Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!torsqnt!lsuc!canrem![marcin.komorowski@canrem.uucp] From: "marcin komorowski" Newsgroups: comp.graphics Subject: computer graphics met Message-ID: <1991Jun19.986.7024@canrem.uucp> Date: 19 Jun 91 17:04:40 EST Reply-To: "marcin komorowski" Distribution: comp Organization: Canada Remote Systems TO: GLEN FORD Original subject: Computer Graphics Metafile Hellow Glenn You recently wrote in this conference: GF>Original subject: computer Graphics Metafile GF>I have recently been asked by my boss to do some research on GF>CGM format images. What I would like to know is what kind of GF>low level graphics libraries there are for DOS/UNIX/OS2? GF>I need to be able to, obviously, display CGM format images, as GF>well as any nifty things, like pan and zoom, rotation ,etc.. GF>Is there ANY library out there that does any of the above? GF>I am interested in commercial, or public domain. GF>I am totally new to CGM, so any research material available GF>would be greatly appreciated.. Basically CGM files are what's called "vector oriented" files, just like PIC format. It is different from PCX, TIF, TIFF and other so called "bit mapped files." The latter can basically be thought of as if you would put a dense grid on an picture and assign each small section of the grid, popularly called pixel, a specific colour, this way storing a approximate immage of the immage as a series of numbers representing the colours of the pixels in sequence. Vector oriented files are very superior and completly different from bit mapped files. The immage is stored as a series of "objects" with specifications of their type, location, and relative dimentions attached to them. The information relating the object's location is specified as a vector coordinates, and that's the reason for the name "vector oriented." The reason for the superiority of this type of graphic files is that the resolution is never lost no matter hom much one zooms into the immage and they are very easy to rotate, scale and manipulate. This is how much I know. I myself am on a serch for the same things you are looking for, but I was not very succesfull till now. I've been looking for libraries for over a month and the only thing I found so far is a company that sells specification for all kinds of computer stuff. The company's name is Global Engineering. The phone number to their sales office is (212) 642-4900 or toll free 1-800-454-7179. I called them and they do have the specification for CGM files. If you are willing to write your own program for handling these files they can sell the specs to enyone for $90. The CGM spec's number is ANSI X3.122-1986. Having this number with you when you order makes the transaction much easier, because they have thousands of specs there and it takes time to find the one you are looking for. I did not buy the specs, because unfortunatelly I don't have the money at the time, but I hope this helps you. I'm going to continue my reserarch, and I'll let you know if I'll find something. I woul appreciate if you could tell me if you'll find something. Oh ya! If you wnat to display or print CGM files Word Perfect v5.1 and I believe also v5.0 can do it for you. I am not sure but I think that Borland's Quattro Pro v3.0 (great spreadsheet package) can read and print those files as well. It also has a very powerful annotating facility for it's graphs, and you can actually design vector oriented graphics using it and then save it as a CGM file. Well, that's all I know. I hope I could be of help to you. I'll be glad to hear if you find out anything more. Marcin Komorowski, CRS, Ajax, Ontario, Canada --- þ DeLuxeý 1.12 #8081 þ SMILE - it does not hurt, but it can save the day! -- Canada Remote Systems. Toronto, Ontario NorthAmeriNet Host