Editing Early Raytracing History
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= MAGIC = | = MAGIC = | ||
− | + | The very first computerized raytracer at BRL was the MAGIC system, developed by | |
+ | Mathematical Applications Group, Inc. (MAGI) in the mid 1960s for the Ballistic Research Laboratory. Richard Hoyt is listed as BRL's technical supervisor on the project. MAGI later went on to play a [https://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/tree/magi.html significant role] in the commercial development of CGI. The seminal report detailing this work is "A Geometric Description Technique Suitable for Computer Analysis of Both the Nuclear and Conventional Vulnerability of Armored Military Vehicles," published in 1967. It was not approved for public release until much later, and hence is relatively obscure despite its historical importance in the field of computer graphics. | ||
The other significant sources of information known to exist about the first MAGIC system are a set of manuals prepared by the Joint Technical Coordinating Group for Munitions Effectiveness (JTCG/ME) in 1970-71 and the proceedings of the first (and apparently last?) conference held for the users of the MAGIC and SAM-C codes in 1971. | The other significant sources of information known to exist about the first MAGIC system are a set of manuals prepared by the Joint Technical Coordinating Group for Munitions Effectiveness (JTCG/ME) in 1970-71 and the proceedings of the first (and apparently last?) conference held for the users of the MAGIC and SAM-C codes in 1971. | ||
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!Date | !Date | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[http:// | + | |[http://brlcad.org/... A Geometric Description Technique Suitable for Computer Analysis of Both the Nuclear and Conventional Vulnerability of Armored Military Vehicles] |
|MAGI-6701 | |MAGI-6701 | ||
− | | | + | |1967 |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[http:// | + | |[http://brlcad.org/... MAGIC Computer Simulation - Volume I. User Manual] |
|61 JTCG/ME-71-7-1 | |61 JTCG/ME-71-7-1 | ||
|1970 | |1970 | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[http:// | + | |[http://brlcad.org/... MAGIC Computer Simulation - Volume II. Analyst Manual Part 1] |
|61 JTCG/ME-71-7-2-1 | |61 JTCG/ME-71-7-2-1 | ||
|1971 | |1971 | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[http:// | + | |[http://brlcad.org/... MAGIC Computer Simulation - Volume II. Analyst Manual Part 2] |
|61 JTCG/ME-71-7-2-2 | |61 JTCG/ME-71-7-2-2 | ||
|1971 | |1971 | ||
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|} | |} | ||
− | (Note: Subsequent reports mention something called the SHOT GENERATOR Computer program that appears to date to the same | + | (Note: Subsequent reports mention something called the SHOT GENERATOR Computer program that appears to date to around the same period as MAGIC, but I currently have no information about this code, the JTCG/ME reports that document it, or what role it played - it is referenced as an influence in the GIFT code design, so more information (if available) would be interesting.) |
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= GIFT = | = GIFT = | ||
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!Date | !Date | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[http:// | + | |[http://brlcad.org/... The Gift Code User Manual. Volume I. Introduction and Input Requirements.] |
|BRL-1802 | |BRL-1802 | ||
|1975 | |1975 | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[http:// | + | |[http://brlcad.org/... The Gift Code User Manual. Volume II. The Output Options.] |
|ARBRL-TR-02189 | |ARBRL-TR-02189 | ||
|1979 | |1979 | ||
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!Date | !Date | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[ | + | |[MIFT: GIFT Combinatorial Geometry Input to VCS Code.] |
|ADA037898 | |ADA037898 | ||
|MAR 1977 | |MAR 1977 | ||
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|[http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a161828.pdf A Combinatorial Geometry Target Description of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)] | |[http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a161828.pdf A Combinatorial Geometry Target Description of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)] |