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The Raster Memory Systems (RMS) from Motorola is a chip set that produces text and graphical information for computer-aided design, word processing, education, and entertainment. Comprising the MC68486 Interface and the MC 68487 Controller, the set can operate with the M6809E, M68008, and M68000 microprocessors. Highly programmable, the chip set also features the ability to be combined with other video sources to create even more complex images, compatibility with a variety of computers, and two user selectable operating modes, bit-plane and list.

The move into bit-mapped graphics came about after the introduction of the 7220 Graphics Display Controller (GDC) in 1981. Devices such as the TMS9918 from Texas Instruments are expected to replace these less sophisticated devices. Features that the TMS device offers include 256x192 pixel resolution, 15 color display, animation, and 3-D simulation. Other companies, such as Lexidata and Jupiter, have gone to custom ICs with their 8100 color graphics terminal and their Graphics Engine respectively.

A software package, Game Animation Package by Synergistic Software, is reviewed. Selling for $49.95, it is a two part package available for use with Apple Computers. The two parts are Micro Sketcher, a menu driven graphics utility for color pictures and Fast Draw, a four part graphics utility for creating bit- mapped shape tables.

Custom character graphics can provide smoother animation, but may prove difficult to program. Character graphics and bit-mapped graphics are discussed, with advantages and disadvantages of each. Instructions are given on how Atari characters are formed and how to develop custom characters. Graphs are included to show resolution, memory needed and colors available for Atari graphics. A custom character example is shown. Full program listings are included.

Fragmenting code allows the user to pack more information into a byte, reducing storage needs. It also allows the rearranging of objects on the screen without disturbing the background display. This is useful in machines with less sophisticated graphics capabilities. A program listing is given for the Atari 400-800.

Through bit-mapping you can use the VIC to create exciting, high resolution graphics. Bit-mapping techniques control each dot on the screen. The finest, sharpest graphics result when each point of light is controlled. Included is a BASIC demo program along with a game, 'Lines'. Definitions of cardioids, cartesian coordinates, polling, low byte, and high byte are included.

Commodore 64 computers can have screen resolutions of up to 320 by 200 individually addressable pixels. There is not enough RAM to assign one byte per pixel, so one bit is assigned per pixel in a selected area of memory. The user should have an understanding of the binary number system and logical operators to manipulate these bits. This technique is called bit mapping. A graphics program listing is included to illustrate bit mapping on the 64.

A tutorial is presented to explain how to vary the screen size of the VIC-20 computer. Screen character codes and screen memory maps are listed in tables. Two graphics programs illustrate screen size applications and bit-mapping of the screen.

IBM Chooses GEM Windowing Products for PC MONTEREY, CA--IBM will sell Digital Research Inc.'s GEM applications through the IBM North-Central and South-West marketing divisions, the two firms have announced. The […]

BOSTON--IBM is seeking to acquire windowing technology from a little-known firm that can bring bit-mapped graphics to TopView, sources close to IBM reported last week. The windowing product under IBM […]

I'm not a fan of computer trade shows. Nor, for that matter, those of any technology-based industry. Go to too many and you start developing the attention span of a […]

PACIFIC GROVE, CA--The use of Digital Research Inc.'s Graphic Environment Manager (GEM) software on Atari's new ST series computers enlarges GEM's potential installed base and thus boosts its attractiveness for […]

One criticism of computer training is that it can be 'boring.' To avoid having the 'boring' label attached to your computer-based or instructor-led training, add the spice of graphics. How? […]

Getting the Picture Desktop publishing has its ups and downs. On the one hand, you can get magnificent results, even on low-end laser printers. But one the other, mysterious problems […]

Until It Overcomes Heavy Memory Requirement, Though, Spreads h eet May Find Its Market Limited Early versions of Microsoft Corp.'s forthcoming Excel spreadsheet for the PC feature bit-mapped graphics and […]

Startup high-tech firm SunRiver Corp. will announce this week a unique product that lets multiuser '386 systems support graphics applications on remote terminals connected to the host by fiber-optic cables. […]

By Beth Freedman Buzzwords International Inc. is aiming to jazz up the character-based world of dBASE with graphics in its new Mach-4 utility. Mach-4 provides a host of language extensions […]

The article offers the printing-related views of consultant Dennis Mason as of 2013. Topics discussed include the minimal similarity of the technology of 3D printing, which releases molten plastic, with putting ink on paper, and the non-assurance for designers that the Adobe special effects plug-ins that they use will still work under Adobe's Creative Cloud scheme. Also mentioned is the need for raster image processors (RIPs) to have connectivity with other machines.

The article features the LightWave Core, a lightweight component system from NewTek. It notes that the system will be released by the company in increments while the modules are made available to consumers in 2009. It adds that object-oriented structures implemented in the C++ computer program language serves as the foundation of the system. Other features of the system are cited which include being multi-threaded and both 64- and 32-bit compliant.