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From: mg@ (Mike Gigante)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics,comp.sys.sgi,gnu.misc.discuss
Subject: Re: SGI GL compatible Graphics Libraries
Keywords: iris,SGI,GL,graphics libraries,legality,copyright
Message-ID: <mg.669711839@godzilla>
Date: 23 Mar 91 07:03:59 GMT
Article-I.D.: godzilla.mg.669711839
References: <nicholas.669696227@woylie>
Sender: @minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au
Organization: RMIT Computer Centre, Melbourne Australia.
Lines: 34

There is already a GL compatible library (GNU-DIGS) written here by

	Andrew Cassin
	Chris Drewnicki
	Bernard Kirby
	David Hook
	Me

It has a few extensions like HERSHEY vector fonts and device independent
screen coordinates. It is missing Zbuffer, lighting and NURBS etc.
It supports a number of different platforms from PCs etc through to
workstations.

Bernie and David split off and the code diverged away from GL
compatibility - there library is called VOGLE. It is available from
munnari.oz.au

There is a new version of GNU-DIGS ready for a test release now.

I had offered GNU-DIGS to the GNU project, but lost contact over time.
One potential problem with a GL compatible library for GNU is the 
increasing standardization towards PHIGS and X's committment to PEX 

Should anyone (incl. Nicolas) wish to work on GNU-DIGS and re-connect 
the project to GNU, then we'd appreciate the input. The outstanding 
issues at the moment are

1) better X interfaces
2) more diverse PC support
3) TeXinfo documentation (this is mandatory but not yet even started)
4) an alternate 2D pipeline that doesn't penalize 2D applications.

Mike Gigante
mg@godzilla.cgl.rmit.oz.au