power and display characteristics that allow high degrees of interactivity and visual discrimination required for high productivity in complex design situations. Declining semiconductor RAM costs and increasing capabilities of microprocessors have allowed raster display technology to keep pace with the demands of current interactive graphics systems.The recently introduced Lexidata Graphics System 8000 combines state of the art color and black and white raster display technology with the latest microprocessor technology to provide a powerful element for the design of interactive graphics systems to meet today's greater needs. The GS8000 includes a very fast Schottky display processor to convert vectors to raster and fill areas and a 16 bit microprocessor to service interactive devices and process a world coordinate data base for editing and display. The system hardware off loads a significant processing and memory burden from the host computer allowing the use of a less powerful host or more users on a single host. An extensive software library resident in the Graphics System 8000 reduces the software development required of the user allowing him to concentrate on the applications software necessary for the creation, maintenance and non-graphic processing of his design data base on his host computer.

We are delighted to present the proceedings of High Performance Graphics 2013. This is the fifth year of the conference, which has become the leading international conference on graphics hardware, systems, and algorithms. The conference brings together researchers, engineers, and architects to discuss the complex interactions of parallel hardware, novel programming models, efficient graphics algorithms, and innovative applications. High Performance Graphics (HPG) was founded in 2009 to synthesize and expand on two important and well-respected conferences in computer graphics: Graphics Hardware, an annual conference focusing on graphics hardware, architecture, and systems since 1986; and Interactive Ray Tracing, an innovative symposium begun in 2006 focusing on the emerging field of interactive ray tracing and global illumination. By combining and expanding these two communities, we bring to authors and attendees the best of both fields and a conference covering a broad range of interactive 3D graphics systems and algorithm research. This year's proceedings continue to reflect this tradition of synthesis. Ray tracing has again emerged as a popular topic, and HPG 2013 includes papers on new algorithms for efficiently constructing and traversing ray tracing acceleration structures as well as complementary papers detailing specialized hardware designs for ray tracing. The conference includes papers on classic graphics hardware topics, such as advanced rasterization and real-time shadowing, as well as increasingly important topics such as interactive voxelization and reconstruction. In all 44 papers were submitted to HPG 2013, of which 15 were accepted for an acceptance rate of about 34%.

In this paper, the integration of an automated process-planning system with an interactive computer graphics system is presented. (The current system is capable of planning hole-making processes.) This paper discusses the graphics system, the generative automated process planning system, their interface and the possibility of interfacing with a larger CAD/CAM system. An example of planning a precision machined part is also presented.

<div class="htmlview paragraph">Interactive graphics is an aid which eliminates the data management problems that arise when manually preparing finite element models. Line and surface data representations of sheet metal automotive stampings are displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT), and these data are then used for building finite element models. Elements are built by creating node points with the light pen or by using automatic mesh generating techniques. By using the interactive capability, the user immediately sees the results of his modeling decisions and can make changes in his model as a result of viewing his work.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The interactive graphics system allows the user to define his elements, load cases, boundary conditions, and freedom sets without worrying about the grid point or element numbers. All information is communicated through the use of either the light pen or the keyboard. As information is supplied about the model, it is stored in a data base for review and possible change. After the structure is complete, the data base is processed and the information is formatted for either of three finite element codes.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">Use of interactive graphics has helped to produce low error data at a rate not possible by manually modeling from blueprint data.</div>

This paper concerns the use of interactive computer graphics for processing “systems analysis” network pictures. These pictures typically represent project scheduling networks, computer programming flow diagrams, job-resource simulation block diagrams, decision trees, flow in networks, etc., and are traditionally the planning tools for researchers and planners in the fields of operations research, industrial engineering, and computer science.The purpose of the interactive graphics system is to provide a convenient “drawing board” with which to generate, manipulate, decompose, partition, simplify, and dlsplay network pictures as means of achieving rapid convergence in man-machine experiments.This research is in connection with the Bio-technology Laboratory of the Department of Industrial Engineering at Stanford University. An ADAGE computer system (AGT/10) with an on-line graphics terminal is being used under the sponsorship of N.I.H. project NLM 00525-1.

Interactive graphics in the analysis of neuronal spike train data

BIOMOD - An interactive computer graphics system for modeling

This paper describes the design and implementation of a state-of-the-art interactive vector graphics system connected to the CRAY-1 supercomputer. The primary design goal for this graphics system is that it support large hydrodynamic computer programs used in weapons design calculations. The interactive use of these programs requires displays consisting of up to 20,000 vectors, extensive interaction tools, and high-bandwidth communication rates. The major system components selected for this project were an Evans and Sutherland Picture System 2 and a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-11/70 and PDP-11/34 running the UNIX operating system.This paper presents the system design goals and performance criteria. The hardware/software systems chosen for this project are reviewed, and the integration of this system into the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory's (LASL) Integrated Computer Network (ICN) is described. This implementation involved most areas of applied computing, including computer graphics, communications, distributed processing, and computer security. The level of effort required for this implementation is described, and the results and benefits are presented. Future plans for this system are also briefly described.

This paper describes the architecture of the micro-programmed processor which is the heart of the Adage GP/400 interactive graphics system, and discusses some of the factors which influenced its design.

Application of CAD Modeling for Information Enhancement in Experimental Flow Pattern Studies

The Optics Project on the Web (WebTOP) is a 3D, interactive computer graphics system that visualizes optical phenomena. Its purpose is to help instructors teach and students learn about waves and optics. Originally, WebTOP was implemented using VRML, Java, and the External Authoring Interface, and required the use of the Microsoft Virtual Machine. This paper provides an introduction to a new version of WebTOP that uses X3D, Java, the Scene Access Interface, and the Sun Virtual Machine. The interface, modules, and implementation of this version are discussed.

Quantification of fish school structure is difficult because of: (1) the large amount of positional data that must be recorded, (2) the fact that schools are moving, and (3) the fact that schools are threedimensional. Computer tools for addressing these problems include x,y digitizing devices interfaced to computers and interactive computer graphics systems. General computer algorithms now exist for 3-D reconstruction of schools given any two 2-D views such as photographs.

Mathematical visualization is the art of creating a tangible experience with abstract mathematical objects and concepts. The advent of high-performance interactive computer graphics systems has opened a new era, its ultimate significance can only be imagined. Computer visualization has become an important tool in several fields of mathematics, helping mathematical understanding and communication. Mathematicians can now use computers to generate pictures that would be tedious or impossible to generate by hand. However, the process of approximating a picture seen on a computer monitor is nontrivial. The paper begins with some general background and then focuses on some of the visualization methods that have been used to bring computer graphics technology to model mathematical problems, from calculus to complex numbers. Examples of computer-generated images are supplied throughout the paper and an overview of selected animations concerned with mathematical visualization is constantly made. Animation can make mathematics more interesting and stimulating. It features a hands-on exploratory and experiential learning tool, making mathematics more dynamic and meaningful. This problem solving through visualization illustrates the processes and behaviours of equations and formulae as they are graphically mapped out.