Difference between revisions of "Vector graphics"
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'''Vector graphics''' was the technology used in the first generation of [[video display]]s (which all used [[cathode ray tube|CRT]]'s for their [[display]]s). | '''Vector graphics''' was the technology used in the first generation of [[video display]]s (which all used [[cathode ray tube|CRT]]'s for their [[display]]s). | ||
| − | At that time, memory was still quite expensive per [[bit]], so the [[bit-mapped display]] approach was economically infeasible. Instead, the video display used a [[display program]], which was a list of commands to the [[hardware]] of the display (often stored in memory). | + | At that time, [[memory]] was still quite expensive per [[bit]], so the [[bit-mapped display]] approach was economically infeasible. Instead, the video display used a [[display program]], which was a list of commands to the [[hardware]] of the display (often stored in [[main memory]]). |
| − | The commands were to do things like display lines (often called 'strokes'), points, etc, at arbitrary locations (and angles, for the lines) specified by the command(s). The commands might also include attributes; things like dashed lines, bold, etc. The display processor converted the commands to [[voltage]]s sent to the beam controls of the CRT (both location and intensity), to draw the needed strokes/etc. | + | The commands were to do things like display lines (often called 'strokes'), points, etc, at arbitrary locations (and angles, for the lines) specified by the command(s). The commands might also include attributes; things like dashed lines, bold, etc. The [[display processor]] converted the commands to [[voltage]]s sent to the beam controls of the CRT (both location and intensity), to draw the needed strokes/etc. |
Some graphics units included a [[character generator]], so the commands might include text displays. (Although characters could be drawn using display commands, using a character generator saved commands, which might be limited in total number.) | Some graphics units included a [[character generator]], so the commands might include text displays. (Although characters could be drawn using display commands, using a character generator saved commands, which might be limited in total number.) | ||
| − | {{stub}} | + | {{semi-stub}} |
Revision as of 21:26, 21 October 2018
Vector graphics was the technology used in the first generation of video displays (which all used CRT's for their displays).
At that time, memory was still quite expensive per bit, so the bit-mapped display approach was economically infeasible. Instead, the video display used a display program, which was a list of commands to the hardware of the display (often stored in main memory).
The commands were to do things like display lines (often called 'strokes'), points, etc, at arbitrary locations (and angles, for the lines) specified by the command(s). The commands might also include attributes; things like dashed lines, bold, etc. The display processor converted the commands to voltages sent to the beam controls of the CRT (both location and intensity), to draw the needed strokes/etc.
Some graphics units included a character generator, so the commands might include text displays. (Although characters could be drawn using display commands, using a character generator saved commands, which might be limited in total number.)
