Information technology - Computer graphics and image processing - Graphical Kernel System (GKS) - Part 2: NDC metafile

Technologies de l'information — Infographie et traitement d'image — Système graphique Kernel (GKS) — Partie 2: Métafichier NDC

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
27-Aug-1997
Current Stage
9093 - International Standard confirmed
Start Date
22-Sep-2021
Completion Date
30-Oct-2025

Relations

Effective Date
06-Jun-2022

Overview

ISO/IEC 7942-2:1997 - "Information technology - Computer graphics and image processing - Graphical Kernel System (GKS) - Part 2: NDC metafile" defines a portable file format and encodings for storing and retrieving GKS-94 Normalized Device Coordinate (NDC) pictures. As an extension of the Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) model (ISO/IEC 8632 v4), this part specifies the metafile structure, elements, and multiple encoding forms to ensure interoperable storage of graphical content across architectures and devices.

Key topics

The standard addresses the following technical topics and requirements:

  • Metafile structure: layout of a GKS-94 NDC metafile including BEGIN/END metafile and picture partitions, picture descriptors and picture bodies.
  • Metafile elements: standardized element classes such as delimiter elements, metafile descriptor elements, control elements, graphical primitive elements, attribute elements, and application structure elements.
  • Mapping rules: procedures for mapping NDC picture primitives (polylines, NURBs, conic sections, text, cell arrays, fill areas, design/generalized primitives, etc.) into metafile elements.
  • Encodings: three encoding forms for portability and interchange:
    • Character encoding (opcode/parameter encoding and assignments)
    • Binary encoding (compact representation and primitive data forms)
    • Clear text encoding (human-readable form with formal naming rules)
  • Parameter and data type representations, defaults, and the formal grammar for clear and consistent interpretation.
  • Metafile descriptor content and METAFILE ELEMENT LIST to declare which elements are used.
  • Extension elements and how new or extended CGM elements are handled within the NDC metafile.

Applications and who uses it

Practical uses of ISO/IEC 7942-2 include:

  • Long-term storage and archival of vector graphics and device-independent picture descriptions.
  • Interchange of graphical data between CAD/CAM, GIS, scientific visualization, and printing systems.
  • Implementation of graphics export/import, converters, and metafile viewers that must preserve GKS-94 semantics.
  • Device-independent rendering pipelines where normalized device coordinates (NDC) are required.

Typical users:

  • Graphics software developers and library maintainers implementing GKS or CGM support.
  • Systems integrators and device manufacturers needing standardized metafile input/output.
  • Archivists and technical standards teams responsible for preserving visual data across platforms.

Related standards

  • ISO/IEC 7942-1:1994 - GKS Part 1: Functional description (definitions and GKS behavior referenced by this part).
  • ISO/IEC 8632:1992/Amd.2:1995 - Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) Version 4 (base metafile model extended by this part).
  • Other parts of ISO/IEC 7942 (Part 3: Audit trail; Part 4: Picture part archive) for complementary workflows.

Keywords: ISO/IEC 7942-2, NDC metafile, GKS-94, Computer Graphics Metafile, CGM, metafile format, binary encoding, clear text encoding, graphical primitives, metafile descriptor.

Standard

ISO/IEC 7942-2:1997 - Information technology -- Computer graphics and image processing -- Graphical Kernel System (GKS)

English language
54 pages
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview

Frequently Asked Questions

ISO/IEC 7942-2:1997 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Information technology - Computer graphics and image processing - Graphical Kernel System (GKS) - Part 2: NDC metafile". This standard covers: Information technology - Computer graphics and image processing - Graphical Kernel System (GKS) - Part 2: NDC metafile

Information technology - Computer graphics and image processing - Graphical Kernel System (GKS) - Part 2: NDC metafile

ISO/IEC 7942-2:1997 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 35.140 - Computer graphics. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ISO/IEC 7942-2:1997 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 14880-4:2006. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

You can purchase ISO/IEC 7942-2:1997 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of ISO standards.

Standards Content (Sample)


INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
7942-2
STANDARD
First edition
1997-09-01
Information technology - Computer
graphics and image processing -
Graphical Kernel System (GKS) -
Part 2:
NDC metafile
Technologies de /‘information -
lnfographie et traitement d’image -
Systeme graphique Kernel (GKS) -
Parfie 2: M6tafichier NDC
Reference number
ISOAEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
Contents
V
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
vi
......................................................................................................
Introduction
......................................................................................................................
1 Scope
.............................................................................................
2 Normative references
............................................................................................................
3 Definitions.
.................................................................................................................
4 Concepts
................................................... 4
4.1 The structure of a GKS-94 NDC metafile
........................................................................................
4.2 Metafile elements
.......................................................................................
4.3 Delimiter elements
........................................................................
4.4 Metafile descriptor elements
...............................................................................
4.4.1 Elements used
.................................................................... 5
4.4.2 Functional capability
4.4.3 NDC-SET .
.........................................................................................
4.5 Control elements
.......................................................................
4.6 Graphical primitive elements
.......................................................................................
4.7 Attribute elements
....................................................................
4.8 Application structure elements
.............................................................................................
4.9 Metafile states
................................................................
5 Abstract specification of new elements
..................................................... 11
5.1 Data type definitions and abbreviations
.....................................................................................
5.2 Delimiter elements
......................................................................
5.3 Metafile descriptor elements
.......................................................................................
5.4 Control elements
.....................................................................
5.5 Graphical primitive elements
.....................................................................................
5.6 Attribute elements
.......................................................................................
5.7 Metafile defaults
......................................................
6 Mapping from NDC picture to NDC metafile
6.1 Introduction .
......................................................................................
6.2 Output primitives
..................................................................
6.2.1 SET OF POLYLINE
...........................................................................
6.2.2 SET OF NURB
........................................................ 14
6.2.3 SET OF CONIC SECTION
.........................................................................
6.2.4 POLYMARKER
0 ISO/IEC 1997
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and micro-
film, without permission in writing from the publisher.
l CH- 1211 Geneve 20 l Switzerland
ISO/IEC Copyright Office l Case postale 56
Printed in Switzerland
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
0 ISO/IEC
..................................................................
6.2.5 SET OF FILL AREA
....................................................
6.2.6 SET OF ELLIPTIC SECTOR
.................................................
6.2.7 SET OF ELLIPTIC SEGMENT
...........................................................
6.2.8 SET OF ELLIPTIC DISC
..........................................................
6.2.9 SET OF CLOSED NURB
. . .
6.2.10 TEXT
6.2.11 CELL ARRAY .
6.2.12 DESIGN PRIMITIVE .
............................. 18
6.2.13 GENERALIZED DRAWING PRIMITIVE
... .....................................................................................
6.3 Output attributes
6.3.1 SCISSOR SET .
................... .19
6.3.2 TEXT UP VECTOR and TEXT SKEW ANGLE.
6.3.3 CHARACTER FONT AND PRECISION .
6.3.4 COLOUR SPECIFIER .
.......................................
7 The Character Encoding of the GKS-94 NDC Metafile
..............................................................................
7.1 Notational conventions
.....................................................................
7.2 Method of encoding opcodes
................................................................................
7.2.1 Introduction
...............................................................................
7.2.2 Opcode assignments
................................................................
7.3 Method of encoding parameters
................................................................
7.4 Representation of new elements
................................................................................
7.4.1 Introduction
......................................................................
7.4.2 Delimiter elements
.......................................................
7.4.3 Metafile descriptor elements
.........................................................................
7.4.4 Control elements
......................................................
7.4.5 Graphical primitive elements
.......................................................................
7.4.6 Attribute elements
...................................................
7.4.7 Application structure elements
...........................................
8 The Binary Encoding of the GKS-94 NDC Metafile
8.1 Overall structure . . .
8.2 Primitive data forms .
...............................................
8.3 Representation of abstract parameter types
.................................................................
8.4 Representation of each element
8.4.1 Introduction .
......................................................................
8.4.2 Delimiter elements
.......................................................
8.4.3 Metafile descriptor elements
8.4.4 Control elements .
...................................................... 28
8.4.5 Graphical primitive elements
8.4.6 Attribute elements .
8.4.7 Structure attribute elements .
..................................... 32
9 The Clear Text Encoding of the GKS-94 NDC Metafile
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .*.
9.1 Notational conventions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.2 Encoding parameter types
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.3 Forming names
9.3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.3.2 Words deleted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.3.3 Words used unabbreviated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.3.4 Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
9.3.5 The derived names of new elements
iii
0 ISO/IEC
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
9.4 Encoding the NDC Metafile elements . 33
9.4.1 Introduction . 33
9.4.2 Encoding delimiter elements . 33
....................................... 33
9.4.3 Encoding metafile descriptor elements
......................................................... 33
9.4.4 Encoding control elements
...................................... 33
9.4.5 Encoding graphical primitive elements
9.4.6 Encoding attribute elements .
............................... 34
9.4.7 Encoding of application structure elements
................................................................................................
A Formal grammar.
..............................................................................................
A.1 Introduction
..................................................................................................
A.2 Notation.
.....................................................................................
A.3 Detailed grammar
A.3.1 Metafile structure .
...................................................... 37
A.3.2 Metafile descriptor elements
........................................................ 38
A.3.3 Picture descriptor elements
A.3.4 Control elements .
A.3.5 Graphical elements .
......................................................................
A.3.6 Attribute elements
......................................................................
A.3.7 Terminal symbols
..................................................................................................
B New element list
..............................................................................................
B.l Introduction
....................................................................................
B.2 Delimiter elements
.....................................................................
B.3 Metafile descriptor elements
......................................................................................
B.4 Control elements
....................................................................
B.5 Graphical primitive elements
.....................................................................................
B.6 Attribute elements
iv
@ ISO/IEC
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
Foreword
IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commis-
sion) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization.
National bodies that are members of IS0 or
IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the
respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. IS0 and IEC technical committees
collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non-
governmental, in liaison with IS0 and IEC, also take part in the work.
In the field of information technology, IS0 and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC
JTCl. Draft International Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies
for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies
casting a vote.
International Standard ISO/IEC 7942-2 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTCl, Informa-
tion technology, Subcommittee SC24, Computer graphics and image processing.
ISO/IEC 7942 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information technology - Computer
graphics and image processing - Graphical Kernel System (GKS) :
Part I: Functional description
Part 2: NDC metaBle
Part 3: Audit trail
Part 4: Picture part archive
Annexes A and B form an integral part of this part of ISOLIEC 7942.

0 ISO/IEC
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
Introduction
The NDC metafile provides a file format and encodings suitable for the storage and retrieval of picture infor-
mation. The file format consists of a set of elements that can be used to describe pictures in a way that is com-
patible between systems of different architectures and devices of differing capabilities and design, This part of
ISO/IEC 7942 extends the provisions of ISO/IEC 8632: 1992/Amd.2: 1995.
vi
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD OISOKEC
Information technology - Computer graphics and image processing -
Graphical Kernel System (GKS) - Part 2: NDC metafile
1 Scope
This part of ISO/IEC 7942 provides a file format and encodings for the storage and retrieval of GKS-94 Nor-
malized Device Coordinate (NDC) pictures. It is an extension of the Computer Graphics Metafile, Version 4
defined by ISO/IEC 8632: 1992/Amd.2: 1995 (all parts).

ISO/IEC 7942=2:1997(E) OISOIIEC
2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this
part of ISO/IEC 7942. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to
revision, and parties to agreements based on this part of ISO/IEC 7942 are encouraged to investigate the possi-
bility of applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated below. Members of IEC and IS0 maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
Computer graphics and image processing - Graphical Kernel
ISO/IEC 7942- 1: 1994, Information technology -
System (GKS) - Part 1: Functional description.
ISOAEC 8632: 1992lAmd.2: 1995, Information technology - Computer graphics - Metafile for transfer and
storage of picture description information (all parts).
ISOiIEC ‘7942-2: 1997(E)
0 ISO/IEC
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this part of ISO/IEC 7942, the definitions given in ISO/IEC 7942-l and ISO/IEC 8632-
UAmd.2 apply.
OISO/IEC
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
4 Concepts
4.1 The structure of a GKS-94 NDC metafile
The structure of a GKS-94 NIX Metafile follows the Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) standard (ISO/IEC
8632-l : 1992). It is shown in figure 1. MF is used as an abbreviation for METAFILE.
1 BEGIN NDC MF ( MD 1 . 1 END MF ]
Figure 1: General form of metafile
A Computer Graphics Metafile is a collection of elements from the standardized set. The BEGIN NDC
METAFILE element is followed by the METAFILE DESCRIPTOR (MD). After this the pictures follow, each
logically independent of each other. Finally the Metafile is ended with an END METAFILE element.
Apart from the BEGIN NDC METAFILE, END METAFILE and Metafile Descriptor elements, the metafile is
partitioned into pictures. All pictures are mutually independent. A picture consists of a BEGIN PICTURE ele-
ment, a PICTURE DESCRIPTOR (PD) element, a BEGIN PICTURE BODY element, an arbitrary number of
control, graphical and attribute elements and finally an END PICTURE element (see figure 2). PIC is used as
an abbreviation for PICTURE and BEGIN BODY for BEGIN PICTURE BODY.
BEGIN PIC PD BEGIN BODY . . . END PIC
I
Figure 2: General form of pictures
4.2 Metafile elements
Elements in CGM Version 4 are used for the mapping of NDC picture to NDC metafile wherever possible.
However, some new elements are introduced to provide functionality required by the NDC metafile which can-
not be described within CGM Version 4. The new CGM elements are marked by daggers (f) in the tables in
this section. The scope of some CGM Version 4 elements has been extended. These elements are marked
with a double dagger ($).
4.3 Delimiter elements
The NDC metafile includes the following delimiter elements:
BEGIN NDC METAFILE? BEGIN PICTURE BODY
END METAFILE BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE
BEGIN PICTURE BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
END PICTURE END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
In NDC metafiles, primitives of the same type may be grouped together to form a set of primitives. The primi-
tives to be included in the set of primitives being defined are delimited by application structure elements as
described in 6.2. Application structure elements are also used in the representation of the design primitive (see
6.2.12) and the SCISSOR SET primitive attribute (see 6.3.1).
4.4 Metafile descriptor elements
4.4.1 Elements used
The NDC metafile includes the following metafile descriptor elements:

0 ISO/IEC ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
Concepts Metafile descriptor elements
METAFILE VERSION METAFILE ELEMENT LIST
VDC TYPE MAXIMUM VDC EXTENT
MAXIMUM COLOUR INDEX
The METAFILE ELEMENT LIST lists at least those standardized elements that occur in the metafile.
4.4.2 Functional capability
Following the provisions of ISO/IEC 8632-l : 19921Amd.2: 1995, the contents of the Computer Graphics
These shall contain a list of the non-
Metafile are defined by the METAFILE ELEMENT LIST element.
mandatory elements that are utilized in the metafile. Several shorthand names for CGM elements are also pro-
vided for use with the METAFILE ELEMENT LIST. The NDC metafile set is designated NDC-SET. These
shorthand names shall not be considered macro names, nor shall they be construed to be levels of confor-
mance.
4.4.3 NDC-SET
The NDC-SET includes the elements which can appear in the NDC Metafile. The elements which are not
marked by daggers belong to the CGM Version-4 set. The value ranges of some of the parameters of some
CGM elements have been extended. These elements are marked by double daggers. The elements included in
the NDC-metafile are:
’ ’

f



































f











OISO/IEC
ISO/IEC 7942=2:1997(E)
Concepts
Metafile descriptor elements



?
f
4.5 Control elements
In GKS-94 CLIP INDICATOR and CLIP RECTANGLE elements are the parts of the definition of an output
primitive attribute, scissor set. The new control elements SCISSOR IDENTIFIER and SHIELD INDICATOR
are used to provide the mapping of the GKS-94 SCISSOR SET attribute (see 4.7).
CGM element
GKS elements
CLIP INDICATOR
CLIP INDICATOR
CLIP RECTANGLE
CLIP RECTANGLE
SCISSOR IDENTIFIERf
SHIELD INDICATOR?
4.6 Graphical primitive elements
Graphical primitive elements are those elements that describe the visual components of a picture. Their coordi-
nate arguments, if any, are specified in VDC units.
The mapping of GKS-94 output primitives to CGM elements is shown in the table below. An extension to
CGM was needed to provide this mapping. The new CGM elements are marked by asterisks.
Each GKS-94 output primitive marked by an asterisk (*) is mapped to a set of the corresponding CGM ele-
ments delimited by BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE and END APPLICATION STRUCTURE ele-
ments. The DESIGN primitive is more complicated and its mapping to the CGM elements is described in
clause 6.
The CELL ARRAY primitive is mapped to a set of elements which define the way in which the colour values
used in the following CELL ARRAY element are defined.
GKS elements CGM element
SET OF POLYLINE- POLYLINE
SET OF NURB* NON-UNIFORM RATIONAL B-SPLINE
SET OF CONIC SECTION* CONIC SECTION?
POLYMARKER POLYMARKER
SET OF FILL AREA* POLYGON
SET OF ELLIPTIC SECTOR* CONIC SECTION’
SET OF ELLIPTIC SEGMENT* CONIC SECTIONf
SET OF ELLIPTIC DISC* ELLIPTIC DISC’
NON-UNIFORM RATIONAL B-SPLINE
SET OF CLOSED NURB*
TEXT
TEXT
COLOUR VALUE EXTENT
CELL ARRAY
COLOUR PRECISION
COLOUR MODEL
COLOUR SELECTION MODE
CELL ARRAY
Several elements ’
DESIGN
GENERALIZED DRAWING PRIMITIVE
GENERALIZED DRAWING PRIMITIVE
The CONIC SECTION element specifies a conic section defined by a 3 x 3 matrix (which specifies the conic)
and two points which define the start and end points of the conic section. The last parameter of the conic
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
0 ISO/IEC
Concepts Graphical primitive elements
section definition is a sense flag which indicates whether it is the clockwise or anti-clockwise section that is
required when the conic is closed.
The ELLIPTIC DISC element is defined by a 3 x 3 matrix which defines the ellipse.
4.7 Attribute elements
The mapping of GKS-94 output primitive attributes to CGM elements is shown in the table below. An exten-
sion to ISOIIEC 8632-l : 1992/Amd.2: 1995 was needed to provide this mapping. The new or revised CGM ele-
ments are marked by asterisks. The GKS-94 SCISSOR SET attribute is stored in the NDC Metafile using
several elements as explained in 6.3. I.
CGM elements
GKS attribute
PICK IDENTIFIER
PICK IDENTIFIER
NAMESET?
NAMESET
SCISSOR IDENTIFIER?
SCISSOR SET
CLIP INDICATOR
CLIP RECTANGLE
SHIELD INDICATOR?
GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION’
GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION
LOCAL TRANSFORMATION LOCAL TRANSFORMATION?
PATTERN SIZE
PATTERN SIZE
FILL REFERENCE POINT
PATTERN REFERENCE POINT
CHARACTER HEIGHT
TEXT HEIGHT
CHARACTER ORIENTATION
TEXT UP VECTOR
~ CHARACTER ORIENTATION
TEXT SKEW ANGLE
~ TEXT PATH
TEXT PATH
~ TEXT ALIGNMENT
TEXT ALIGNMENT
CURVE INDEX ~ LINE BUNDLE INDEX
CURVE ASFS ASPECT SOURCE FLAGS’
CURVE TYPE ~ LINE TYPE
CURVEWIDTH SCALE FACTOR LINE WIDTH
CURVE COLOUR SPECIFIER COLOUR SELECTION MODE
COLOUR VALUE EXTENT
COLOUR PRECISION
COLOUR MODEL
LINE COLOUR
MARKER INDEX MARKER BUNDLE INDEX
MARKER ASFS ASPECT SOURCE FLAGS’
MARKER TYPE MARKER TYPE
MARKER SIZE SCALE FACTOR MARKER SIZE
COLOUR SELECTION MODE
MARKER COLOUR SPECIFIER
COLOUR VALUE EXTENT
COLOUR PRECISION
COLOUR MODEL
MARKER COLOUR
FILL BUNDLE INDEX
AREA INDEX
ASPECT SOURCE FLAGS’
AREA ASFS
INTERIOR STYLE
INTERIOR STYLE
HATCH INDEX
INTERIOR STYLE INDEX
OISO/IEC
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
Concepts
Attribute elements
CGM elements
GKS attribute
INTERIOR COLOUR SPECIFIER COLOUR SELECTION MODE
COLOUR VALUE EXTENT
COLOUR PRECISION
COLOUR MODEL
FILL COLOUR
EDGE VISIBILITY
EDGE FLAG
EDGE TYPE
EDGE TYPE
EDGE WIDTH
EDGEWIDTH SCALE FACTOR
COLOUR SELECTION MODE
EDGE COLOUR SPECIFIER
COLOUR VALUE EXTENT
COLOUR PRECISION
COLOUR MODEL
EDGE COLOUR
TEXT BUNDLE INDEX
CHARACTER INDEX
CHARACTER ASFS ASPECT SOURCE FLAGS
CHARACTER FONT AND PRECISION TEXT FONT INDEX
TEXT PRECISION
CHARACTER EXPANSION FACTOR
CHARACTER EXPANSION FACTOR
CHARACTER SPACING CHARACTER SPACING
CHARACTER COLOUR SPECIFIER COLOUR SELECTION MODE
COLOUR VALUE EXTENT
COLOUR PRECISION
COLOUR MODEL
TEXT COLOUR
4.8 Application structure elements
The NDC metafile uses application structure elements in Version 4 CGM to represent ‘set of’ output primi-
The following application structure types are used.
tives, the design output primitive and scissor sets.


















Application structure attributes are used to represent the parameters of design primitives, stencil, contour and
The application structure attribute types used and the composition of their
tiling component attributes.
0 ISO/IEC ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
Concepts
Application structure elements
associated structured data records are listed in the table below.
Attribute
Parameter Type
Stencil origin P
PARAMETERS>
Stencil transformation (2x3)R
Tiling origin P
Tiling transformation
(2x3)R
Inside rule (one of: evenodd, winding)E
ENUMERATED>
ATTRIBUTES> CAPY R
HALFY R
BASEY R
BOTTOMY R
CENTREY R
LEFTX R
RIGHTX R
CENTREX R
CENTRE P
ORIGIN P
CENTRETOP
P
CENTREBOTTOM
P
CENTRELEFT
P
CENTRERIGHT
P
TOPLEFT
P
TOPRIGHT
P
BOTTOMLEFT
P
BOTTOMRIGHT
P
(one of: solid, dashed, dotted,
ATTRIBUTES> dashed-dotted, dashed-dashed-dotted)IX
WIDTH R
CAP (one of: butted, rounded, square)IX
JOIN (one of: round, bevel, mitred)IX
mi tred R
ATTRIBUTES> Replication technique (one of: dx, dy, dxdy, dydx)E
Replication technique x value R
Replication technique y value R
4.9 Metafile states
The table below shows the major metafile states in which the new metafile elements introduced in this Interna-
tional Standard are allowed. This table extends Table 8 in ISOIIEC 8632-l: 1992lAmd.2: 1995. The new ele-
ments are not allowed in any of the CGM minor states.

ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
OISO/IEC
Metafile states
Concepts
NDC Metafile Major States
Element PCS MDS DR GSS, PDS
POS LSS SDS SOS
DSS
BEGIN NDC METAFILE
SCISSOR IDENTIFIER
X
SHIELD INDICATOR
X
CONIC SECTION X
X X X
ELLIPTIC DISC X
X X X
NAMESET X X X
X
GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION X X X
X
LOCAL TRANSFORMATION X X X X
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
0 ISO/IEC
5 Abstract specification of new elements
5.1 Data type definitions and abbreviations
Data type definitions are the same as those used in CGM Version 4.
5.2 Delimiter elements
BEGIN NDC METAFILE
identifier S
This is the first element of an NDC metafile. It demarcates the beginning of the Metafile Descriptor. BEGIN
NDC METAFILE shall occur exactly once in a metafile. The identifier parameter is available for use by
metafile generators and interpreters in a manner that is not further standardized.
5.3 Metafile descriptor elements
COLOUR MODEL
colour model indicator
(IX)
This is a revised CGM element. It may appear in the picture body. The colour model of the metafile is
selected. The following values are defined:
1: RGB
2: CIELAB
3: CIELUV
4: CMYK
5: RGB - related
6: HSV
7: HLS
5.4 Control elements
SCISSOR IDENTIFIER
scissor identifier
m
Scissors are named by scissor identifiers.
SHIELD INDICATOR
(one of: on, off) (E)
shield indicator
When the value of the shield indicator is on/off, shielding of graphical primitive elements is required or is not
required.
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E) OISO/IEC
Abstract specification of new elements
Graphical primitive elements
5.5 Graphical primitive elements
CONIC SECTION
matrix33
(3 x 3) uv
start point
end point
(0
sense flag (one of: clockwise, anti-clockwise) (E)
A conic section is defined by the 3 x 3 matrix, which specifies the conic and two points which define the start
and end points of the conic section. The sense flag parameter indicates whether it is the clockwise or anti-
clockwise section that is required when the conic is closed.
ELLIPTIC DISC
matrix33
(3 x 3) (W
A complete ellipse is generated defined by the 3 x 3 matrix.
5.6 Attribute elements
NAMESET
nameset
ON
This element defines an identification attribute in the form of a set of names
associ ated with an output primi-
tive.
GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION
matrix23
(2 x 3) w
This element defines a transformation which is applied to the geometry of a primitive after the local transfor-
mation. Global transformations are used to apply a transformation to a complete object.
LOCAL TRANSFORMATION
matrix23
(2 x 3) CR)
This element defines a transformation which is applied to the geometry of a primitive to position individual
output primitives.
ASPECT SOURCE FLAGS
list of: pairs of ASF type, ASF value (one of: individual, bundled) n[E,E]
This element is revised - edge visibility ASF has been added. The designated Aspect Source Flags (ASFs) are
set to the values indicated by the parameter. The following ASF types are assigned:
line type ASF character spacing ASF
line width ASF text colour ASF
line colour ASF interior style ASF
marker type ASF fill colour ASF
marker size ASF hatch index ASF
marker colour ASF edge type ASF
text font index ASF edge width ASF
text precision ASF edge colour ASF
character expansion factor ASF edge visibility ASF’
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
0 ISO/IEC
Attribute elements
Abstract specification of new elements
5.7 Metafile defaults
Default values for the new attribute elements are defined as follows.
NAMESET
empty
l.O,O.O,O.O, O,O,l.O,O.O (the identity matrix)
GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION
LOCAL TRANSFORMATION 1 .O,O.O,O.O, O.O,l .O,O.O (the identity matrix)
OISOIIEC
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
6 Mapping from NDC picture to NDC metafile
6.1 Introduction
This clause describes how an NDC picture is represented in an NDC metafile. The NDC picture consists of a
strict sequence of output primitives.
The contents of the NDC picture can be stored and retrieved from metafiles. The function COPY NDC PIC-
TURE TO NDC METAFILE will store the NDC picture The picture can be recovered at a later time and
added to the current NDC picture by invoking COPY NDC METAFILE PICTURE TO NDC PICTURE.
The representation of output primitives and scissor sets makes use of the application structure functionality
provided in Version 4 CGMs. In all cases STATE LIST inheritance is used to determine the graphics primi-
tive context in which the elements are realized.
6.2 Output primitives
6.2.1 SET OF POLYLINE
The SET OF POLYLINE primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a sequence of CGM elements as follows:
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier, NDC SET OF POLYLINE,
STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
POLYLINE (.)
. . .
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE>
A SET OF POLYLINE primitive consisting of a single polyline can be represented by a single POLYLINE
element. The listed elements generate a set of curves each of which is a sequence of connected lines defined
by a point sequence.
6.2.2 SET OF NURB
The SET OF NURB primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a sequence of CGM elements as follows:
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier, NDC SET OF NURB,
STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
NON-UNIFORM RATIONAL B-SPLINE (. .)
. . .
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE>
A SET OF NURB primitive consisting of a single NURB can be represented by a single NON-UNIFORM
RATIONAL B-SPLINE element. The listed elements generate a set of curves defined by the paths each of
which is a non-uniform rational B-spline.
6.2.3 SET OF CONIC SECTION
The SET OF CONIC SECTION primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a sequence of CGM elements as
follows:
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
0 ISO/IEC
Output primitives
Mapping from NDC picture to NDC metafile
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC SET OF CONIC SECTION, STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
CONIC SECTION (. . .)
e e .
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE>
A SET OF CONIC SECTION primitive consisting of a single conic section can be represented by a single
CONIC SECTION element. The listed elements generate a set of curves each of which is an arc of the conic.
6.2.4 POLYMARKER
The POLYMARKER primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a CGM POLYMARKER element. The de-
ment generates a set of symbols of one type centered at given positions.
6.2.5 SET OF FILL AREA
The SET OF FILL AREA primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a sequence of CGM elements as follows:
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier, NDC SET OF FILL AREA,
STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
POLYGON (.)
. . .
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE>
A SET OF FILL AREA primitive consisting of a single fill area can be represented by a single POLYGON
element. The listed elements generate a set of areas each of which is defined by a closed sequence of con-
nected points.
6.2.6 SET OF ELLIPTIC SECTOR
The SET OF ELLIPTIC SECTOR primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a sequence of CGM elements as
follows:
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC SET OF ELLIPTIC SECTOR, STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
CONIC SECTION (. . .)
. . .
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
There is no shortened form for a set of elliptic sector primitive consisting of a single elliptic sector. The listed
elements generate a set of areas. Each area is closed by an elliptic arc and lines from the ends of the arc to the
centre of the ellipse.
6.2.7 SET OF ELLIPTIC SEGMENT
The SET OF ELLIPTIC SEGMENT primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a sequence of CGM elements
as follows:
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC SET OF ELLIPTIC SEGMENT, STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
CONIC SECTION (. . .)
.
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
OISO/IEC
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
Mapping from NDC picture to NDC metafile
Output primitives
There is no shortened form for a SET OF ELLIPTIC SEGMENT primitive consisting of a single elliptic seg-
ment. The listed elements generate a set of areas. Each area is closed by an elliptic arc and a line joining the
ends of the arc.
6.2.8 SET OF ELLIPTIC DISC
The SET OF ELLIPTIC DISC primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a sequence of CGM elements as fol-
lows:
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC SET OF ELLIPTIC DISC, STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
ELLIPTIC DISC (. . .)
. . .
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
A SET OF ELLIPTIC primitive consisting of a single elliptic can be represented by a single ELLIPTIC DISC
element. The listed elements generate a set of areas each defined by a complete ellipse.
6.2.9 SET OF CLOSED NURB
The SET OF CLOSED NURB primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a sequence of CGM elements as fol-
lows:
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC SET OF CLOSED NURB, STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
NON-UNIFORM RATIONAL B-SPLINE (. . .)
. . .
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE>
There is no shortened form for a SET OF CLOSED NURB primitive consisting of a single closed NURB. The
listed elements generate a set of areas each defined by a non-uniform rational B-spline which is closed by the
first point being connected to the last.
6.2.10 TEXT
The TEXT primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a CGM TEXT element. The flag parameter is set to
FINAL. The element generates a sequence of characters specified as a sequence of character codes relative to
a specified text position.
6.2.11 CELL ARRAY
The CELL ARRAY primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a COLOUR SELECTION MODE element fol-
lowed by a CELL ARRAY element. The COLOUR SELECTION MODE element defines whether the CELL
ARRAY element contains an array of colour indices or an array of directly specified colour values. In the
latter case the COLOUR SELECTION MODE element may be optionally preceeded by elements to set the
colour model.
6.2.12 DESIGN PRIMITIVE
A design primitive is defined by a stencil and a tiling. Nested application structures are used to represent the
design primitive and its constituent stencil and tiling. The design primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a
sequence of CGM elements as follows:
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
0 ISO/IEC
Output primitives
Mapping from NDC picture to NDC metafile
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC DESIGN, STATE LIST)
APPLICATION STRUCTURE ATTRIBUTE(NDC DESIGN PARAMETERS,
stencil origin, stencil transformation, tiling origin, tiling transformation)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
stencil
tiling
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
A stencil is defined in terms of a sequence of stencil outlines:
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC STENCIL, STATE LIST)
APPLICATION STRUCTURE ATTRIBUTE(NDC STENCIL ATTRIBUTES, stencil attributes)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
sequence of stencil outlines
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
The stencil attributes are a series of ordinate and coordinate values, as described in 8.7.3 of Part 1 of this
International Standard.
Stencils can be constructed in three ways: from a path contour, from a sequence of boundary definitions and by
concatenation. A stencil constructed from a path contour is defined as the set of areas defined by the contours
surrounding a sequence of paths. A path contour is represented as follows.
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC SET OF PATHS, STATE LIST)
APPLICATION STRUCTURE ATTRIBUTE(NDC INSIDE RULE ENUMERATED, inside rule)
APPLICATION STRUCTURE ATTRIBUTE(NDC CONTOUR ATTRIBUTES, contour attributes)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
sequence of paths
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
Contour attributes are described in 8.7.2 of Part 1 of this International Standard. The sequence of paths is any
sequence of POLYLINE, NON-UNIFORM RATIONAL B-SPLINE and CONIC SECTION elements.
A sequence of boundary definitions is represented as follows.
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC BOUNDARY SEQUENCE, STATE LIST)
APPLICATION STRUCTURE ATTRIBUTE(NDC INSIDE RULE ENUMERATED, inside rule)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
sequence of boundaries
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
A boundary can be defined as a sequence of paths or as an area shape. A boundary is represented by POLY-
LINE, NON-UNIFORM RATIONAL B-SPLINE, CONIC SECTION and ELLIPTIC DISC elements. Boun-
daries are closed regions. If the end point of one path is not equal to the start point of the next, a single line
path is added to link the two points. If the start point of the first path is not equal to the end point of the last
path, then a line is added to link the two points and hence complete the closure of the boundary definition.
A tiling is represented as follows.
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier, NDC TILING, STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
sequence of tiling component descriptions
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E) OISO/IEC
Output primitives Mapping from NDC picture to NDC metafile
A tiling component is represented as follows.
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC TILING COMPONENT, STATE LIST)
APPLICATION STRUCTURE ATTRIBUTE(NDC TILING COMPONENT ATTRIBUTES,
tiling origin, replication technique)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
sequence of tile descriptions
END APPLICATION STRUCTURE
Tiles are represented in a similar way to output primitives in the CURVE, AREA and DESIGN classes. For
primitives in the CURVE and AREA classes, the elements describing the geometry of the primitive are pre-
ceded by elements describing the colour of the primitive. Colour may be specified indirectly or directly. For
CURVE primitives indirect colour specification is described by the elements:
COLOUR SELECTION MODE(INDEXED)
LINE COLOUR(colour index)
Direct colour specification is described by the elements:
COLOUR SELECTION MODE(DIRECT)
COLOUR VALUE EXTENT(colour mapping specifier) - This element is optional
COLOUR PRECISION(colour precision value) - This element is optional
COLOUR MODEL(positive index) - This element is optional
LINE COLOUR(colour direct)
The colour of AREA primitives is described similarly.
6.2.13 GENERALIZED DRAWING PRIMITIVE
The GENERALIZED DRAWING PRIMITIVE (GDP) primitive is stored in the NDC Metafile as a CGM
GENERALIZED DRAWING PRIMITIVE element. GDP primitive provides a means of defining composite
output primitives that can use the attributes of any of the primitive classes.
6.3 Output attributes
6.3.1 SCISSOR SET
Scissoring in NDC picture restricts the appearance of each output primitive either by clipping or shielding.
NDC scissoring is specified by the SCISSOR SET attribute which consists of a set of named scissors. Scissors
are named by scissor identifiers. A scissor consists of a clipping indicator, clipping rectangle set, shielding
indicator and shielding rectangle set. The SCISSOR SET primitive attribute is stored in the NDC Metafile as a
sequence of CGM elements as follows:
ISO/IEC 7942-2: 1997(E)
0 ISO/IEC
Output attributes
Mapping from NDC picture to NDC metafile
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE(application structure identifier,
NDC SCISSOR SET, STATE LIST)
BEGIN APPLICATION STRUCTURE BODY
SCISSOR IDENTIFIER (. . .)
CLIP INDICATOR (. . J
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.

Loading comments...