[mapserver-users] Antialiased Lines in mapserver?

[woodbri at swoodbridge.com]

On 7 Oct 2002 at 14:59, Steve Lime wrote:

> I'm sorta hoping that GD 2.0 will offer anti-aliasing. It's not that
> hard and there are numerous algorithms out there. Way back I actually
> looked into using ImageMagick instead of GD. However, the author of IM
> warned that in tests GD was approximately 6 times faster than IM.
> That's a hefty price to pay for smooth lines.

I think that this should be evaluated again in light of the fact that 
GD 2.0 will be using deeper image depth that will impact performance.

Which raises another question in my mind. 

Would it make sense to or is it planned that the output routines will 
be installable or selectable at runtime (maybe via the map file) so 
for applications that need the performance but can live with GD 1.x 
image quality can get it, while other apps can get the features they 
need?

Shouldn't it be possible to have output drivers for GD 1.x, GD 2.x, 
ImageMagick, Postscript, Flash, etc. Assuming that someone implements 
each of them.

-Steve W.

> In my opinion, it might be easier to update GD to do antialiasing than
> to use IM. The new arch is not well documented yet since a production
> version has not even been released yet. Basically it would consist of
> functions to draw shapeObj's a points, lines and polygons given
> MapServers symbolization scheme.
> 
> Steve
> 
> Stephen Lime
> Data & Applications Manager
> 
> Minnesota DNR
> 500 Lafayette Road
> St. Paul, MN 55155
> 651-297-2937
> 
> >>> David Monterroso Cabello <pyro-x at ixine.com> 10/03/02 09:52AM >>>
> Daniel Morissette wrote:
> 
> >David Monterroso Cabello wrote:
> >  
> >
> >>    And finally,  a question for developers, would it be possible to
> >>switch to ImageMagick for vector rendering?, that library render
> fine
> >>antialiased lines  =), althought i dunno if it support everything
> >>mapserver needs.
> >>
> >>    
> >>
> >
> >I had a quick look at the ImageMagick website and saw that they
> support
> >a good set of vector rendering functions, so adding ImageMagick as a
> new
> >(optional) output system would be possible in the new architecture
> >developed in version 3.7.  As usual, we just need someone with time
> to
> >do this, or money to fund this work.
> >  
> >
> 
>     Yes, i thought the same when i saw IM web, i dunno if it is very
> difficult but if finally there is no other way to do antialiasing  and
> 
> you think is posible i would like to try to implement it.  Do you know
> 
> about any doc or something i can read to understand the new output
> architecture?.
> 
> Many thx
> 
> 
>