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From: Classic_-_Concepts@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: Some Basic Naplps Facts
Message-ID: <15833@cup.portal.com>
Date: 15 Mar 89 03:01:49 GMT
References: <137@oldcolo.UUCP>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 33


  I thought I would add some information to the previous post on basic
NAPLPS facts.  I don't have a technical knowledge of NAPLPS, as I turned my
interests to other formats, but there may be applications where it's viable.
  A few years ago (1985, I think), I coordinated a project in which I taught
artists to use NAPLPS drawing tools and then encouraged them (as if artists
need encouragement) to create graphics for an 'electronic online gallery'.
  Initially the drawing was clumsy and the equipment was running at 1200
baud, but some practise and a series of 'ah hahs' on the part of all involved
resulted in a lot of fine graphics and mini-animations.  The tools may differ
now, but this is what I observed at the time:
   1.  NAPLPS graphics displayed in the same order the elements were drawn.
       Thus, at low baud rates, you actually 'see' how the graphic was
       created.  This is irritating until you realize you can
       capitalize on it by planning the image carefully.  By selectively
       and sequentially drawing and erasing, an animation gradually evolves
       into the final drawing.  Unfortunately, if you made an error, the
       error and its subsequent correction also displayed.  
   2.  The artists involved quickly adapted to the limitations of the
       file display and drawing tools and incorporated the characteristics
   3.  The format uses object priorities, in that a circle drawn over a
       square obscures the square, but if you erase the circle, the full
       square remains, or the circle can be 'pushed' behind the square.
   4.  Drawing with NAPLPS tools at that time was extremely clumsy and
       unintuitive compared to bitmap graphics tools I have since used.
       If they have not improved, then graphics creation is slow, particularly
       with keyboard rather than digitizer (mouse, stylus, etc.) input.
If there are people interested in this format, personally,  
I would prefer drawing with existing drawing packages and then converting
to NAPLPS rather than using a NAPLPS drawing package (unless they've improved)
graphics.  In fact, DXF files probably share some similarities with NAPLPS
and are much easier to create.
                                       LadyHawke@cup.portal.com