| Abstract: | We describe the architecture of BIN, a discrete solid modeler, placing special emphasis on the structure of the viewing subsystem. In contrast to most quadtree and octree systems BIN operates directly on a compact linear bitstring representation of images residing in external storage. Anticipating a pipelined hardware implementation, the system is based on connecting distinct programs to each other through Unix pipes. The system is dimension independent in the sense that a single program operates on both 2D and 3D (and kD) models, where applicable. We present a discussion of the structure and the interchangeable components of an octree viewing pipeline, together with an overview of the methods used in the BIN system, several of which are novel. |
