#Tell me about gfx cards!
13 messages in this thread
Hi there, Mr P! How's wedlock treating you? I just went the other way and am
a wild and crazy single guy again <hah!>
My old VRAM has died on me. Fortunately, at about the same time, Video 7
sent all us SWAT team members a copy of their FOCUS dlp software and a
graphics card to run it on. Unfortunately, that card is a 1024i <tell me
about gift horses <g>>.
As yer knows, I'm running a Rasterex Lazer for AutoCAD, but the 1024i handles
everything else. It seems ok, but it gets such groans when mentioned in the
same breath as other SVGA cards, I'm thinking I should get another card… Do
you think a VRAM II is worthwhile? Or do you think I should look to something
else entirely?
On a related matter, I'm getting a new pc soon; it ain't going to be cheap so
I'll need it for a) AutoCAD; b) Windows; and c) 3D Studio and Animator Pro.
Is it possible to get one card that will handle b) and c) well? And is it
possible to run something like a Targa+ AND the Rasterex AND SVGA in one
machine?
Dave
Dave, we now have a new DIRECT windows driver on the BBS. Very Nice,
answer your part b anyway.
Darrell
Oh, good! I'll grab it tomorrow before the rates go up.
Dave
Dave:
Check out the Hercules Graphics Station+2. Handles AutoCAD at 1024x768x8,
Animator Pro up to 1024×768, and 3D Studio the same, PLUS (this is
beginning to sound hokey) you can get 24bit color for 3DS and (does anyone
use this?) AutoShade. Yup, onscreen, at 512×480. Oh yeah, it handles
Windows at 1024x768x8 or 16bit at lower rez. Really nice. Its fast, but
its also a bit pricey at (I think) about $900.
Jeff Hester
Jeff,
Are you aware of any 24-bit drivers for 3DS for the Hercules cards?
SO far, all I've seen is that they provide 16-bit drivers, which are a bit
banded.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Kevin:
You would probably know better than I. I'm at work now, so I can't check
(the Herc board's at home), but I *thought* the 3DS driver provided 24 bit
color.
Even if it is 16bit, that's suitable for my purposes (visual checks). Any
*real* rendering or animation goes to a file, then to hardcopy or tape. The
combination of color depth and resolution put it out of my system's
displayable range.
Jeff Hester
Jeff – that sounds decent, except for AutoCAD & Windows in 8 colours. I'll
look into it.
Dave
Dave:
Actually, I *meant* 8-bit color (256 colors), not 8 colors. Their latest
ADI driver includes the now common birdseye/spyglass options. I've been
very happy with mine.
Jeff Hester
Oh yeah… I think I came across that once before <g>.
That sounds MUCH more reasonable, but what Jay was talking about — targa
PLUS my dear old Rasterex — would be still more reasonable!
Dave
Sounds really good, and that price is not bad if it can do 24 bit. Is that
price (S)treet, (L)ist or Lowest (K)nown. Does it output NTSC, or grab
from such a source?
Anil
Anil:
Doesn't go to NTSC (bummer). And, uh, I *might* have overstated its maximum
color depth. See the message from Kevin Krell. The price is approximate
list. I haven't checked on discounts lately.
Jeff (but, hey 16bit ain't bad) Hester
Dave,
First, I'm pretty sure Jeff ment 8 bit color, not 8 colors. 8 bit color will
give you 256 colors.
Second, a VRAM II is pretty nice, but pricey. You can get a Tseng 4000 card
with 1meg for less. But, of course, it won't run focus.
If I were you, I'd stick with the Rasterex for Acad, and set up the 1024i as
pass-thru. You can get the TIGA driver for the Rasterex, or, as Darrell
says, use the direct driver for windows. For 3D Studio, you can set the
Rasterex up as the Main display in 1024×768, and render to a Targa+. For
AAPro, you can use the Targa+ or the 1024i at 8×6.
Your's truly has a Rasterex Liberty, Targa+, VRAM setup. It works, but it's
not for the timid.
Jay
Jay – thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for!
Dave