CompuServe Thread

Genoa 8500VL w/CL-GD5428

15 messages in this thread
#127117From: RichOct 4, 1994 3:13 PM
Does anyone know if there are VIBRANT drivers for this chip??? The 542x setting doesn't recognize the board. I'm using RCPADI currently but would like to see the difference.
#127170From: Tom BunzelOct 4, 1994 9:11 PM
Same board, same problem. Tried VESA too. I will try RCPADI now.
#127396From: RichOct 5, 1994 11:29 PM
RCPADI works really well, just be sure to follow the instructions carefully. The mention editing a couple of lines in 3DS.cfg, do just as it says and you'll be set.
#127519From: Tom BunzelOct 6, 1994 3:12 PM
I tried it and screwedit up. I will give it another shot. Thanks.
#127257From: Forcade & AssociatesOct 5, 1994 10:21 AM
>>Does anyone know if there are VIBRANT drivers for this chip??? The 542x setting doesn't recognize the board. I'm using RCPADI currently but would like to see the difference.<< Richard, I have been using this card with the Vibrant drivers for around a year. I use the Genoa 8500 setting in vibrant and it works fine. What problems are you experiencing? Terry Gilbert Forcade & Associates
#127397From: RichOct 5, 1994 11:29 PM
>> I have been using this card with the Vibrant drivers for around a year. I use the Genoa 8500 setting in vibrant and it works fine. What problems are you experiencing? << Well, it doesn't even acknowledge that the card it there. It gives me a message that I've selected the wrong driver for my card. If I let it auto detect it reads Unknown….
#127450From: David J. MarksOct 6, 1994 9:18 AM
>> it doesn't even acknowledge that the card it there. I'm afraid this won't help too much, but I'm running the same card with no problem. However, I do remember running into an occasional problem when I first got the card. Since I didn't document the problem, ("Oh, good, it works. I'll remember that for next time!" – Yeah, right…) I don't remember what the problem was. I'd say check 4 things. 1. Make sure you have the most recent Vibrant drivers. 2. In your memory manager, exclude the ROM addresses for your video bios. 3. Make sure no VESA TSR is being loaded (from your old card, for instance) 4. Try the SYNC program on your Genoa disk to initialize the card. Just some ideas… Like I said, mine works now, but there was a time that it occassionally didn't. Good luck!
#127825From: RichOct 7, 1994 9:59 PM
Thanks for the ideas! I don't think I have the latest drivers so I'll grab them from here and take it from there.
#127956From: RichOct 9, 1994 9:34 AM
Talk about timing….. I downloaded the new Vibrant drivers that have been recently added and all is well now. What exactly is the difference between RCPADI and Vibrant? Rendering speed? Display speed? Thanks to those who responded!
#128028From: David J. MarksOct 9, 1994 10:39 PM
>> all is well now. Excellent. Glad to here it all worked out. Re: differences between RCPADI and Vibrant, I'm not sure of all the specifics. I'd better let someone else comment.
#128090From: Jonas Ruikis [ADESK]Oct 10, 1994 9:14 AM
Richard, << What exactly is the difference between RCPADI and Vibrant? >> RCPADI uses a packet style interface initially conceived for ACAD. The Vibrant In-Line drivers use hooks that are integrated deeper into the 3DS core and I believe use a more robust method of data passing. Maybe Gary will elaborate a bit here..? jonas[adesk]
#128755From: RichOct 13, 1994 12:19 AM
>> RCPADI uses a packet style interface initially conceived for ACAD. The Vibrant In-Line drivers use hooks that are integrated deeper into the 3DS core and I believe use a more robust method of data passing. << So in other words the Vibrant drivers are better optimized for 3D Studio operation. Sounds good to me….
#128610From: Oct 12, 1994 2:27 PM
>Talk about timing….. I downloaded the new Vibrant drivers that have been >recently added and all is well now. What exactly is the difference between >RCPADI and Vibrant? Rendering speed? Display speed? The Inline driver uses a proprietary interface which is functional based instead of packet-based like ADI. The primary reasons/advantages are – (1) ADI has no support needed by the FLIC playing module. The R1/R2 releases of 3D studio had 'auto-detecting' code for this which resulted in LOTS of problems because the 'auto-detect' code couldn't properly recognize and use many of the video boards on the market. (Those of you who remember know that this was a BIG deal for users of boards like the Diamond Speedstar 24… The only resolution flic that could be universally played back was 320×200). (2) 24-bit color access was not supported by ADI for anything other than 'RENDERING' devices. This means that using Vibrant allows a true 24-bit color Materials Display. Users of ADI will notice that even in 24-bit color modes, switching the active material viewport remaps the palette. (3) Performance. ADI's packet structure is slower than direct calls. Also, ADI drivers reside in their own segment, resulting in 'FAR' calls and memory access. Vibrant resides in the same memory segment as 3D Studio, so all calls and data-passing is 'NEAR'. This makes for a much faster interface. (4) Robustness. ADI was bascially 'adapted' for 3D Studio and is primary driven to support AutoCAD. There are lots of weird nuances with the way AutoCAD uses ADI, so 3D Studio couldn't duplicate them all. Making an ADI driver FULLY work with 3D Studio is not a trivial matter–we spent a year of work keeping our ADI driver up with R1 and R2's usage. The Inline is a simple, clean interface for 3D Studio and there are no hidden problems with the operation of the driver. Also, our draw-code is being used by drivers for AutoCAD, 3D Studio, Microstation, Cadkey, and Animator Pro, and most of it has been in production for years. (5) Configuration. ADI's configuration was dependant upon the vendor who developed it and many were VERY difficult to get setup correctly. Vibrant's Inline driver has an integrated configuration which covers 90% of all users. (6) Support. The Vibrant Inline Driver supports hundreds of cards out of the box with 3D Studio with very extensive resolution and color-depth support. Chuck Walbourn – Vibrant Graphics
#128615From: Yost GroupOct 12, 1994 2:58 PM
Very well said, Chuck. Thanks. – G
#127459From: Forcade & AssociatesOct 6, 1994 10:03 AM
Richard, I suspect that David is correct. It sounds like there may be some outside conflict that is preventing the vibrant driver from accessing the card. do any other programs with drivers specific to this card work? What version of the vibrant driver do you have? Terry Gilbert Forcade & Associates