---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Direct Xlib 1.0 SunFLASH Vol 42 #22 June 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Product for Enhanced OpenWindows Version 3 Xlib Performance Transparently increases rendering performance for graphics intensive Xlib based applications + No change to application source code required + Ideally suited for MCAD, EDA and Visualization applications + Acceleration on GX, GXplus, GS and GT accelerators + Supports all OpenWindows Version 3 framebuffers + No charge, site-wide Right-to-Use license About Direct Xlib ------------------ Direct Xlib is a new unbundled product which improves rendering performance of graphics intensive Xlib based applications. Running Xlib benchmarks such as "x11perf" on a SPARCstation2 GX results in roughly doubled raw Xlib rendering speed for many common graphics operations, and testing with real applications has shown up to 50% faster performance in graphics operations. Direct Xlib consists of replacement dynamic and static Xlib libraries, and easy to use scripts are provided which allow Direct Xlib to be easily enabled and disabled on an application by application basis or for the whole window system. Applications which are dynamically linked to Xlib can take advantage of Direct Xlib without change, while those which are statically linked only need to be re-linked. Direct Xlib increases rendering performance by accessing graphics hardware directly using Sun's Direct Graphics Access (DGA) technology. This eliminates the overhead of the standard Xlib client-server rendering system for the case where the client and the server are on the same system. Positioning Direct Xlib Sun is offering Direct Xlib to provide increased performance to customers with graphics intensive Xlib applications. Such applications will typically be found in these industry segments: Mechanical Computer Aided Design (MCAD) Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) (especially drafting applications) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Visualization Other types of customers may also obtain some benefit from Direct Xlib, but the acceleration will not be as noticeable. XGL is still the best choice for a graphics intensive application on Sun systems, due to its high performance and functionality. In addition, several XGL based interfaces are available, including SunPHIGS, SunGKS, and other third party graphics interfaces. These XGL based interfaces all offer high graphics performance and advanced functionality in comparison to Xlib. For the application which stays with Xlib due to portability considerations or one that doesn't need XGL's advanced functionality, the use of Direct Xlib can provide a significant performance gain. FEATURES AND BENEFITS --------------------- o Direct Xlib offers increased rendering performance transparently. o Improved and competitive application response time for graphics operations and greater user productivity with a minimum of effort required for use. o Acceleration is provided when both the X windows client and X windows server are on the same system. In the remote case, standard server rendering is used instead, which results in full compatibility with standard Xlib. o No charge product includes site-wide Right-to-Use license; may be copied to all of a customer's systems. SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE CONSIDERATIONS ------------------------------------ o An application must be dynamically linked to take advantage of Direct Xlib without a re-link. o Supports SPARC (Sun4, Sun4c, Sun4m) *ONLY* o Direct Xlib 1.0 supports OpenWindows Version 3 *ONLY* o Supports SunOS 4.1.1 GFX Rev. 2 and SunOS 4.1.2 *ONLY* - Solaris 2.0 support is available in BCP mode; a future Direct Xlib release will provide native Solaris 2.0 support o Direct Xlib supports all framebuffers supported by OpenWindows 3.0 with acceleration available on GX, GXplus, GS and GT equipped systems. o Direct Xlib is not recommended for non-graphics intensive tasks or minimal memory (8 MB) configurations. o Direct Xlib is not recommended for use with 16 bit fonts such as Kanji for performance reasons. A future version of Direct Xlib will provide full support for 16 bit fonts. U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION ------------------------------------- THE FOLLOWING ITEM APPEARS ON THE END USER AND RESELLER PRICE LISTS Description Order List Discount Same Day Number Price Category Service Price =============================================================================== CD-ROM, Multiple RTU, Docs DXLIB-1.0-4-4-21 N/C N/D N/C ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS --------------------- - Order only for use with OpenWindows Version 3, SunOS 4.1.1 GFX Rev. 2 or SunOS 4.1.2 - Make sure customer has appropriate GFX, if needed: o GFX-4.1.1-02 is required to support SunOS 4.1.1 customers. CONTRACT CUSTOMERS AND UPGRADES ------------------------------- Customers with OpenWindows support contracts will receive support for Direct Xlib. There will be no automatic shipments of Direct Xlib to any customers. Those who want to receive it will need to place orders. AVAILABILITY ------------ - Direct Xlib 1.0 is quotable and orderable immediately. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, paris.cs.miami.edu, uunet.uu.net, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.