crum@lipari.usc.edu (Gary L. Crum) (10/15/88)
In article <QXJeBXy00jaG87illr@andrew.cmu.edu> kr0k+@andrew.cmu.edu (Kenton Arthur Radek) quotes from "FIRST IMPRESSIONS" by Thompson and Baran (from BYTE, nov88? - Did you use a scanner with OCR, Kenton?): > Display PostScript has one major limitation in that it does >not support three-dimensional imaging. It is therefore not >suitable for CAD software. Adobe admits that Display PostScript >is not intended for high-end mechanical design applications. >(Steve Jobs said that NeXT will support the Renderman Standard, >which he called "the PostScript of three-dimensional >graphics.") Here are "RenderMan" references, from the computer literature database part of the USCInfo library information system running under IBMs VM OS. By the way, what is the etymology of "NeXT", capitalization in particular? Document 1 DO 000066192 Author 1 none TI RenderMan standard widely hailed. (Pixar's RenderMan 3-D scene description interface) JN Computer Graphics World DT July YR 1988 VL v11 IS n7 PG p15(1) Abstract 1 Pixar's proposed RenderMan 3-D scene description interface standard has been endorsed by 19 computer graphics companies, many of them arch competitors. RenderMan, a collection of procedures for transferring scene descriptions from modeling programs to rendering programs, offers fast, low-cost photorealism and remarkable quality. Copies of the specifications are available at no charge from Pixar. RenderMan is device- and display-independent and is compatible with standards for 3-D modeling such as PHIGS and PHIGS+. Company Name 1 Pixar - standards Document 2 DO 000062750 Author 1 Nee, Eric TI Pixar shows an interface for imaging. ( RenderMan ) (product announcement) JN Computer Systems News DT June 6 YR 1988 IS n369 PG p21(1) Abstract 1 Pixar Inc introduces RenderMan, a proposed standard for a three-dimensional graphics interface that consists of a set of calls defining the interface between graphics software that models an image and graphics hardware that renders the image. The standard also specifies ways for the modeling software to describe the visual attributes of images, for example texture and reflectivity. RenderMan has already been endorsed by many major vendors and is expected to accelerate the market for computer-generated images that offer photorealism. Support has been pledged by DEC, Sun Microsystems, Apollo Computer, Prime Computer, and Autodesk. The lack of a standard has slowed the growth of the industry. Potential markets for photorealism include architecture, product design, animation, scientific visualization, simulation, and graphic arts. Company Name 1 Pixar Inc. - product introduction Document 3 DO 000061077 Author 1 Forbes, Jim TI RenderMan painting new image. (the RenderMan description language, a graphics-software standard proposed by Pixar) JN PC Week DT May 24 YR 1988 VL v5 IS n21 PG p11(1) Descriptors 1 Computer graphics software - computer programs Abstract 1 The RenderMan description language from Pixar is proposed as a graphics-software standard by the vendor. RenderMan users can produce images that are not distinguishable from photographs. The description language incorporates 94 software routines that comprise the placement, development, visual attributes, and manipulation of geometric figures displayed on a computer screen. RenderMan offers a programming language that has the ability to manipulate the appearance of surface images. The programmable-shading language offers a way to produce, designate, and display the visual attributes of a surface; the language enlarges the quantity of data that is displayed on a monitor. Company Name 1 Pixar - planning Document 4 DO 000061457 Author 1 Wirbel, Loring TI Pixar opens 3-D language. JN Electronic Engineering Times DT May 23 YR 1988 IS n487 PG p8(1) Abstract 1 Pixar Inc plans to catalyze independent graphical rendering efforts with an open system. Standard 3-D images are important and considered a major breakthrough. Standard procedures are needed to define visual attributes such as light reflection to geometric data. RenderMan Version 3.0 has procedure calls that can be incorporated by software developers. The developers need the free license from Pixar, the Pixar copyright notice. Standard images are an important development now that personal graphics workstations from Next Inc are about to be put on the market. Company Name 1 Pixar Inc. - product development