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IETF RFC 2077
The Model Primary Content Type for Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
Last modified on Wednesday, January 8th, 1997
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Network Working Group S. Nelson
Request for Comments: 2077 LLNL
Category: Standards Track C. Parks
NIST
Mitra
WorldMaker
January 1997
The Model Primary Content Type for
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
 Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Introduction
The purpose of this memo is to propose an update to Internet RFC 2045
to include a new primary content-type to be known as "model". RFC
2045 [1] describes mechanisms for specifying and describing the
format of Internet Message Bodies via content-type/subtype pairs. We
believe that "model" defines a fundamental type of content with
unique presentational, hardware, and processing aspects. Various
subtypes of this primary type are immediately anticipated but will be
covered under separate documents.
Table of Contents
1. Overview............................................. 2
2. Definition........................................... 2
3. Consultation Mechanisms.............................. 4
4. Encoding and Transport............................... 5
5. Security Considerations Section...................... 6
6. Authors' Addresses................................... 7
7. Expected subtypes.................................... 7
8. Appendix............................................. 9
9. Acknowledgements..................................... 13
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 1 
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
1. Overview
This document will outline what a model is, show examples of models,
and discuss the benefits of grouping models together. This document
will not directly deal with the intended subtypes since those will be
covered by their separate registrations. Some immediately expected
subtypes are listed in section 7.
This document is a discussion document for an agreed definition,
intended eventually to form a standard accepted extension to RFC
2045. We are also targeting developers of input/output filters,
viewer software and hardware, those involved in MIME transport, and
decoders.
2. Definition of a model
A model primary MIME type is an electronically exchangeable
behavioral or physical representation within a given domain. Each
subtype in the model structure has unique features, just as does each
subtype in the other primary types. The important fact is that these
various subtypes can be converted between each other with less loss
of information then to that of other primary types. This fact groups
these subtypes together into the model primary type. All of the
expected subtypes have several features in common and that are unique
to this primary type.
To loosely summarize: models are multidimensional structures composed
of one or more objects. If there are multiple objects then one
object defines the arrangement/setting/relationship of the others.
These objects all have calibrated coordinate systems but these
systems need not be in the same units nor need they have the same
dimensionality. In detail:
1. have 3 or more dimensions which are bases of the system and
form an orthogonal system (any orthogonal system is sufficient).
This system is specifically defined in terms of an orthogonal
set of basis functions [for a subspace of the L^2 function space]
over a coordinate system of dimension 3 or more. Note that this
does not preclude regular skewed systems, elliptical coordinates,
different vector spaces, etc.
2. contain a structural relationship between model elements.
3. have scaling or calibration factors which are related to physical
units (force, momentum, time, velocity, acceleration, size, etc.).
Thus, an IGES file will specify a building of non-arbitrary size,
computational meshes and VRML models will have real spatial/
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 2
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
temporal units. This allows for differing elements to be combined
non-arbitrarily.
4. Models can be single objects or composed of a collection of
objects. These normally independent objects are arranged
in a master/slave scenario so that one object acts as the
reference, or primary object, which defines how the other
objects interrelate and behave. This allows for the creation
of mathematical, physical, economic, behavioral, etc. models
which typically are composed of different elements. The key is
in the description: these types describe how something
"behaves"; contrasted to typical data types which describe
how something "is".
The inclusion of this "collective" system works similar to the
Email system's multipart/related type which defines the actions
of the individual parts. Further specification of the model/*
subtypes utilizing these properties is left to the subtype
authors.
With these assumptions:
a. the default dimensionality will be spatial and temporal (but
any are allowed).
b. it is presumed that models will contain underlying structure
which may or may not be immediately available to the
user. (fluid dynamics vector fields, electromagnetic
propagation, interrelated IGES dimensional specifiers, VRML
materials and operators, etc.)
c. it is assumed that basis set conversion between model domains
is lossless. The interpretation of the data may change but
the specification will not. i.e. convert the model of the
U.S.A. Gross Domestic Product into a VRML model and navigate
it to explore the variances and interrelationships. The model
has many dimensions but also "passages" and "corridors"
linking different parts of it. A similar situation is true
for meshes and CAD files. The key is identifying the basis set
conversion which makes sense.
d. models are grouped to assure LESS loss of information between
the model subtypes than to subtypes of other primary
types. (i.e. converting a chemical model into an image is
more lossy than concerting it into a VRML model).
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 3
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
Items c and d above define the grouping for model similar to the way
that "images" and "videos" are grouped together; to assure less loss
of information. Obviously converting from a GIF image to a JPEG
image looses less information than converting from a GIF image to an
AU audio file.
3. Consultation Mechanisms
Before proposing a subtype for the model/* primary type, it is
suggested that the subtype author examine the definition (above) of
what a model/* is and the listing (below) of what a model/* is not.
Additional consultations with the authors of the existing model/*
subtypes is also suggested.
Copies of RFCs are available on:
ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/
Copies of Internet-Drafts are available on:
ftp://ftp.ietf.org/internet-drafts/
Similarly, the VRML discussion list has been archived as:
http://vrml.wired.com/arch/
and discussions on the comp.mail.mime group may be of interest.
Discussion digests for the existing model/* subtypes may be
referenced in the respective documents.
The mesh community presently has numerous different mesh geometries
as part of different packages. Freely available libraries need to be
advertised more than they have been in the past to spur the
development of interoperable packages. It is hoped that by following
the example of the VRML community and creating a freely available
comprehensive library of input/output functions for meshes [11] that
this problem will be alleviated for the mesh community. A freely
available mesh viewer conforming to these standards is available now
for various platforms. Consulations with the authors of the mesh
system,
http://www-dsed.llnl.gov/documents/tests/mesh.html
will be beneficial.
The IGES community has a suite of tests and conformance utilities to
gauge the conformance to specifications and software authors are
encouraged to seek those out from NIST [14].
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 4
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
4. Encoding and Transport
a. Unrecognized subtypes of model should at a minimum be treated
as "application/octet-stream". Implementations may optionally
elect to pass subtypes of model that they do not specifically
recognize to a robust general-purpose model viewing
application, if such an application is available.
b. Different subtypes of model may be encoded as textual
representations or as binary data. Unless noted in the
subtype registration, subtypes of model should be assumed to
contain binary data, implying a content encoding of base64 for
email and binary transfer for ftp and http.
c. The formal syntax for the subtypes of the model primary type
should look like this:
Media type name: model
Media subtype name: xxxxxxxx
Required parameters: none
Optional parameters: dimensionality, state
(see below)
Encoding considerations: base64 encoding is recommended when
transmitting model/* documents through
MIME electronic mail.
Security considerations: see section 5 below
Published specification: This document.
See Appendix B for references to some of
the expected subtypes.
Person and email address to contact for further information:
Scott D. Nelson <nelson18@llnl.gov>
7000 East Ave.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Livermore, CA 94550
The optional parameters consist of starting conditions and variable
values used as part of the subtypes. A base set is listed here for
illustration purposes only and will be covered in detail as part of
the respective subtypes:
dimension := string ; a number indicating the number of dimensions.
This is used as a "hint" in selecting
applicable viewer programs.
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 5
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
state := string ; "static" or "dynamic". In "static", the
observer may move about, thus effecting
translations, rotations, pans, zooms, etc.
but the data does not change. In "dynamic",
the data itself is manipulated via
skews, elongations, scales, etc. Note that
time evolution is still a static operation
since it is just a translation along one of
the principal dimensions while the elongation
of a cube or object deformation are dynamic
operations.
Note that this optional parameter list does not limit those
specified by the various subtypes.
d. The specific issues relating to the various subtypes are covered
as part of the description of those specific subtypes. The
following is an example of a typical MIME header used for mail
transport purposes:
To: you@some.org
From: nelson18@llnl.gov
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 96 13:33:19 -0700
Content-Type: model/mesh; dimension="4"; state="static"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
MIME-Version: 1.0
Subject: model data file
I1ZSTUwgVjEuMCBhc2NpaQojIFRoaXMgZmlsZSB3YXMgIGdlbmVyY...
byBDb21tdW5pY2F0aW9ucwojIGh0dHA6Ly93d3cuY2hhY28uY29tC...
IyB1c2VkIGluIHJvb20gMTkyICh0ZXN0IHJvb20pCiAgIAojIFRvc...
.
.
.
5. Security Considerations Section
Note that the data files are "read-only" and do not contain file
system modifiers or batch/macro commands. The transported data is
not self-modifying but may contain interrelationships. The data
files may however contain a "default view" which is added by the
author at file creation time. This "default view" may manipulate
viewer variables, default look angle, lighting, visualization
options, etc. This visualization may also involve the computation of
variables or values for display based on the given raw data. For
motorized equipment, this may change the position from the hardware's
rest state to the object's starting orientation.
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 6
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
The internal structure of the data files may direct agents to access
additional data from the network (i.e. inclusions); the security
limits of whom are not pre-supposed. Actions based on these
inclusions are left to the security definitions of the inclusions.
Further comments about the security considerations for the subtypes
will be contained in each subtype's registration.
6. Authors' Addresses
S. D. Nelson
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,
7000 East Ave., L-153,
Livermore CA 94550, USA.
E-Mail: nelson18@llnl.gov
C. Parks
National Institute of Standards & Technology
Bldg 220, Room B-344
Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
E-Mail: parks@eeel.nist.gov
Mitra
WorldMaker
1056 Noe
San Francisco, CA 94114
E-Mail: mitra@earth.path.net
7. Expected subtypes
Table 1 lists some of the expected model sub-type names. Suggested 3
letter extensions are also provided for DOS compatibility but their
need is hopefully diminished by the use of more robust operating
systems on PC platforms. The "silo" extension is provided for
backwards compatibility. Mesh has an extensive list of hints since
the present variability is so great. In the future, the need for
these hints will diminish since the files are self describing. This
document is not registering these subtypes. They will be handled
under separate documents.
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 7
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
Table 1.
Primary/sub-type Suggested extension(s) Reference
model/iges igs,iges [8]
model/vrml wrl [9]
model/mesh msh, mesh, silo [10]
It is expected that model/mesh will also make use of a number of
parameters which will help the end user determine the data type
without examine the data. However, note that mesh files are self-
describing.
regular+static, unstructed+static, unstructured+dynamic,
conformal+static, conformal+dynamic, isoparametric+static,
isoparametric+dynamic
The sub-types listed above are some of the anticipated types that are
already in use. Notice that the IGES type is already registered as
"application/iges" and that RFC states that a more appropriate type
is desired. Note that the author of "application/iges" is one of the
authors of this "model" submission and application/iges will be re-
registered as model/iges at the appropriate time.
The VRML type is gaining wide acceptance and has numerous parallel
development efforts for different platforms. These efforts are
fueled by the release of the QvLib library for reading VRML files;
without which the VRML effort would be less further along. This has
allowed for a consistent data type and has by defacto established a
set of standards. Further VRML efforts include interfaces to other
kinds of hardware (beyond just visual displays) and it is proposed by
those involved in the VRML effort to encompass more of the five
senses. Unlike other kinds of "reality modeling" schemes, VRML is
not proprietary to any one vendor and should experience similar
growth as do other open standards.
The mesh type is an offshoot of existing computational meshing
efforts and, like VRML, builds on a freely available library set.
Also like VRML, there are other proprietary meshing systems but there
are converters which will convert from those closed systems to the
mesh type. Meshes in general have an association feature so that the
connectivity between nodes is maintained. It should be noted that
most modern meshes are derived from CAD solids files.
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 8
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
8. Appendices
8.1 Appendix A -- extraneous details about expected subtypes
VRML Data Types
The 3D modeling and CAD communities use a number of file formats to
represent 3D models, these formats are widely used to exchange
information, and full, or lossy, converters between the formats exist
both independently and integrated into widely used applications. The
VRML format is rapidly becoming a standard for the display of 3D
information on the WWW.
Mesh Data Types
For many decades, finite element and finite difference time domain
codes have generated mesh structures which attempt to use the
physical geometry of the structures in connection with various
physics packages to generate real world simulations of events
including electromagnetic wave propagation, fluid dynamics, motor
design, etc. The resulting output data is then post processed to
examine the results in a variety of forms. This proposed mesh
subtype will include both geometry and scalar/vector/tensor results
data. An important point to note is that many modern meshes are
generated from solids constructed using CAD packages.
Motivation for mesh grew out of discussions with other communities
about their design requirements. Many CAD or scene descriptions are
composed of a small number of complex objects while computational
meshes are composed of large numbers of simple objects. A 1,000,000
element 3D mesh is small. A 100,000,000 element 3D structured mesh
is large. Each object can also have an arbitrary amount of
associated data and the mesh connectivity information is important in
optimizing usage of the mesh. Also, the mesh itself is usually
uninteresting but postprocessing packages may act on the underlying
data or a computational engine may process the data as input.
Meshes differ principally from other kinds of scenes in that meshes
are composed of a large number of simple objects which may contain
arbitrary non-spatial parameters, not all of whom need be visible,
and who have an implicit connectivity and neighbor list. This latter
point is the key feature of a mesh. It should be noted that most
meshes are generated from CAD files however. The mesh type has
association functions because the underlying physics was used to
calculate the interaction (if you crash a car into a telephone pole,
you get a crumpled car and a bent pole). Most interesting
computational meshes are 4D with additional multidimensional results
components.
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 9
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
IGES CAD Data Types
(The following text, reproduced for reference purposes only, is from
"U.S. Product Data Association and IGES/PDES Organization Reference
Manual," June 1995; by permission.)
IGES, the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification, defines a neutral
data format that allows for the digital exchange of information among
computer-aided design (CAD) systems.
CAD systems are in use today in increasing numbers for applications
in all phases of the design, analysis, and manufacture and testing of
products. Since the designer may use one supplier's system while the
contractor and subcontractor may use other systems, there is a need
to be able to exchange data digitally among all CAD systems.
The databases of CAD systems from different vendors often represent
the same CAD constructs differently. A circular arc on one system may
be defined by a center point, its starting point and end point, while
on another it is defined by its center, its diameter starting and
ending angle. IGES enables the exchange of such data by providing, in
the public domain, a neutral definition and format for the exchange
of such data.
Using IGES, the user can exchange product data models in the form of
wireframe, surface, or solid representations as well as surface
representations. Translators convert a vendor's proprietary internal
database format into the neutral IGES format and from the IGES format
into another vendor's internal database. The translators, called pre-
and post-processors, are usually available from vendors as part of
their product lines.
Applications supported by IGES include traditional engineering
drawings as well as models for analysis and/or various manufacturing
functions. In addition to the general specification, IGES also
includes application protocols in which the standard is interpreted
to meet discipline specific requirements.
IGES technology assumes that a person is available on the receiving
end to interpret the meaning of the product model data. For instance,
a person is needed to determine how many holes are in the part
because the hole itself is not defined. It is represented in IGES by
its component geometry and therefore, is indistinguishable from the
circular edges of a rod.
The IGES format has been registered with the Internet Assigned
Numbers Authority (IANA) as a Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension
(MIME) type "application/iges". The use of the message type/subtype
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 10
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
in Internet messages facilitates the uniform recognition of an IGES
file for routing to a viewer or translator.
Version 1.0 of the specification was adopted as an American National
Standards (ANS Y14.26M-1981) in November of 1981. Versions 3.0 and
4.0 of the specification have subsequently been approved by ANSI. The
current version of IGES 5.2 was approved by ANSI under the new
guidelines of the U.S. Product Data Association. Under these
guidelines, the IGES/PDES Organization (IPO) became the accredited
standards body for product data exchange standards. This latest
standard is USPRO/IPO-100-1993.
8.2 Appendix B -- References and Citations
[1] Freed, N., and N. Borenstein, "Multipurpose Internet Mail
Extensions (MIME) Part One: Format of Internet Message Bodies", RFC
2045, Innosoft, First Virtual, November 1996.
[2] Fitzgerald P., "Molecules-R-Us Interface to the Brookhaven Data
Base", Computational Molecular Biology Section, National Institutes
of Health, USA; see http://www.nih.gov/htbin/pdb for further details;
Peitsch M.C, Wells T.N.C., Stampf D.R., Sussman S. J., "The Swiss-3D
Image Collection And PDP-Browser On The Worldwide Web", Trends In
Biochemical Sciences, 1995, 20, 82.
[3] "Proceedings of the First Electronic Computational Chemistry
Conference", Eds. Bachrach, S. M., Boyd D. B., Gray S. K, Hase W.,
Rzepa H.S, ARInternet: Landover, Nov. 7- Dec. 2, 1994, in press;
Bachrach S. M, J. Chem. Inf. Comp. Sci., 1995, in press.
[4] Richardson D.C., and Richardson J.S., Protein Science, 1992, 1,
3; D. C. Richardson D. C., and Richardson J.S., Trends in Biochem.
Sci.,1994, 19, 135.
[5] Rzepa H. S., Whitaker B. J., and Winter M. J., "Chemical
Applications of the World-Wide-Web", J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun.,
1994, 1907; Casher O., Chandramohan G., Hargreaves M., Murray-Rust
P., Sayle R., Rzepa H.S., and Whitaker B. J., "Hyperactive Molecules
and the World-Wide-Web Information System", J. Chem. Soc., Perkin
Trans 2, 1995, 7; Baggott J., "Biochemistry On The Web", Chemical &
Engineering News, 1995, 73, 36; Schwartz A.T, Bunce D.M, Silberman
R.G, Stanitski C.L, Stratton W.J, Zipp A.P, "Chemistry In Context -
Weaving The Web", Journal Of Chemical Education, 1994, 71, 1041.
[6] Rzepa H.S., "WWW94 Chemistry Workshop", Computer Networks and
ISDN Systems, 1994, 27, 317 and 328.
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 11
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
[7] S.D. Nelson, "Email MIME test page", Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory, 1994. See http://www-dsed.llnl.gov/documents/WWWtest.html
and http://www-dsed.llnl.gov/documents/tests/email.html
[8] C. Parks, "Registration of new Media Type application/iges",
ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/iana/assignments/media-types/
application/iges, 1995.
[9] G. Bell, A. Parisi, M. Pesce, "The Virtual Reality Modeling
Language",
http://sdsc.edu/SDSC/Partners/vrml/Archives/vrml10-3.html, 1995.
[10] S.D. Nelson, "Registration of new Media Type model/mesh",
ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/iana/assignments/media-types/model/
mesh, 1997.
[11] "SILO User's Guide", Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,
University of California, UCRL-MA-118751, March 7, 1995,
[12] E. Brugger, "Mesh-TV: a graphical analysis tool", Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory, University of California,
UCRL-TB-115079-8, http://www.llnl.gov/liv_comp/meshtv/mesh.html
[13] S. Brown, "Portable Application Code Toolkit (PACT)", the
printed documentation is accessible from the PACT Home Page
http://www.llnl.gov/def_sci/pact/pact_homepage.html
[14] L. Rosenthal, "Initial Graphics Exchange Specification
(IGES) Test Service",
http://speckle.ncsl.nist.gov/~jacki/igests.htm
8.3 Appendix C -- hardware
Numerous kinds of hardware already exist which can process some of
the expected model data types and are listed here for illustration
purposes only:
stereo glasses, 3D lithography machines, automated manufacturing
systems, data gloves (with feedback), milling machines,
aromascopes, treadmills.
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 12
RFC 2077 Model Primary MIME Types January 1997
8.4 Appendix D -- Examples
This section contains a collection of various pointers to examples of
what the model type encompasses:
Example mesh model objects can be found on this mesh page:
http://www-dsed.llnl.gov/documents/tests/mesh.html
Various IGES compliant test objects:
http://www.eeel.nist.gov/iges/specfigures/index.html
VRML Test Suite:
http://www.chaco.com/vrml/test/
An image of a model of a shipping cage crashing into the ground:
http://www.llnl.gov/liv_comp/meiko/apps/dyna3d/cagefig2.gif
An image of a 100,000,000 zone mesh:
http://www.llnl.gov/liv_comp/meiko/apps/hardin/PMESH.gif
A video of a seismic wave propagation through a computational mesh:
http://www.llnl.gov/liv_comp/meiko/apps/larsen/movie.mpg
9. Acknowledgements
Thanks go to Henry Rzepa (h.rzepa@ic.ac.uk), Peter Murray-Rust
(pmr1716@ggr.co.uk), Benjamin Whitaker
(B.J.Whitaker@chemistry.leeds.ac.uk), Bill Ross (ross@cgl.ucsf.EDU),
and others in the chemical community on which the initial draft of
this document is based. That document updated an IETF Internet Draft
in which the initial chemical submission was made, incorporated
suggestions received during the subsequent discussion period, and
indicated scientific support for and uptake of a higher level
document incorporating physical sciences[2-7]. This Model submission
benefited greatly from the previous groundwork laid, and the
continued interest by, those communities.
The authors would additionally like to thank Keith Moore
(moore@cs.utk.edu), lilley (lilley@afs.mcc.ac.uk), Wilson Ross
(ross@cgl.ucsf.EDU), hansen (hansen@pegasus.att.com), Alfred Gilman
(asg@severn.wash.inmet.com), and Jan Hardenbergh (jch@nell.oki.com)
without which this document would not have been possible. Additional
thanks go to Mark Crispin (MRC@CAC.Washington.EDU) for his comments
on the previous version and Cynthia Clark (cclark@ietf.org) for
editing the submitted versions.
Nelson, et. al. Standards Track PAGE 13
The Model Primary Content Type for Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
RFC TOTAL SIZE: 30158 bytes
PUBLICATION DATE: Wednesday, January 8th, 1997
LEGAL RIGHTS: The IETF Trust (see BCP 78)
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