Overview
ISO/IEC 9593-3:1990/Amd 1:1994 amends the Ada language binding of the PHIGS (Programmer’s Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System) family to incorporate PHIGS PLUS (Part 4). This amendment updates the Ada binding to support advanced surface and lighting features (lighting, shading and related surface properties) defined in PHIGS PLUS, and adds tables, function definitions and example programs to the existing PHIGS Ada specification.
Key Topics
- Scope and Conformance
- Extends the Ada binding so implementations that support PHIGS PLUS must implement the binding elements in clauses 4, 5, 6 and 7.
- A PHIGS Ada application should run unchanged under a PHIGS PLUS Ada binding implementation.
- Ada language binding updates
- Adds clauses 6 (Tables for PHIGS PLUS) and 7 (Functions in the Ada binding of PHIGS PLUS), plus new annex material and a new index (Annex E).
- Revises tables for data type definitions, configuration values, and error codes to include PHIGS PLUS items.
- Introduces Ada-specific packages and utilities (e.g., updates to the PHIGS generic coordinate system package and a PHIGS PLUS generic colour package).
- Function groups
- Lists of control, output primitive, attribute specification, transformation/clipping, structure manipulation/display/archive, input, metafile, inquiry, error control, and additional helper functions are extended to cover PHIGS PLUS functionality.
- Examples and implementation guidance
- Adds example programs (C.6: DODECAHEDRON and C.7: TRIMMED SURFACE) illustrating PHIGS PLUS features in Ada.
- Guidance on error handling, data mapping, multi-tasking and packaging remains relevant for Ada implementations.
Applications
- Who uses it
- Ada software engineers and library implementers creating or maintaining PHIGS/PHIGS PLUS bindings.
- Vendors and integrators of CAD, scientific visualization, and industrial graphics systems that require standardized Ada interfaces for 2D/3D rendering with lighting and shading.
- Organizations maintaining legacy PHIGS Ada applications wanting compatibility with PHIGS PLUS features.
- Practical value
- Enables standardized 3D rendering, surface shading, reflectance modeling, colour mapping and advanced visual effects in Ada-based graphics applications.
- Ensures portability and conformance of Ada graphics code across PHIGS and PHIGS PLUS implementations.
Related Standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC 9593-3:1990/Amd 1:1994, PHIGS, PHIGS PLUS, Ada binding, computer graphics standard, 3D rendering, lighting and shading, graphics API for Ada.