---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash XGL 3.0 SunFLASH Vol 51 #18 March 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ************************************************************************* * - Reduced Prices * * Solaris XGL 3.0 Developers Kit now only $495USD! * * * * - Tightly integrated with OpenWindows Version 3 * * * * - Support for the Solaris 2.1 * * * * - Loads of new features * * * * - Supports all Sun SPARC processor-based systems * * with color frame buffers * * * ************************************************************************* Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (TM) (SMCC) announces the availabilty of Solaris (R) XGL (TM) 3.0, a high performance, immediate mode graphics environment for Solaris 2.1. The Solaris XGL 3.0 Graphics Library is a foundation library providing the common functions required by all 2D and 3D geometry-based graphics applications. It is a software library for APIs and applications that defines how graphics functions, such as display, transformation, lighting, shading and other advanced geometric and graphic manipulations are performed. The XGL library is a low-level software layer fitting between higher-level programming interfaces and system hardware, which supports optional graphics accelerators and frame buffers - XGL is a mature, full featured, high-performance geometry library. - XGL enables applications and APIs to run transparently from PCs to high-end graphics workstations. - XGL is the only graphics library offering high performance, immediate-mode rendering and a loadable pipeline architecture. - XGL is a building block for Solaris Open Graphics, supporting all key graphics APIs: PHIGS, PEX, GKS, HOOPS, GL and Open GL. FEATURES AND BENEFITS --------------------- New Features in XGL 3.0 Feature Benefit -------------------------------- --------------------------------- o Loadable pipelines Delivering Open Graphics to Hardware vendors o -New technology for NURBS curves Greater accuracy and realism in 3-D -Support for Texture mapping modeling -Transparency attributes -Sub-pixel accurate 3D rendering o Accumulation buffer Enable for new effects and next generation hardware o Support for Stereo-capable devices Enable 3-D realistic modeling and Virtual Reality o Better looking stroke fonts. Better display output o ANSI-C compliance. Easier development HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS ------------------------------------ o XGL 3.0 Runtime binaries are bundled with the Solaris 2.1 operating system. o The Solaris XGL 3.0 ISV Development Kit is available separately. o Systems supported: Any Sun (TM) SPARC (R) processor-based system running Solaris 2.1 or later and OpenWindows (TM) Version 3. o Software support of Graphics Accelerators FCS quality: XGL 3.0 supports the following Sun frame buffers, accelerators and device pipelines: cg3 and cg8, GX and GX+, Xlib, memory rasters. Developer's release: XGL 3.0 also contains pipelines for the GS and GT accelerators as early access releases to future FCS support. o No SunOS (TM) 4.x support ROADMAP FOR THE FUTURE ------------------------------------ The future releases of XGL will coincide with releases of the Solaris operating system. The next release of XGL, XGL 3.0.1, will offer the following: - Bug fixes - Performance improvements. - Full implementation of SW pipeline emulations. - FCS PEX support (Server and pipeline). - FCS support for the GS accelerator. - Beta support for the GT accelerator. XGL 2.0 ------- o XGL 2.0 is supported on SunOS 4.X systems only and will continue to be listed on the End User and Reseller price lists. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS --------------------- Q: Will XGL work on MIT X11 servers or X terminals? A: XGL will call Xlib when used with non-OpenWindows servers, allowing XGL to render to any X11 server. Rendering will be much faster on a OpenWindows based machine, where XGL can take advantage of DGA technology to get maximum acceleration. Q: What is the difference between the developers environment and the runtime environment? A: The developers environment is meant for customers that will be creating applications, while the runtime environment is provided to all users to ease applications deployment. Q: Will XGL 2.0 run on SVR4? A: XGL 2.0 will work on SVR4 in Binary Compatibility mode only. This is not recommended, and some XGL applications may not work. It is recommended that the application port to SVR4 and XGL 3.0. Q: What will be required for applications moving from XGL 2.0 to XGL 3.0? A: Applications moving from SunOS 4.x to Solaris 2.1 will require changes. The changes dealing with XGL 2.0 to XGL 3.0 migration are fairly straightforward. A small script is included with XGL 3.0 that will help highlight code that needs to be changed when porting from XGL 2.0 to XGL 3.0 Q: Is XGL licensable? A: Yes. U.S. PRICING AND INFORMATON --------------------------- THE FOLLOWING APPEAR ON BOTH THE END USER AND RESELLER PRICE LISTS. Order List Discount Description Number Price Category Enhancements ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- XGL 3.0 CD ROM and Doc XGL-P $ 495 A $15 XGL 3.0 Doc set only XGL-D $ 245 A N/A XGL Single user license XGL-L $ 395 A $15 (quantity 1) AVAILABILITY ------------ o XGL 3.0 is available now. (c) 1993 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation, XGL, Solaris, OpenWindows, and SunOS are tradmarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All SPRAC trademarks, including the SCD Compliant Logo, are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, ftp.uu.net, sunsite.unc.edu, 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@Sun.COM. +1 305 351 4909.