[comp.graphics] Reference Model on Graphics Systems

gnatz@lan.informatik.tu-muenchen.dbp.de (Rupert Gnatz) (10/14/88)

Today everybody is discussing Reference Models. This seems to be a 
consequence of the well-known OSI Reference Model.
Is there anybody being able to give me a Reference Model on
GRAPHICS SYSTEMS? 

The question is what a reference model for computer graphics system
should look like. The question is not what it would be useful for.

People tend to answer the latter question first. Then, having grown
to understand, that this is not the problem they sit down, take a
piece of paper and start to draw a collection of boxes linking them
by some lines. Then they feel happy and say: "That's it!"

Do you, too, think that this is the right way to describe the principal
features of Graphics Systems like GKS, PHIGS, CGI and so on? Do 
have any idea how to proceed? Any reference is wellcome. 

I am interested to get any information on research being done in this
area. What is the basic approach? Is there a theoretical foundation?
What descriptive tools are used? 

It should be mentioned that ISO/IEC JTC1/SC24/WG1 attempts to 
standardize a Reference Model on Computer Graphics Systems. This
activity is known to me.

Dr. Rupert Gnatz