A Vector-like Architecture for Raster Graphics

Abstract

Raster graphics, while good at achieving realistic and cost-effective image generation, lacks useful (e.g. high-level) and fast (e.g. almost real-time) interaction facilities. One may try to speed up the entire classical image generation pipeline using much processing power but this would clearly lessen the advantages of raster workstations as popular, relatively inexpensive devices. This paper continues our work in restructuring the functional model (first formulated by Ingrid Carlbom) for high-performance architectures. Central to our approach is a visible concern about the underlying data structures used to represent the geometric objects. This originates from the conviction that only through careful design of appropriate graphics data structures and algorithms one can profitably map software tasks into hardware, specifically VLSI. Here we elaborate on a novel object description scheme called "pattern representation" and its envisioned usage. Our work is decidedly in contrast with several current research efforts in the area of graphics hardware where it is commonplace to simply put several processors into a cooperative effort to share the total burden, with each processor taking responsibility for part of the work.