Vector Fantasy

[missyrelm]

Heh, It's just a silly fantasy, but I wonder if this idea catches other vector-lovers imagination...

 

If some philanthropic business had unlimited money to lose, could a monitor be made that could display true vector graphics *AND* raster graphics on the same monitor? A modern vector/raster console would also have to be made, which I'm guessing would probably be at least as hard (and money-losing) as making the monitors if it was to keep up with current consoles...

 

If the console could output mixes of raster and Vector information to a vector/raster combo monitor, that would be the best. I have no idea if such a thing is even theoretically possible... But nowadays most vector-based illustration programs combine raster and and vector (although the output is always rasterized in the end)... Its possible to do stunning things like drawing the outline of something in vector and then "filling it in" with raster .

 

Ever messed around with the illustration programs Freehand and Illustrator or Streamline?

*Very* complex images can be created, and while it would never be photo-realistic, raster images can be "converted" using programs like Streamline and Freehand and you'd be suprised how much detail can be there.) The possibilities of graphics that could never be reproduced on a raster monitor are tremendous.

 

Obviously a large-screen (32" to 40"+) vector/raster combo monitor would have to be made, since one of the beautys of vector graphics is not having any resolution so it should look the same at any size.

 

I have no idea if a monitor and console that could produce both true raster graphics and true vector graphics at the same time is even theoretically possible, but a Vector/raster combo would be mindblowing.

 

Ideally, it would also be capable of rastering the output so normal

raster monitors/tvs could be used too.

 

The tubes are the same except 90 degrees for raster vs 100 degrees for vector.

I'm thinking the biggest problem would be hashing out how to deal with using the yoke and drive electronics for both..

Edited September 27, 2007 by missyrelm

[Matt Fisher]

I'm thinking the biggest problem would be hashing out how to deal with using the yoke and drive electronics for both..

 

Bingo, as I understand it. I don't see any way you could drive both methods at the same time, as they couldn't use the same yoke and one would interfere wtih the other. Plus, you'd need six guns instead of just three, and I'm sure no tube on earth has those... Would be pretty cool, though.

[mos6507]

Bingo, as I understand it. I don't see any way you could drive both methods at the same time, as they couldn't use the same yoke and one would interfere wtih the other.

 

Not so sure about that.

 

http://www.cityofberwyn.com/photos/TopGunner/index.htm

[Matt Fisher]

Bingo, as I understand it. I don't see any way you could drive both methods at the same time, as they couldn't use the same yoke and one would interfere wtih the other.

 

Not so sure about that.

 

http://www.cityofberwyn.com/photos/TopGunner/index.htm

 

 

I certainly could be wrong about not being able to do it at all, but I assure you that TopGunner is a 100% vector game, albeit with probably the most advanced and coolest graphics of any vector game ever made. When I run it on my Zektor-based multivector mame machine, on a WG6100 vector monitor, you see everything on mine that you see in the screen shots (it's too slow on my computer to really be playable, though, damn it). The parts that look "raster" are just a ton of vectors all drawn very close together to generate a "solid" image. They did the same thing with Quantum to make the "solid" particles.

 

On the other hand, now that I think about it, I don't see why you couldn't combine a vector monitor with raster-like technology to combine the two images. At one point, I thought about trying to adapt one of those LCD screens for overheads and stick it on top of my vector monitor or Vectrex so that I could display overlays with it. Haven't gotten around to it yet, but might if I find one cheap enough. Don't see why that top layer couldn't be active as well, although far beyond my nonexistent programming skills. Also, maybe with the clever use of some half-silvered mirrors, you might be able to combine the two images, like a heads-up display or something. Now all we need is someone to program this...

[Zonie]

Takes me back...Exidy games were cool.

[mos6507]

The parts that look "raster" are just a ton of vectors all drawn very close together to generate a "solid" image.

 

Right, but it looks like it's able to alter the line as it's drawn to approximate multicolored pixels. It's close enough for me to consider it a raster "zone". Not sure exactly what else you were expecting to see.