The Modelling, Rendering, and Interaction Component

Abstract

PREMO was initially envisaged as a new standard for computer graphics based on object- oriented technology. It was soon realised, however, that an equally significant problem in the design of “next generation” graphics applications was the need to integrate other media with graphics at a fundamental level, under the control of an API. Part 4 of PREMO, the Modelling, Rendering, and Interaction (MRI) Component is where this integration takes place in the standard. Thus, while the Multimedia Systems Services Component provides architectural support for viewing graphics processing in similar terms to other media processing applications, it does not directly address the content of the data used to describe the presentation. Instead, it defines streams and the concepts of processing resources that are independent of media content. In the MRI component, these facilities are used to define generic objects for modelling and rendering data, and basic facilities for supporting interaction. To support interoperability between devices for processing various media, the MRI component defines a hierarchy of abstract primitives for structuring multimedia presentations. Finally, it defines a specialised device for coordinating processing activities that operates on a heterogeneous multimedia presentation.