GRASS (programming language): Difference between revisions

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{{about|the programming language|the GIS system|Grass GIS}}

'''GRASS''' (''GRAphics Symbiosis System'') is a [[programming language]] created to script [[2D computer graphics|2D]] [[vector graphics]] animations. GRASS was similar to [[BASIC]] in syntax, but added numerous instructions for specifying 2D object animation, including scaling, translation, rotation and color changesrotation over time. These functions were directly supported by the [[Vector General 3D]] [[graphics terminal]] GRASS was written for. It quickly became a hit with the artistic community who were experimenting with the new medium of [[computer graphics]], and is most famous for its use by [[Larry Cuba]] to create the original "attacking the [[Death Star]] will not be easy" animation in ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (1977). A later version that was adapted to support [[raster graphic]]s was known as '''ZGrass'''.

As part of a later partnership with [[Midway Games]], the language was ported to the Midway's [[Z-80]]-based Z Machine. This machine used [[raster graphic]]s and a form of [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]], which required extensive changes to support, along with animating color changes. This version was known as '''ZGrass'''.

==History==