The evolution of standards for computer graphics

Although work towards international standards for computer graphics was started in 1976, it is in the last 2 years that real agreement and progress have been achieved. The first target, the functional specification of a graphics system, is satisfied by the graphical kernel system (GKS), which is now being processed as an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) draft international standard. GKS provides a reference model for two-dimensional graphics and an agreed vocabulary of terms covering the field. Many implementations of GKS as a package are now being produced. In addition to such a functional specification, two forms of communication are appropriate for graphics: a metafile and a virtual device interface. ISO is now reviewing a proposal for a metafile standard developed by the American National Standards Institute and closely related to GKS. Standards for a graphics virtual device interface and for three-dimensional graphics systems are also being actively developed. All these efforts and their interrelationships are described and examined.