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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                               September 27, 1996

Raster Graphics, Inc.
3025 Orchard Parkway
San Jose, CA  95134

      REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") on September 27, 1996 in connection with the registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 2,701,386 shares of
your Common Stock (the "Shares") reserved for issuance under the 1988 Stock
Option Plan, the 1996 Stock Plan, the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the
1996 Directors' Stock Option Plan. As your counsel in connection with this
transaction, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the
proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale and issuance
of the Shares.

      It is our opinion that upon conclusion of the proceedings being taken or
contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares, and upon completion of the proceedings being taken in order to permit
such transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of
the various states where required, the Shares when issued and sold in the manner
described in the Registration Statement will be legally and validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.

      We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and in any amendment thereto.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           VENTURE LAW GROUP
                                           A Professional Corporation
                                           
                                           /s/ VENTURE LAW GROUP
MWH