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FIPS PUB 128-2
Supersedes FIPS PUB 128-1
1993 May 11

Federal Information
Processing Standards Publication 128-2

1996 April 17
Announcing the Standard for

COMPUTER GRAPHICS METAFILE (CGM)

(The Foreword, Abstract, and Key Words
can be found at the end of this document.)

Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) are issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology after approval by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Section 111(d) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended by the Computer Security Act of 1987, Public Law 100-235.2

1. Name of Standard. Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM) (FIPS PUB 128-2).

2. Category of Standard. Software Standard, Graphics.

3. Explanation. This publication is a revision of FIPS PUB 128-1. This revision supersedes FIPS PUB 128-1 in its entirety and modifies the standard by:

(1) adopting the Computer Graphics Metafile standard designated, ANSI/ISO 8632.1-4:1992[1994], and CGM Amendment 1: Rules for Profiles, ISO 8632:1992/Amd. 1:1994;

(2) requiring the use of conforming profiles. Conformance of metafiles (i.e., data files) and implementations (i.e., generators and interpreters) is defined in terms of conformance to profiles; and

(3) adopting several profiles, one of which is required for implementation of this FIPS PUB.
FIPS PUB 128-2 adopts the American National Standards Institute/International Organization for Standardization (ANSI/ISO) 8632.1-4:1992[1994], ISO 8632:1992/Amd. 1:1994, and the following profiles:
(1) Model Profile as contained in CGM Amendment 1;

(2) Air Transport Association (ATA) Specification 2100, Graphics Exchange for CGM;

(3) Continuous Acquisition and Life-Cycle Support (CALS), MIL-D-28003A.
CGM is a graphics data interchange standard which defines a neutral computer-interpretable representation of 2D graphical (pictorial) information in a manner that is independent from any particular application or system. The purpose of the standard is to facilitate the storage and retrieval of graphical information between applications, software systems, and/or devices. A CGM can contain: The CGM standard defines three upward compatible versions. Each version provides additional functionality.

CGM Amendment 1 provides the rules for defining profiles of CGM and conformance requirements for profiles, metafiles, and implementations. Since a proliferation of CGM profiles is not desirable, only those profiles needed for Federal agency use have been added to the FIPS CGM. The exact specification is in Section 10 of this standard.

4. Approving Authority. Secretary of Commerce.

5. Maintenance Agency. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Computer Systems Laboratory (CSL).

6. Cross Index.
a. American National Standard/International Organization for Standardization (ANSI/ISO) Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM), ANSI/ISO 8632.1-4:1992[1994] (Part 1: Functional Specifications; Part 2: Character Encoding; Part 3: Binary Encoding; Part 4: Clear Text Encoding).
b. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM), ISO 8632:1992/Amd. 1:1994.
c. Air Transport Association Specification 2100, Digital Data Standards for Aircraft Support, Graphics Exchange v2.1, October 1994.
d. Military Specification, Digital Representation of Illustration Data: CGM Application Profile (AP), MIL-D-28003A, November 15, 1991.

7. Related Documents. Related ISO documents are listed in the reference section of the CGM standard, ANSI/ISO 8632.1- 4:1992[1994].
a. Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) 29-3, Interpretation Procedures for FIPS Software.
b. Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) 120-1, Graphical Kernel System (GKS). c. Federal Information Resources Management Regulations 201-20.303, Standards, and subpart 201-39.1002, Federal Standards.
d. NISTIR 5475, Validated Products List, J. Kailey and P. Himes, editors, republished quarterly.
e. NISTIR 5372, CGM: Procedures for NIST CGM Validation Test Service, L. Rosenthal and J. Schneider, February 1994.
f. ISO 10641-1992, Conformance Testing of Implementations of Graphics Standards.
8. Objectives. The primary objectives of this standard are:


9. Applicability.
9.1 Applications acquired for government use which purport to create or read graphical pictures shall contain a conforming CGM generator or CGM interpreter. FIPS CGM enables the representation, transfer, and storage of graphical information between different software systems, graphics devices, and/or applications (e.g., word processing, publishing, drawing, spreadsheet, computer-aided design).
9.2 FIPS CGM shall be used when one or more of the following situations exist: 9.3 The use of a profile is required for all metafiles and implementations of CGM. A profile defines the options, elements, and parameters of ANSI/ISO 8632 necessary to accomplish a particular function and to maximize the probability of interchange between systems implementing the profile. A profile addresses metafile requirements as well as implementation requirements. The profiles added by this FIPS CGM are required for industry specific and Federal government applications. The diagram illustrates the relationship between the profiles. The x-axis represents the level of functionality by CGM version; the y-axis represents the complexity of problems that can be solved.

10. Specifications. ANSI/ISO 8632.1-4:1992[1994], Computer Graphics Metafile, defines the scope of the specifications, the syntax, and semantics of the CGM elements. The ANSI/ISO 8632 consists of four parts: (Part 1: Functional Specifications; Part 2: Character and Coding; Part 3: Binding and Coding; Part 4: Clear Text Encoding). ISO 8632:1994/Amd. 1 defines the rules for profiles, conformance, and the Model profile, an instance of a CGM profile. In addition, one of the following profiles shall be used when implementing FIPS CGM: the Model Profile as specified in ISO 8632:1992/Amd. 1:1994, the ATA Specification 2100 Graphics Exchange for CGM, or the Military Specification MIL-D-28003A. All implementations claiming conformance to this FIPS CGM must adhere to the specific requirements defined in the "Conformance" clause of ISO 8632:1992/Amd. 1:1994 and the application profile.

11. Implementation. The implementation of this standard involves four areas of consideration: effective date, acquisition, interpretation, and validation.

11.1 Effective Date. This publication is effective November 1, 1996. A transition period of six (6) months, beginning on the effective date, allows industry to produce CGM implementations and CGM files conforming to this standard. Agencies are encouraged to use this standard for solicitation proposals during the transition period. This standard is mandatory for use in all solicitation proposals for CGM files and implementations (i.e., products or software containing CGM generators and/or interpreters) acquired six (6) months after the effective date.

11.2 Acquisition of CGM Files and Implementations. The use of one of the profiles specified in Section 9.3 is required for conformance to CGM. Agencies should specify a profile in all acquisitions.
Conformance to this standard shall be considered whether CGM files or implementations are developed internally, acquired as part of a system procurement, acquired by separate procurement, used under a leasing agreement, or specified for use in contracts for programming services. Recommended terminology for procurement of FIPS CGM is contained in the U.S. General Services Administration publication Federal ADP and Telecommunications Standards Index, Chapter 5, Part 1.

11.3 Interpretation of FIPS CGM. Resolution of questions regarding this standard will be provided by NIST. Procedures for interpretations are specified in FIPS PUB 29-3. Questions concerning the content and specifications should be addressed to:
Director
Computer Systems Laboratory
ATTN: CGM Interpretation
Building 820, Room 562
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899

11.4 Validation of CGM Files and Implementations. CGM files and implementations of FIPS CGM shall be validated in accordance with the NIST Computer Systems Laboratory (CSL) validation procedures for FIPS CGM, NISTIR 5372, Procedures for the NIST CGM Validation Test Service. Recommended procurement terminology for validation of FIPS CGM is contained in the U.S. General Services Administration publication Federal ADP and Telecommunications Standards Index, Chapter 5, Part 2. This GSA publication provides terminology for three validation options: Delayed Validation, Prior Validation Testing, and Prior Validation. The agency shall select the appropriate validation option and shall specify appropriate time frames for validation and correction of nonconformities. The agency is advised to refer to the NIST publication Validated Products List for information about the validation status of CGM products. This information may be used to specify validation time frames that are not unduly restrictive of competition.

Metafiles and implementations shall be evaluated in terms of conformance to a particular profile of CGM, using the NIST CGM Test Service. If no profile is specified, the Model Profile will be used. The goal of the NIST CGM Test Service, is to assist users and vendors in determining compliance to FIPS PUB 128-2. The results of validation testing by the NIST CGM Validation Test Service are published on a quarterly basis in the Validated Products List, available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Current information about the NIST CGM Validation Test Service and validation procedures for FIPS CGM is available from:
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Computer Systems Laboratory
Conformance Testing Group, CGM Test Service
Building 820, Room 562
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
(301) 975-3283

12. Waivers.
Under certain exceptional circumstances, the heads of Federal departments and agencies may approve waivers to Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). The head of such agency may redelegate such authority only to a senior official designated pursuant to section 3506(b) of Title 44, U.S. Code. Waivers shall be granted only when:
a. Compliance with a standard would adversely affect the accomplishment of the mission of an operator of a Federal computer system, or
b. Cause a major adverse financial impact on the operator which is not offset by Governmentwide savings.

Agency heads may act upon a written waiver request containing the information detailed above. Agency heads may also act without a written waiver request when they determine that conditions for meeting the standard cannot be met. Agency heads may approve waivers only by a written decision which explains the basis on which the agency head made the required finding(s). A copy of each such decision, with procurement sensitive or classified portions clearly identified, shall be sent to: National Institute of Standards and Technology; ATTN: FIPS Waiver Decisions, Building 820, Room 509; Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

In addition, notice of each waiver granted and each delegation of authority to approve waivers shall be sent promptly to the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and shall be published promptly in the Federal Register.

When the determination on a waiver applies to the procurement of equipment and/or services, a notice of the waiver determination must be published in the Commerce Business Daily as a part of the notice of solicitation for offers of an acquisition or, if the waiver determination is made after that notice is published, by amendment to such notice.

A copy of the waiver, any supporting documents, the document approving the waiver and any supporting and accompanying documents, with such deletions as the agency is authorized and decides to make under 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552(b), shall be part of the procurement documentation and retained by the agency.

13. Where to Obtain Copies. Copies of this publication are for sale by the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. (Sale of the included specifications document is by arrangement with the American National Standards Institute.) When ordering, refer to Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 128-2 (FIPSPUB128-2), and title. Payment may be made by check, money order, or NTIS deposit account.


The Foreword, Abstract, and Key Words follow:

FIPS PUB 128-2
FEDERAL INFORMATION
PROCESSING STANDARDS PUBLICATION

1996 April 17
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE/National Institute of Standards and Technology

COMPUTER GRAPHICS METAFILE (CGM)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Michael Kantor, Secretary
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Arati Prabhahar, Director

Foreword
The Federal Information Processing Standards Publication Series of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is the official publication relating to standards and guidelines adopted and promulgated under the provisions of Section 111(d) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 as amended by the Computer Security Act of 1987, Public Law 100-235. These mandates have given the Secretary of Commerce and NIST important responsibilities for improving the utilization and management of computers and related telecommunications systems in the Federal Government. The NIST, through its Computer Systems Laboratory, provides leadership, technical guidance, and coordination of Government efforts in the development of standards and guidelines in these areas.

Comments concerning Federal Information Processing Standards Publications are welcomed and should be addressed to the Director, Computer Systems Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

James H. Burrows, Director
Computer Systems Laboratory

Abstract
This revision supersedes FIPS PUB 128-1 in its entirety and modifies the standard by: (1) adopting the computer Graphics Metafile standard designated, ANSI/ISO 8632.1-4:1992[1994], and CGM Amendment 2: Rules for Profiles, ISO 8632:1992/Amd. 1:1994, and CGM Amendment 2: Application structuring extensions, ISO 8632:1992/Amd. 2:1995; (2) requiring the use of conforming profiles. Conformance of metafiles (i.e., data files) and implementations (i.e., generators and interpreters) is defined in terms of conformance to profiles; and (3) adopting several profiles, one of which is required for implementation of this FIPS PUB.

Key words: Computer Graphics Metafile(CGM); CGM profile; Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS); graphics data interface standard; metafile; MIL-D-28003A; picture transfer; software.




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