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A system has been developed which represents an effective unified framework for interactive layout and page generation of pictures and linework for applications in the graphic arts. The functional structure and logical organization of this system are based upon the segment display processor (SDP) architecture which offers a generalized approach to the manipulation of multisegment multiformat data. Interactive layout is accomplished with the aid of a graphics digitizing tablet and proof TV display. Subsequent input scanning, sizing, enhancement, and merge operations are fully automatic. The system handles arbitrary shaped regions, type-on-tone, and optimally codes areas of continuous tone and line art copy individually. The PAGES system described in this paper is centered around a software emulation of the SDP supporting continuous tone imagery and scanned type. Most of the effort devoted to this development will be directly applicable to an SDP-based system implemented with the aid of special purpose high-speed hardware in the future.