The BIG system - synergetic graphics

Abstract

The recent decrease in the cost of graphics hardware has created an expanded potential opportunity for the use of graphic techniques. However, this potential is reduced by a lack of agreement on the software interface for this graphics environment. In almost every forum that discusses graphical techniques, new systems are introduced that are syntactically unique, but semantically very similar2,8,16. One of the major reasons for this proliferation of graphic systems is the large number of possible tradeoffs that exist between the performance parameters of these devices. Each graphics system can be optimized for a limited number of these parameters by adjusting a feature of the system design until the best results are obtained. Where more than one design feature affects a particular performance parameter, the system designer usually selects a single feature for adjustment and restricts the user's ability to modify any others. The users discover that they cannot adequately adjust that graphics system for their particular problem, leading to the creation of yet another graphics system. An evaluation of the techniques that have been used to provide this design factor optimization reveal that applying these techniques in combination provides a greater degree of user control over the graphics environment. This synergetic behavior leads to benefits that can be derived from a graphics system that allows the user a greater variety of implementation options. This flexibility will also allow the user to somewhat compensate for the present lack of a graphics standard. A system that utilizes this methodology is described and examples of its application are shown.