Device-independent intermediate display files

A need exists for a standard definition of a device-independent intermediate display file. Such a file, often referred to as a 'metafile', 'pseudo display file', or device-independent 'plot-file', would be used to communicate pictures between users (either at the same site or at different sites), would act as an audit trail of picture development during a graphics session, or would allow users to make hardcopies of some or all pictures designed during an interactive graphics session.Several organizations have made initial passes at defining such a file. Each organization has had specific motives in preparing its definition.This paper reviews four existing, and assumed to be working, proposals for a device-independent meta-file (henceforth, referred to as 'metafile'). The design concepts that underly metafile definition are addressed individually. Each of the four proposals is discussed as it relates to each of the design concepts. An analysis follows each discussion.The basic metafile concepts have derived from the common points of the four proposals and the principles laid out in the GSPC 'CORE' report.