Re: [Fwd: some questions about Performer]

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From: Allan Schaffer (allan++at++sgi.com)
Date: 01/30/2002 12:12:55


Hi John,

> From: "John Breedlove" <jbreedlo++at++cs.ucf.edu>
> 1. Is the Performer 2.5 manual out anywhere? All I can find on the SGI =
> site is the 2.4 manual. I realize that not a whole lot has changed, but =
> I'd like to see what is new (and how to use it).

Yes, it's here (this is a long URL & may wrap strangely)

http://techpubs.sgi.com/library/dynaweb_bin/ebt-bin/0650/nph-infosrch.cgi/infosrchtpl/SGI_Developer/Perf_PG/++at++InfoSearch__BookTextView/8?DwebQuery=007-1680-070
 
If that URL doesn't work, go to http://techpubs.sgi.com/ and type in
the document number: 007-1680-070 -- this will take you directly to
the new programming guide.

The 2.5 guide contains 4 new sections from the 2.4 version:

   - Image-Based Rendering
   - Real-Time Shadows
   - Light Shafts
   - Cull Programs

And various other updates. More will be coming, too.

> 2. How does Performer keep the scene graph in memory? What I mean is, =
> does it keep all the information in memory, or do parts of it get =
> swapped in and out depending upon your current location? The reason I'm =
> asking is that I'm using the Linux version and I have several large =
> models which end up taking up more memory than I have available. If =
> there was some way to swap them in and out, it would probably fix the =
> problem.

'All' of the scene graph is kept in memory, but you (the programmer) can
swap various parts in & out as needed, based on your own algorithm.
On systems with multiple CPUs this can be done asyncronously in the
DBASE process. Have a look through the programming guide & info-performer
archives for "DBASE" or pfAsyncDelete.

> 3. Finally, in regards to IBRNodes - is there some function or utility =
> to take the snapshots of a 3d model to be used with an IBRNode, or is it =
> the programmer's responsibility to do that?

Everyone please thank Radomir for makeIBRimages, which makes this a breeze.
:-)

Allan

-- 
Allan Schaffer                                            allan++at++sgi.com
Engineering Manager, OpenGL Performer                    1-650-933-2160
Silicon Graphics                                     http://www.sgi.com


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