Tools for building image processing and graphics applications in a workstation environment

A workstation-based environment for the development of image processing and graphics applications is described. The focus is on two graphical tools provided by the environment. The first tool is a graphical user interface based on the concept of a software control panel. Through a control panel, the user may interactively modify application program parameters and exercise fine-grain control over program execution. The second tool is a graphical block diagram constructor, which allows the user to build executable block diagrams based on standard application programs. Both of the graphical tools are integrated into the framework of an interactive programming environment that provides overall support for applications development