RAD
A fixed size RAM disk that survives a warm reboot.
rail
A guide for which an object will travel on.
RAM
Random Access Memory. Temporary data storage area of computer chips.
raw input
Input data that is provided unmodified to a task.
ray
A beam of light from a light source in a stage or layout editor.
raytrace
A rendering technique which follow the pathway of light beams in order to determine the color shading of a given pixel
on a given surface. This technique is capable of determining the refraction and reflection of light through given surfaces.
realistic mode
A rendering mode for surfaces that renders as much detail as possible, permitting more realistic images than can be done with other rendering modes.
recoverable RAM disk
Any device, such as RAD: or VD0:, that allows data to be maintained and reused after reseting the computer.
recursion
A type of loop structure that uses the original routine to determine an answer from a base case. The routine determines its answer from a generating function calculated
against the base case. If no base case is defined, the routine will loop infinitely. See also Recursion.
redirection
The method of directing output to a device or file.
May be invoked from a CLI or Shell using the > or < symbol. The > symbol directs output to a given filename, while the < directs input from a given file.
reentrant file
A file or program that may be executed or used by two different tasks simultaneously.
reference grid
A grid that is used as a backdrop to a modeler or paint program, allowing points and objects to be snapped to incremental coordinates.
reflection
The process of bouncing light off of a surface, allowing images to appear on other surfaces.
· A mirror is a highly reflective surface, which reflects over 95% of the light rays that are cast upon it.
refraction
Process of bending an image or light when viewed through another refractive object. Often used in ray tracing programs and image manipulation software.
· When an object is placed in water, it appears to bend slightly due to the refraction of light as it passes between the air and the surface of the water.
rename
The process of changing the name of a file to another name, often similar to the original name. The file contents are not modified in any way, yet the file will be listed as another name.
render
The process of creating an image from a scene of 3D objects.
requester
An window used to notify an event to the user, or request additional information for an operation to proceed.
· When formatting a disk, a requester is used to enter the name of the disk to be formatted.
· When loading a file, a requester is used to select the file name from a list of available files.
resident
A file that is stored in memory, such as in the Shell.
· A resident file does not need to be loaded from the disk drive to be used again.
resolution
The measure of the number of pixels used in a screen, often measured in a horizontal and a vertical number, such as 640x400 or 400x600.
resource tracking
The ability to monitor how the filing system, memory, and messages are being used and freed by an application.
RexxMast
The ARexx server, used to provide interprocess communications.
RGB
Red, Green, and Blue color data, used ot define the color of a light source or palette color. All colors are defined by a
combination of Red, Green, and Blue colors. A list of colors and their RGB values may be found in the Index.
Rigid Disk Block
A feature of 2.x and 3.0 Amigas which allows
information about a hard disk to be stored on that hard disk
as opposed to a mountlist.
ripper
A program that is capable of scanning memory for musical
or graphical data.
ripple
A visual effect that appears as though waves of water
are passing over an image.
RKM
ROM Kernal Manual, the documentation for the Amiga
operating system and hardware.
RMA number
A number assigned to a customer and a product in the event it is returned for repair or replacement.
ROM
Read Only Memory. Permanent data storage area of computer chips.
root
A directory that has no parent, being the first node of the tree structure.
roundit
A type of bevel that smooths the outer edge of two intersecting surfaces.
RTG
Retargetable Graphics, allowing any graphics board to have direct support by the operating system.
run time library
A library of routines that is only used
while an application requests it, and may be shared among other applications.