One might also want to display the output of a more complicated processing stream without having to save those results in a file. For example, one might want to view just the edges in a scene. This result, which consists of only contrast edges in the image, is piped to the display filter. The combination of some UNIX features and the ERIM-developed concept of the datastream has allowed the development of a flexible and convenient image manipulation package. The package has shown a rapid increase in popularity.
New filters are under development, as well as a graphical user-interface.
As its internal use grew, it was inevitable that it would be used as a development tool on contracts.