I am talking about preview mode to test geometry, placements, sizes and
so on (see my original post). I am aware that it is not possible to recreate
the exact picture with OpenGL or Direct3D. But we can approximate :-).
We can simulate complex shapes with basic ones.

Sometimes I need rather crude picture but I can't use small previews
because my picture consists of a number of small objects. In this case
what I need is _raw speed_.

I know about future convergence between OpenGL and DirectX and I
welcome it. But they will be distinct at least for 5 more years: first
commercial version of low-level API is scheduled on Y2K and it will
need some polish (you can trust me on that :-) ) and don't forget about
legacy UNIX systems which will support good old OpenGL for their
lifetime :-).

Eugene

Jon S. Berndt wrote in message <34A50D56.A31FDCF9@hal-pc.org>...
>Eugene Lazutkin wrote:
>
>> I agree with you 100%. OpenGL can help a lot when someone debugs a
>> geometrically complex scene (placements, geometry, sizes) when it is
>> not practical to use small previews. It may not help to test lights
>> and
>> textures but anyway it will be _very_ useful piece of functionality.
>>
>> My wish list for future versions of POV-Ray:
>>
>> General: OpenGL preview and multiprocessor capabilities.
>> Windows-specific: (possibly) Direct3D preview, full MMX support.
>>
>> Reasons: I see OpenGL and DirectX as the only reasonable way to
>> support
>> platform-specific hardware- (and software-) assisted acceleration. All
>> new
>> processors are MMX-capable and it is a crime not to use accelerating
>> facilities for computing power-hungry apps :-). Now when memory prices
>> are
>> going down and Intel processors are dirt cheap, it is practical and
>> inexpensive
>> to have a dual processor computer under NT or whatever you like. There
>> is
>> a number of multiprocessor UNIX computers out there. A lot of people
>> buy
>> dual-processor motherboards counting on future upgrades by adding
>> second
>> CPU. I believe it should be supported eventually.
>>
>> Eugene
>
>Note that as far as I know OpenGL has no good way to do CSG - and some
>other correspondences between OpenGL and POV language do not relate.
>Also, as for OpenGL and DirectX, Microsoft and SGI have just announced
>they will work together with their two respective technologies to merge
>them into a better standard for 3D on the PC. Read their release at
>microsoft.com or opengl.org or sgi.com. The people I have talked with,
>and myself, think this is a great move.
>
>OpenGL previews would most likely be limited to basic shapes, in my
>opinion.
>
>jon
>

Post a reply to this message