The design and implementation of the GINO 3D graphics software package

The design and implementation of a general purpose graphics software package (GINO) is described. GINO provides facilities for 3D graphics (co‐ordinate transformation, clipping, intensity modulation) but is organized so that 2D facilities form a clean subset. It is device independent, permitting use of refresh CRT displays, storage tube displays and plotters. A characteristic feature is the use of small satellite computers attached to a large multiaccess computer (ATLAS 2) GINO takes the form of a subroutine library accessible from FORTRAN and other languages, and the case for this level of graphics software is argued. The reasons for not using a mandatory graphical data structure are also discussed. GINO is not biased towards any particular style of interaction, but two techniques are described; one based on the light pen and the other on teletype command languages Efficiency of implementation is achieved without loss of flexibility by use of a systems programming language (SAL).