From: Allan Schaffer (allan++at++sgi.com)
Date: 01/30/2004 15:53:06
Hello Performers,
SGI is very pleased to announce, OpenGL Performer 3.1 is now released!
The web downloads for IRIX, Linux, and Windows OS platforms are all
available. Please visit the Performer web site:
<http://www.sgi.com/software/performer/>
Here's some of what's new for Performer 3.1. Check it out:
OpenGL Performer 3.1 now uses run-time licensing in all versions (IRIX,
Linux, and Windows) based upon a FlexLM license key. The demo edition
available for free web download adds a "Powered by OpenGL Performer" banner
to the display.
Parametric Curves & Surfaces - New node types have been added
corresponding to the opRep class heirarchy of OpenGL Optimizer(tm). This
includes support for 2d & 3d curve & surface types and related classes.
The PFB, CSB, and Inventor loaders have been updated to support the
new data types. Pseudoloaders exist to modify tesselation parameters at load
time. Many other utilities and samples have been added.
Subdivision surfaces - The new node type pfSubdivSurface has been
added for Loop and Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces. A subdivision surface
is specified by a control mesh consisting of a set of connected faces,
usually triangles or quads. The control mesh is stored as a pfMesh.
Support for Vertex & Fragment Programs - Vertex programs and
Fragment programs are used by the GPU to modify various parameters of each
vertex or fragment (pixel), respectively, as they are being rendered. Such
programs are a sequence of assembly-like instructions defined by the
GL_ARB_vertex_program and GL_ARB_fragment_program extensions to OpenGL.
OpenGL Performer 3.1 supports these extensions using the new state elements
pfVertexProgram and pfFragmentProgram. In addition, the class
pfGProgramParms is used to set changing parameters used by the programs.
Clip-Texture Emulation - A new implementation of Clip-Texture
emulation has been added. The new emulation mode overcomes most of the
limitations of the basic emulation mode, such as texture scintillation and
geometry tessellation requirements. This new mode is automatically selected
on systems with ARB_fragment_program support. The basic cliptexture
emulation mode is selected on all other platforms (except on
InfiniteReality, where hardware cliptextures are used).
pfGeoArray : Vertex Array support - The pfGeoArray (short for
"Geometry Array") is a new OpenGL Performer data structure aimed at
replacing the existing pfGeoSet. GeoArrays allow the user to define new sets
of attributes, in addition to the standard vertex coordinates, normals,
texture coordinates, or colors. These attributes can be used by vertex or
fragment programs applied to the primitives (see pfVertexProgram and
pfFragmentProgram). Also, GeoArrays are rendered using vertex arrays and
vertex objects making the rendering much more efficient. pfGeoArray can be
up to 10 times faster than pfGeoSet.
Small object culling - Small object culling is an automatic
Level-of-Detail technique which removes objects from the scene whose
projected size (in screen space) is less than a user-defined threshold. This
can be added in user programs as a Cull Program, and 'perfly' now includes a
"Cull Smaller Than" slider in the FOV panel.
Maya Exporter - The Maya Exporter is a plug-in for Maya 4.5 that
exports Maya content to OpenGL Performer PFA and PFB file formats. The
exporter currently supports basic geometry and state, as well as polygon
meshes, nurbs and subdivision surfaces.
CATIA V4 converter - The "cat2pfb" utility provides a run-time
conversion from CATIA V4 format files to Performer PFB. CATIA V4 must be
installed to use the converter.
All of these new features are described in greater detail in the product
release notes, on the web site, and in the on-line programming guides.
See http://www.sgi.com/software/performer/manuals.html for more information.
Ordering & Upgrade Info:
OpenGL Performer 3.1 licenses are available for purchase immediately.
Contact your SGI sales rep or SGI telesales for any ordering assistance.
Licenses are available in 1, 5, 10, and 50-license quantities. Custom
license arrangements are also available.
Users who have purchased previous versions of OpenGL Performer and have a
valid support contract are entitled to an upgrade to Performer 3.1. Please
contact your support provider for details.
If you have purchased Performer previously and did not also purchase a
support contract, now would be the ideal time to do so! Support contracts
cost only a fraction of the base Performer price, and the upgrade entitlement
alone will result in a significant savings compared to the price of new
licenses. Not to mention that you'll also get a year of SGI telephone support!
We are eager to hear your feedback and to get early word about your
experience with OpenGL Performer 3.1. Please send comments & feedback to
this address:
performer-feedback++at++sgi.com
We hope you'll enjoy the new version!
Thanks,
The Performer Team at SGI
-- Allan Schaffer allan++at++sgi.com Engr. Manager, Core Rendering 1-650-933-2160 Silicon Graphics http://www.sgi.com
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