A device-independent graphics package for CAD applications

GSSP (Graphics Support Subroutine Package) is a device-independent two-dimensional graphics package developed by Engineering Design Systems (EDS) to support several major electronic and mechanical computer-aided design applications within IBM. Graphics systems supported range from interactive, high-function, distributed-graphics workstations to passive graphic-output devices. GSSP provides many of the functions usually found in other device-independent graphics packages, with additional support for hierarchically structured display files and distributed graphics systems. The major functions provided by GSSP are described, and an overview of the implementation is presented to show how issues such as interactive performance and human factors are addressed.