D Chipsets
16 messages in this thread
Hi,
I was wondering what 3-D chips will support rendering in 3D Studio, such as
the Glint, or the Matrox, and also which ones work well with .DWG files from
AutoCAD. Thanks,
John
<< I was wondering what 3-D chips will support rendering in 3D Studio,>>
Currently there is no support in 3D Studio for enhanced video chipsets.
-Brian
Brian,
I was thinking that you really have a great opportunity to get a major
marketing lead on the SGI folks – atleast to the extent that you could provide
the public with a very usable, afforable rendering solution that was very price
competitive with SGI machines, and close to performance competitive. I know
this is already being done with network rendering, and porting to Windows 95
(and NT maybe? for multiprocessor support), but if you could buy a workstation
with a Glint chip on the VGA board, that would greatly reduce rendering time –
that sounds perfect.
Also, for AutoCad, it would be a great advance.
John
<<now this is already being done with network rendering, and porting to Windows
95 (and NT maybe? for multiprocessor support), but if you could buy a
workstation with a Glint >>
I know that Gary and the Yost Group have considered all these posibilites for
future releases of 3D Studio. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to talk about
future releases of the software. sorry.
-Brian
Brian,
I understand. I read in the newest New Media and the Windows Sources about
Autodesk's awaiting support for the HOOPS API, and all the board manufacturers
clamoring to get a foothold with a software company with a decent rendering
engine. Matrox, Videologic, Creative Labs, ATI, Diamond – these guys are all
putting out 3D boards based on a variety of chipsets, which support different
APIs – and microsoft and Intel I think are coming out with a standard that will
be chip independent.
Thanks,
John
John,
Right now, I'd recommend the Matrox Impression + board. It has some 3D
hardware built in, it's fast in Windows, and runs R3/4, and is not much more
than it's competetors (ATI/Diamond), while it also provides some basic 3D
acceleration for the future. (and limited OpenGL drivers are expected for the
Impression Plus in the near future)
6 months to a year from now, I'd strongly recommend getting a Glint based card.
It'll support OpenGL, which is supported in NT3.5, which 3DS has been announced
to run as it's OS. If you add all three together, you can assume that R5 will
support OpenGL. (but nothing official has been announced, or is expected until
Siggraph)
JNJ
>> 6 months to a year from now, I'd strongly recommend getting a Glint based
card. It'll support OpenGL, which is supported in NT3.5, which 3DS has been
announced to run as it's OS. If you add all three together, you can assume
that R5 will support OpenGL. (but nothing official has been announced, or is
expected until Siggraph) <<
I think that it is pretty safe to say that 6 months to a year from now there
will be quite a few 3d chipsets to choose from… most of which will put
Glint under the table. Check out the Martin Marietta ad on page 16 of the
new (March) CGW. Their stuff is for real, and coming soon (according to the
article, of course).
The future's so bright…
– Dan / n-Space, Inc.
ps – that's my game in the bottom left corner of page 15!
Dan:
>> Check out the Martin Marietta ad on page 16 of the new (March) CGW.
>> ps – that's my game in the bottom left corner of page 15!
Don't tease us! I went looking for your game, but page 15 of my March CGW is a
full page ad for Summagraphics plotters, no games in sight! :^)
Greg Pyros
Try COmputer Gaming World – also has the initials CGW.
Judy
>> Try COmputer Gaming World – also has the initials CGW. <<
Nope, Greg was right, Computer Graphics World, page 16/17.
– Dan / n-Space, Inc.
>> Don't tease us! I went looking for your game, but page 15 of my March
CGW is a full page ad for Summagraphics plotters, no games in sight! :^)
<<
That's it … you see, you are the print head, trying to keep all your i's
dotted and t's crossed while under a tight deadline….
No, really, try pages 16/17. Sorry.
– Dan / n-Space, Inc.
Dan:
>> That's it … you see, you are the print head, trying to keep all your i's
>> dotted and t's crossed while under a tight deadline….
>> No, really, try pages 16/17. Sorry.
I thought that was it! Congratulations!
Greg Pyros
>I think that it is pretty safe to say that 6 months to a year from now there
will be quite a few 3d chipsets to choose from… <
Yeah, no doubt 🙂 Glint's shipping though, and a viable option for people
wanting to get new hardware today.
I'll keep an eye out for the CGW ad, and your game. (it's around here
somewhere.. <g>)
What game did you do?
>The future's so bright…
No doubt! Wild stuff hap'nin. Fast times- every 6 months and things are
practically obsolete.
JNJ
>> Yeah, no doubt 🙂 Glint's shipping though, and a viable option for
people wanting to get new hardware today. <<
Very true.
>> What game did you do? <<
It is called Desert Tank (striking name, eh?). A joint effort between Martin
Marietta and SEGA, featuring Martin's textured poly engine. Same hardware as
Daytona and Virtua' Fighter II. All coin-ops.
>> No doubt! Wild stuff hap'nin. Fast times- every 6 months and things are
practically obsolete. <<
I guess that was my point about the Glint chip. It sure makes for a wild
ride, though!
– Dan / n-Space, Inc.
John,
Thanks for your reply – I've heard that the Glint chip if pretty cool. OpenGL
should be a standard for certain staff, but I'm not sure if it'll be the only
standard – it's kind of overkill for 3_D games and soforth, where the true
resolution isn't such a big deal, but more the effect. But Do you know if
Autodesk supports OpenGL, or it it the HOOPS library, and does the matrox or
Glint based boards support HOOPS?
John
John,
I never said OpenGL would be for games, but for the 3D tools (used to make
them). The Glint is the highest powered chipset around that I've "seen".
There are lots others in development. Most support multiple graphics
libraries. (OpenGL, 3DR, Renderware, Reality Lab, probably Hoops, etc.) GL
support is dependent on drivers from the manufacturers. I don't deal with
HOOPS, but figure if it's popular enough, it'll certianly be implemented by
someone. I expect OpenGL to be the GL of choice on NT workstations, since it's
built in. Autocad, ported to NT, may end up running native OpenGL too- dunno.
(I'm not a cad type, you may want to check in that forum) I do know that the
Matrox board will be great for 3D GL based games, and many of these GL's look
very promising. (Reality Lab was bought up by Microsoft) Probably not
accurate enough for 3DS type needs, but great for games. (faster) Glint based
boards should also support the games gl's, but at a higher cost of ownership.
($1500 vs $350)
JNJ
(after reading about Quickdraw 3D today in 3DA, I think it may be a big
contender for the GL used.. sounds pretty good.)