From: Allan Schaffer (allan++at++sgi.com)
Date: 12/01/2004 15:28:14
Hello Performers,
SGI is very pleased to announce, OpenGL Performer 3.2 is now released!
The web downloads for IRIX, 32-bit and 64-bit Linux, and Windows OS
platforms are all available. Please visit the Performer web site:
<http://www.sgi.com/software/performer/>
The Demo Edition of Performer 3.2 is available as a free web
download. An SGI Supportfolio membership is required to access the
download site. If you don't already have an SGI Supportfolio account
you can sign up for free.
Here's some of what's new for Performer 3.2. Check it out:
- Support for the Silicon Graphics Prism, SGI's Visualization
System for 64-bit Linux
OpenGL Performer 3.2 provides support for the Silicon Graphics
Prism, SGI's groundbreaking visualization system combining the
world-leading Linux scalability found in the SGI Altix high
performance server products with Intel Itanium 2 processors and
ATI graphics processors.
- Support for OpenGL 2.0 and the GLSL
OpenGL Performer 3.2 provides two new classes, pfShaderProgram
and pfShaderObject, which encapsulate the functionality
associated with the vertex and fragment programs used by the
GLSL. A pfShaderObject is represented by a string containing
the shader source code and a shader type. A collection of
pfShaderObjects can be assembled to form a valid
pfShaderProgram, which can then be used as a state element used
by pfGeoState via the PFSTATE_SHADPROG attribute.
- New Scene Graph Optimizer functions in libpfdu
The new functions pfdMergeGraph, pfdStripGraph, and
pfdSpatializeGraph provide a powerful pipeline of operations to
reformat and optimize the OpenGL Performer scene graph for peak
performance on a given hardware platform. Optimizations include
re-stripping all primitives, reordering to improve cache reuse,
merging short triangle strips, and several steps to properly
spatialize the graph. A new "gopt" psuedoloader is also
provided to enable these optimizations without code changes.
- Reworked pfCompositor API
The SGI Scalable Graphics Compositor option is a hardware device
that combines multiple video inputs to produce a single video
output. The video inputs can be divided spatially or blended
together to form the final image. The pfCompositor API has been
completely revamped in support of the SGI Scalable Graphics
Compositor option for Silicon Graphics Onyx4 UltimateVision and
Silicon Graphics Prism systems.
- Reworked pfGeoArray API
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 many times
faster than pfGeoSet. In OpenGL Performer 3.2, the pfGeoArray
API has been revamped to reflect design improvements for the
use of shaders and other libpr objects.
- Alias Maya Exporter Enhancements
The Alias Maya exporter has been enhanced in OpenGL Performer
3.2. It now supports Maya versions 4.5 and 6.0, provides
limited export capability for animation and camera motion, and
can recover topology information in models composed of NURBS
and other parametric surfaces.
- Topology Builder
A new topology generation utility "topobuilder" has been
added. This utility can automatically detect shared boundaries
between adjacent surfaces.
These new features are described in greater detail in the product
release notes, on the web site, and in the on-line programming
guides.
Ordering & Upgrade Info:
OpenGL Performer 3.2 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.
ISVs with OSD (OEM-style) license agreements: we will be in contact
with you individually for your Performer 3.2 update.
Users who have purchased previous versions of OpenGL Performer and
have a valid support contract are entitled to an upgrade to Performer
3.2. 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 3.2. 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. Dept. Manager, Visual Systems Group 1-650-933-2160 Silicon Graphics http://www.sgi.com
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