History of Computers - The Pixar Imaging Computer
The Pixar Image Computer (PIC) was the first commercially available computer with high-powered graphical capabilities. It was designed not for the average consumer (like the Apple II or Macintosh), but rather for specific industries, from medical and military to TV animation.[1]
Contents
Overview
The Pixar Image Computer was very fast for its time (see Specifications for specifics), which, combined with its insane graphical capabilities, made it useful in a variety of industries. While it is most famous (though that's not saying much) for being the processor behind early Pixar films like Luxo Jr. and The Adventures of Andre and Wally B.,[2] The PIC also had applications in areas like medical science, federal, seismic, energy, military, color prepress, TV animation, and nondestructive testing, to which the PIC was specifically marketed.[3] It was designed by the graphics division of Lucasfilm between 1979[4], when the division was created, and 1986, when Pixar was bought by Steve Jobs and some employees. Not-so-coincidentally, 1986 was also the year that the PIC became commercially available.
Specifications
"The Pixar Image Computer uses 48-bit memory for each pixel. The pixels use 12 bits for red, green, and blue, plus 12 bits for transparency (alpha channel). The CHAP is made from four bit-slice processors and four hardware multipliers in a SIMD architecture. It can execute instructions a rate of 40 MIPS. That made it 200 times faster than a DEC VAX-11/780, a popular system at the time. This system supports up to three CHAPs. The CHAPS talk to each other and other peripherals across the 80 MB/sec YAPBUS (Yet Another Pixar Bus), and to picture memory across the 240 MB/sec PBUS ( Processor Access Bus). The SYSBUS connects to the host computer. The standard video output board supports 525-line interlaced and 1024 x 768 resolutions."[5]
Significance
Beyond its impressive specifications, the PIC was the computer that helped launch the premier animation company, Pixar. It also had a hand in beginning an era of computer-based graphics for everything from TV animation to testing bomb designs without actually going to a bomb range.
References
- ↑ https://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/PDFs/pixar-image-processor.pdf
- ↑ http://www.pixar.com/about/Our-Story
- ↑ https://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/PDFs/pixar-image-processor.pdf
- ↑ https://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/PDFs/pixar-image-processor.pdf
- ↑ http://www.ricomputermuseum.org/Home/equipment/pixar-image-computer
