Storing pictures for different purposes

There are many arguments put forward as to how packages should store their graphical data for subsequent use and/or transfer to another system or package. These discussions are not unique, but are particularly important, to CAE applications. This paper looks at the different requirements for the storage of pictures. It suggests that the arguments put forward are not as emotive as are often suggested. There are different solutions for different requirements. There is a need for various methods of storage in a CAE package. The important thing from a designer's point of view is to ensure that the correct storage method is adopted for a particular need. The discussions presented here build on the papers in the special issue of Computer-Aided Design that considered graphics standards. The papers of particular interest are those by Arnold, Owen and Bloor and Mumford.