Abstract: An application renders a visual simulation to a display as a series of visual frames according to a plurality of calls. Each frame contains objects. A particular frame n of the simulation is captured for re-rendering. An identification of the frame n to be captured is received, a run file for the identified frame n is created, and for the frame n each call issued in connection with such frame n by the application is captured. For each issued call in order, all establishing calls necessary to establish state for the issued call are firstly written to the run file, and the issued call is then secondly written to the run file. Thus, the run file as produced represents an ordered list of calls that may be executed by an executable on any of a plurality of computing devices to re-render the frame independent from the application.

Abstract: A standard graphics specification for use by both developers of graphics files as well as of applications developed to execute in a runtime environment is disclosed. The graphics files are developed to conform to the graphics specification and therefore will be executable by applications in any runtime environment that likewise conform to the graphics specification. The specification includes program syntax standards and standards for metadata in the form of semantics and annotations that further describe the code. The specification additionally includes standards to which applications may conform to ensure that the applications will be capable of executing any graphics files that conform to the graphics specification.