Rapid line drawing in computer graphics employing floating-point arithmetic

摘要

Three terms (X,Y,"Error") are combined in a single floating- point number in an advanced microprocessor to compute pixel addresses. The floating-point number is reconverted to integer form in multiplexers operating in a mode determined by slope, relative to unity, of the line to be defined by the pixels. The output of the multiplexers is enhanced by a look-up table to produce color data, which are converted to analog form for display. Speed of operation is greatly augmented by the use of floating-point arithmetic to compute the pixel addresses.