VT-15 Graphics Software System

This manual provides a comprehensive description of the PDP-15/VT15 Graphics Subprogram Package, designed to simplify graphics programming for users of the VT15 Graphics Display Processor. It eliminates the need for detailed hardware knowledge by offering a set of routines that generate display commands to define, link, display, and delete various graphic elements such as points, lines, text, and graphs.

Key features and functionalities described include:

• Subpicture Routines: For creating and manipulating individual graphic elements, including drawing lines, displaying text, copying subpictures, setting display parameters (scale, intensity, blink, rotation, light pen sensitivity, dash, offset, sync), plotting data in graph form, and controlling subpicture visibility (blank/unblank, circle, rotate).
• Main Display File Routines: For building and managing the main display file that orchestrates the display of subpictures, allowing for dynamic modification, deletion, and reuse of display components.
• Input Routines: Facilitating console interaction through the light pen and pushbuttons, enabling tracking or drawing based on light pen movement.
• Relocating Routines: For converting display files to and from a symbolic, memory-independent form for output and input, ensuring portability.
• Device Handlers: Detailed information on the System I/O Device Handler, the LK35 Keyboard Handler, and the VW01 Writing Tablet Handler, explaining how these peripherals interface with the system and user programs.
• Text Display/Edit Functions: Covering the EDITVT text editing program and the CONTROL X feature, which allows the display CRT to act as a soft copy alternative to the console printer.

The software is compatible with both FORTRAN IV and MACRO-15 programs, running under the Disk Operating System (DOS) or Advanced Monitor Software System (ADSS), and is designed for a minimum hardware configuration including a PDP-15 with 8K core memory and associated peripherals.