5.2.2.1 ICON CLASS AND ICON

An icon class (I*) is a class of all possible icons. These icons can be bitmaps, drawing procedures, declarative statements, or any other means, either direct or indirect, to depict an image. An icon (I) is an instance of I*, with further components of a local coordinate system (c) and parameter list, P(I). The parameter list may the data structures, scaling or rotation routines, and other elements necessary to sufficient describe I.

(EQ 1) I = <I*, c, P(I)>

Figure 57 illustrates an example of an Icon Class, followed by two examples of Icons through their realization. The Icon Class consists of four distinct icons. Two are text frames for rib and boss, while the other two here indicate a visual representation, perhaps a bitmap or declarative code for reconstruction. Icons do not have to reside in the visual domain.

Figure 57 Icon Class I* and Instance I