Re: Early Apple II paint programs?

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Chris Williams writes ...
> 
>    I'm working on a history of computer graphics, and I'm trying to
> make sure that no innovative platform is slighted. On Prof. Wayne
> Carlson's Computer Graphics timeline at:
> 
> http://www.cgrg.ohio-state.edu/~waynec/history/timeline.html
> 
>    ...he says:
> 
> "1983 - Steve Dompier's "Micro Illustrator" is first PC paint program
> (for Apple II)"
> 
>    Does anyone recall this? Does anyone have this? Does anyone
> disagree with his assessment?

     The Koala Micro Illustrator probably qualifies as the first widely popular
modern Apple II paint utility. However, other paint utilities were available
before or in 1983. For example, Painter Power came out in 1981.  And, in 1983,
you had Pixit. A more user-friendly painter named "Flying Colors" with modern
features like color palettes, shapes, brushes, etc. may have been pre-1983.



> I'm interested in any hearing about
> your experiences doing 2D and 3D(?) interactive graphics on the
> Apple II and IIGS. Any information would be helpful.
     
     Shapes (vector graphics) created via shape tables are supported in
Applesoft. To some extent, this led early Apple II users/developers down a
false trail. It took a while to appreciate shape table limitations and focus
upon developing tools to handle bit graphics. 



>    On a side note, back in 1983, I was visiting a friend who had
> a Apple II on which he constantly played "Space Eggs". He had a
> catalog from Apple listing various hardware and software. One item
> was the "Utopia Graphics System", a paint system written by Todd
> Rundgren. I've already checked with the Todd newsgroup and they knew
> nothing about this. Does any else recall this, or have a copy of
> this pamplet-sized catalog? Was this ever shipped, or was it just
> another of Todd's clutter of abandoned projects.

     Don't recall a "Utopia Graphics System"; but, if it was listed in some
catalog, it was very likely available. All sorts of graphics utilities sprouted
up after release of the II+.



Rubywand