High resolution real time raster image processing system and method

A raster image processing system and method that can keep up with the fastest high resolution printers now available can process images "on the fly"-that is, generate images from compact input representations so rapidly that printing can occur substantially in the same real time as raster image processing of input data. This system is capable of automatically "screening" data relating to the images so that the various gray scales or color levels are correct for a contone printing process. Different print engine control modules can be replaceably plugged into and out of the system to allow it to be used with different types of print engines/intelligent imaging systems-including high speed, high resolution color printing engines. A high speed data cache and associated array disk drive provide high speed throughput of data into the system. The disk array may, for example, store a library of high resolution graphics that can be accessed "on the fly" as needed in response to the input data stream. A graphics accelerator can generate, on the fly, many "primitive" or simple graphics (e..g, angles, lines, boxes, etc.) at the same time that the remainder of the print image is being generated.