Computer graphics systems have traditionally been described in terms of a conceptual model of the so-called #x2018;graphics processing pipeline#x2019;. This model explains the relationship between graphics information defined by an application and the realisation of that information on a display in terms of a sequence of transformation stages. Although adequate for giving an outline of a single graphics system, the model lacks flexibility and detail when placed in the sphere of many different graphics systems designs, as in the #x2018;family of graphics systems#x2019; under ISO standardisation at the current time. An alternative approach is needed which provides a sufficient level of detail and flexibility to describe both existing graphics systems and possible extensions to these, which at the same time permits the comparison of graphics systems designs in a well defined framework. The computer graphics reference model presented in this paper meets many of these objectives.
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