primitives

Definition: (1) Basic shapes which are used by graphics, 3D or typography programme to produce larger, more complicated shapes. * Most software rely on the manipulation of a square, ellipse, triangle and line to create nearly any shape required. * May be known as primitive shapes. (2) Basic elements used by a page description language -- in conjunction with operations such as 'stroke', 'fill', 'translate' -- to define items to be printed.

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