UCLA - Computer Science Graphics Overview
Snapshot of 1971 graphics hardware and software at UCLA.
Postel, J. and V.G. Cerf, "UCLA - Computer Science Graphics Overview", RFC 174, DOI 10.17487/RFC0174, June 1971, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc174>.
@misc{rfc174,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 174,
howpublished = {RFC 174},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0174},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc174},
author = {J. Postel and V.G. Cerf},
title = {{UCLA - Computer Science Graphics Overview}},
pagetotal = 3,
year = 1971,
month = jun,
} RFC text
Contents
NWG J. Postel, V. Cerf
RFC # 174 UCLA-NMC
NIC # 6799 Computer Science
Categories: D.6,I.1 8 June 71
References: 134
Obsoletes: none
UCLA-Computer Science Graphics Overview
I. Hardware
A. Imlac PDS-1
We have 2 PDS-1 graphics consoles each with 8K 16 bit words
of memory.
The display screens are mounted with the long axis vertical.
B. DEC 340
We have a DEC 340 Display Station with a light pen. Associ-
ated with the station are a Rand Tablet and a Lincoln Wand.
There is a display processor which drives the DEC 340 which
reads its instruction from the XDS Sigma 7 memory via dedi-
cated memory port.
II. Software
A. Imlacs
We have not as yet developed any software for the PDS-1.
We have used the Imlac provided text and graphics support
software to utilize the PDS-1's as alphameric and limited
graphics consoles (at 1200 baud).
These are used only with the SEX timesharing system.
B. DEC 340
We have over several years developed a package of Library
routines* which interface to FORTRAN programs for use with
the DEC 340 and its associated devices. This station is
used only with a stand alone system (RAD 75).
Several programs have been implemented using these facilities
among them are:
*SMOG (sub-program manager for On-Line Graphics).
NWG J. Postel, V. Cerf
RFC # 174 UCLA-NMC
NIC # 6799 Computer Science
8 June 71
1. MOSAIC
MOSAIC is an experimental computer graphics program
which permits a user to manipulate the parameters of
a fairly complex polar co-ordinate equation. The ob-
ject is to explore the space of interesting images
which can be produced. Library facilities are provid-
ed so that the user can save interesting images. He
can also combine the images in many ways to form mo-
saic-like patterns. An Arriflex 16mm camera can be
driven through the use of this program, and we have
used the system to generate several films which serv-
ed as a basis for video-graphics experiments (TV video-
tape).
2. FISHEYE
Using the interactive part of MOSAIC, and a peculiar,
exponential mapping function, studies were made in the
presentation of CRT images too large to fit in normal
form on our 10" scope. The images are mapped in such
a way that part of the image is shown at linear scale,
the remainder being squeezed up at the outer edges of
the screen. Thus, the global image is always visible,
but details are apparent mainly in the linear region.
This study formed the basis of an M.S. thesis.
3. MOVIE
This is a movie script language which allows the user
to compose a scenario describing the entrance and exit
of images on the CRT. Mosaics can be created. Images
can fade-in, fade-out, dissolve, expand, zoom, contract,
Dramatis personae (in the form of MOSAIC images) can
be defined and their movements described. The program
computes the movements of all images for the duration
of the film and then calls on the MOSAIC generating
routines to make the film. Camera control is automa-
tic.
NWG J. Postel, V. Cerf
RFC # 174 UCLA-NMC
NIC # 6799 Computer Science
8 June 71
III. Intentions
A. Imlacs
We intend to equip our PDS-1's with the mouse and keyset
configuration used at SRI-ARC. We intend to attempt to
make use of PDS-1 programs developed at other sites. We
intend to develop an assembler for PDS-1 programs. We are
thinking about a subroutine Library for PDS-1 graphics for
FORTRAN (or other higher level languages).
B. DEC 340
We intend eventually to bring the DEC 340 hardware and soft-
ware facilities into the SEX system.
[ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
[ into the online RFC archives by Ignacio Goyret 6/97 ]
AI ELI5
On this page
§1UCLA's Graphics Setup
RFC 174 describes the computer graphics hardware and software available in the UCLA Computer Science Department in 1971. The document was submitted for the network graphics meeting mentioned in RFC 134, so other sites could see what equipment UCLA could contribute to collaborative graphics research.
UCLA had two main graphics systems: the Imlac PDS-1 graphics consoles and the DEC 340 Display Station with associated devices.
UCLA wanted to tell the network what screens and drawing tools they had, so other sites would know what they could work with.
§2Graphics Hardware
The Imlac PDS-1 was the primary graphics console at UCLA. The department had two units, each with 8K 16-bit words of memory. The display screens were mounted with the long axis vertical for optimal graphics work.
The DEC 340 Display Station complemented the Imlac systems. It came equipped with a light pen for interactive pointing, a Rand Tablet for input, and a Lincoln Wand for three-dimensional positioning. A dedicated display processor drove the DEC 340, reading instructions from an XDS Sigma 7 computer memory via a dedicated memory port.
They had two types of drawing machines: screens with about 8,000 words of memory each, and a more advanced display screen with a pen you could point at pictures with.
§3Software and Applications
The Imlac PDS-1 systems used the Imlac-provided text and graphics support software to function as alphanumeric and graphics consoles at 1200 baud. These systems were used only with the SEX timesharing system at UCLA.
For the DEC 340, UCLA had developed a comprehensive library of routines called SMOG (Sub-program Manager for On-Line Graphics) that interfaced with FORTRAN programs. Using these facilities, UCLA had implemented several graphics applications: MOSAIC, an experimental program for manipulating polar coordinate equations to explore interesting images; FISHEYE, which demonstrated novel image mapping techniques to show large images on small screens; and MOVIE, a scenario language for composing animated sequences, with automatic camera control.
UCLA had written programs like MOSAIC to draw patterns, FISHEYE to show big pictures on small screens, and MOVIE to make animations. These ran on their special graphics machines.