Spacegraph, A True 3-D Pc Peripheral

Lawrence D Sher

doi:10.1117/12.944731

8 June 1988 Spacegraph, A True 3-D Pc Peripheral

Lawrence D Sher

Proceedings Volume 0902, Three-Dimensional Imaging and Remote Sensing Imaging; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.944731
Event: 1988 Los Angeles Symposium: O-E/LASE '88, 1988, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The SpaceGraph technology has been packaged as a table-top display station that is a peripheral device for an IBM PC/AT or compatible. It produces 3-D graphics by oscillating the virtual image of a CRT through space while synchronously writing on the screen. In the resulting display volume, one sees a self-luminous, high-contrast, sharp, model-like figure composed of points, lines, and alphanumerics. Optical means include a varifocal plate mirror and a specially designed, large-screen, directed-beam monitor. Electronic means include a controller on a card for an IBM PC/AT or compatible. Software running in the PC allows one to describe a 3-d picture in high-level terms. The controller card can display two pictures at once, and each is double-buffered. A run-time-writable brightness-lookup table takes advantage of 8-bit brightness tags on all 32k displayable points. The software interface is command-driven and includes general and command-specific help. It is capable of getting commands either from files, from the keyboard, or from a combination. Commands take intuitive forms, such as line (3,4,5) (1,2,6) or text (2,4,3) "abc" and locations in space may be given names for convenience of future reference. Additional features are autoscaling, a cursor, and saved display lists. Existing application software can most easily interface to SpaceGraph by writing out files of such commands. An example is the supplied interface to BBN's proprietary software product, RS/1.

Citation Download Citation

Lawrence D Sher "Spacegraph, A True 3-D Pc Peripheral", Proc. SPIE 0902, Three-Dimensional Imaging and Remote Sensing Imaging, (8 June 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.944731

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available