Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!well!ewhac
From: ewhac@well.UUCP (Leo 'Bols Ewhac' Schwab)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: A Modest Proposal (IFF QuickDraw (ACK PHFT!))
Summary: Chuck was right.
Keywords: NAPLPS
Message-ID: <5930@well.UUCP>
Date: 11 May 88 21:24:14 GMT
References: <4607@super.upenn.edu>
Reply-To: ewhac@well.UUCP (Leo 'Bols Ewhac' Schwab)
Organization: The CIA:  International Meddling at Bargain Rates.
Lines: 44

In article <4607@super.upenn.edu> ranjit@eniac.seas.upenn.edu.UUCP (Ranjit Bhatnagar) writes:
>The problem:
>	We don't have a standard for the transfer of "structured
>graphics," that is, pictures described as sets of drawing commands 
>rather than as bitmaps.  [ ... ]
>	Such a standard should provide, at a minimum, the following:
> [ handwave, handwave... ]
>	By some coincidence, there already is such a standard: Apple
>QuickDraw.  [ ... ]

	I've got a better idea:  NAPLPS.

	QuickDraw is a crock.  QuickDraw is also Apple's puppy, and any
attempt to clone it will get you sued real fast.  Further, to get any
details on QuickDraw or PICT format, you have to buy the _Inside Macintosh_
books, which aren't cheap.  QuickDraw is standard only with respect to
Apple's line of "computers", and nowhere else.

	On the other hand, NAPLPS will address every need for portable
structured graphics you'll ever need.  NAPLPS will work on CRT's or paper.
NAPLPS is resolution independent, which means your drawings can be rendered
at 320 x 200, or 640 x 400 overscan, or on a 3' x 6' chart at 600 dpi, and it
will come out looking correct.  NAPLPS is also system-independent.  NAPLPS
readers and writers exist for a wide variety of computer systems, including
those with vector-based output devices.

	What's more, NAPLPS is public domain.  It also happens to be an
established and registered standard.  You can obtain a copy of the standard
for $25 from ANSI, I believe.  This document will tell you everything you
need to know to read and write NAPLPS files.  Also, you can obtain test
files to see if your reader is working correctly.  There are also a number
of NAPLPS bulletin boards which you can use to test your software (Prodigy
isn't one of them).

	In short, if you want to do portable structured graphics, QuickDraw
is not the way to go.  It's proprietary, and far from general.  You should
at least look at what NAPLPS can offer you.

	[ Dave Hughes converted me... ]

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Leo L. Schwab -- The Guy in The Cape  ihnp4!pacbell -\
 \_ -_		Recumbent Bikes:	      dual ---> !{well,unicom}!ewhac
O----^o	      The Only Way To Fly.	      hplabs / (pronounced "AE-wack")
"Work FOR?  I don't work FOR anybody!  I'm just having fun."  -- The Doctor