andrews@godot.psc.edu (Phil Andrews) (04/20/89)
There have been numerous posts lately asking about about interpreters for either TeX produced DVI files or CGM (Computer Graphics Metafiles) to drive various output devices. One post, Message-ID: <17590@cisunx.UUCP>, suggested a hacked-up version of GTEX for processing DVI files. I am the author of GTEX, but the version specified is an old VMS-only system with a rather klugey device interface that I had hoped was dead. Presently I have written and am supporting a new GTEX (I should probably have changed the name)-GPLOT system which I would much prefer people to use (and get from me !). GTEX is a DVI processor that uses .PK packed format font files, downloading or caching expanded character descriptions as necessary. GPLOT is a CGM interpreter that will read binary or clear text CGM files. Both programs share a common device driver interface. Present output devices/functional interfaces are: X windows (X11), PostScript, UIS, CGI (SUN), QUIC (QMS), Tektronix (various flavours), Peritek frame buffer, GKS, CGM binary and CGM clear text. They can also talk to a Diaquest VTR controller and are used locally for making animations. GPLOT/GTEX is an integrated system and any CGM file can be inserted in a TeX file at output time via a \special command for most supported output devices. GPLOT processes all of the graphics produced at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (we have standardised on CGM files), note that since CGM Binary and Clear Text both appear as output devices GPLOT can convert from either format to the other and can serve as the library for the creation of CGM files of either type. The system is completely in C and runs under VMS, UNIX, ULTRIX and UNICOS. There are many VMS specifics but they are hidden behind #ifdef's. We freely distribute it to our users at remote sites (over 95% of our usage is remote) and encourage them to ftp/decnet their CGM files home and view them via GPLOT in a more interactive environment. The intent is to make GPLOT capable of displaying any legal CGM file, but it is hard to debug code without appropriate CGM files and as yet there is no official test suite. If anyone does have a CGM file that it fails on I would be interested to get a copy. It does quite well on CGM files produced by NCAR Graphics (it understands NCAR's record format), DISSPLA or DI-3000. We are looking to add several output devices soon. GPLOT and GTEX are available via anonymous FTP, but they ARE copyrighted and I request that anyone interested send me mail so that I can keep track of who has it for update information. About 20 sites are already on my list and need not send me further mail. I DO request that no-one do any hacking and redistribution so that I end up getting bug reports on some hybrid. Also you can't sell it or include it in a package for sale. In other words I am asserting the copyright in order to avoid future problems (I think that means something legally). I hope to have release 4.0 out before next month's DoE Graphics Forum (May 8), and would request that no-one grab it until 4.0 is finished, I will add any mail sent to me to my update list and you will get instructions on how to get it as soon as it is ready. Depending on your mailer you could try andrews@b.psc.edu, andrews%cpwscb@clipr.psc.edu, andrews@godot.psc.edu or andrews@cpwpsca on bitnet. -Phil Andrews -- andrews@b.psc.edu, andrews@cpwpsca.bitnet