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From: gr47@sdcc12.ucsd.EDU (gr47)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: General questions on GKS, interactive graphics for VAX/VMS
Message-ID: <846@sdcc12.ucsd.EDU>
Date: Fri, 6-Nov-87 17:52:08 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc12.846
Posted: Fri Nov  6 17:52:08 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 9-Nov-87 04:21:50 EST
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 40
Keywords: GKS graphics VAX VMS interactive


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I have not been following this newsgroup so please bear with me...

My research group has been using the National Center for Atmospheric
Research (NCAR) graphics package for contouring, mapping and
xy-plotting for several years now.  NCAR recently started
distribution of a new package that conforms to GKS level 0A
standards.  NCAR recommends buying a higher level GKS package to
take care of the low-level graphics tasks.  
   
Where can I find out what the different levels of GKS correspond to
in practical terms?  I am particularly interested in a package
written at U. Lowell, MA that conforms to level 2A.  Can someone give
me a quick rundown on 2A and/or some refs to GKS level descriptions? 
I have looked at 'Introduction to the Graphical Kernel System G.K.S'
by Hopgood et al., 1983, but it doesn't say anything about the
different levels -- does the 1986 ed.?

What really got me going on this is a need for more interactive
plotting in our group  -  to move an x-axis label in our present
system takes modifs to a Fortran program, recompilation,
re-executing...  Can anyone recommend a graphics package that
has more of the interactive 'Macintosh Cricket-graph' type
functionality (geez, *any* interactivity) for use with VAX/VMS?
Is everyone using SAS and SPSS??
We are a university-connected geochemical research group so cost can
not be too high, but I'll listen to any suggestions.

Thanks for any help.

Steve Piper
scripps inst. of oceanography a-020
la jolla, ca 92093

gr47%sdcc12@SDCSVAX.ARPA    (ARPA/Usenet)
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