And so it begins... The Origin of StormMesa		Minimal Requirements Features Contact

And so it begins...

In spring 1998 the software StormMesa 2.0 was released, which provided the possibility to run OpenGL applications on the AMIGA. It was the only OpenGL compatible graphics library at that time, which also provided support for PowerPC processors, so that it was possible to achieve a high performance.

But OpenGL has extreme hardware requirements, and often the fastest CPU's can't deliver enough power. What is known from other platforms also applies to the AMIGA platform: to run OpenGL applications in reasonable performance, a fast 3D graphics board is a must.

Up to now it was hardly possible to add 3D hardware support to OpenGL implementations for the AMIGA: there was simply no powerful driver software. And this changes now. With 'Warp3D' a hardware-independent driver system is available which is so powerful, that it is possible to use almost every OpenGL features with 3D hardware, if the hardware provides the features.

As a logical consequence a new StormMesa version was developed, which contains a driver for Warp3D. Now it is possible to run OpenGL applications with never-seen performance on the AMIGA. Besides that a lot of other improvements were done to the StormMesa software.

Now, StormMesa 3.0 is finally ready. Have a lot of fun while testing all those demo programs, which are available.

The Origin of StormMesa

StormMesa V3.0 is a 3D graphics library which is almost completely OpenGL compatible. This library is freely distributable under the GNU Public License. The GPL can be found in the MESA distribution archive (file 'LICENSE').

StormMesa V3.0 is based on MESA 3.0 beta 8 by Brian Paul. More information on MESA can be found on the WWW at 'http://www.mesa3d.org' or in the MESA distribution archive 'README' file.

StormMesa V3.0 is based on AMesa V1.6 by Stefan Zivkovic. In the MESA distribution archive the file 'README.AMIGA' can be found, which contains information on StormMesa V1.6.

Together with StormMESA V3.0, an implementation of GLUT 3.7 is provided. Information about GLUT can be found on the official GLUT homepage.

Minimal requirements for StormMesa 3.0

• 68040 or 68060 with FPU or any PowerPC processor.
• The PowerPC version requires that the WarpUp software from Haage&Partner is installed. This software is free software, which can be downloaded on the WWW at 'www.haage-partner.com'.
• For 3D accelerator support, the driver software 'Warp3D' has to be installed (free software, can be downloaded on the WWW under 'www.haage-partner.com' at the 3DWorld sites).
• In general OS 2.0 is required.
• The fullscreen mode requires at least OS 3.0.
• The AGA mode requires at least OS 3.0. For the fullscreen mode under AGA and OS 3.0, the patch 'NewWPA8' has to be installed. This patchis part of the StormMesa distribution.

Recommended is a PowerPC processor, OS3.1, graphics board and a big amount of memory. Also very recommended is a powerful 3D accelerator.

Features of StormMesa 3.0

(new 3.0 features are written in italics)

• Almost completely OpenGL compatible. TheGL 1.2 API is supported
• 68040 and 68060 processors (with FPU) as well as all PowerPC processors are supported.
• Arbitrary 3D hardware is supported, if the driver system 'Warp3D' is installed and if a driver for the particular 3D hardware is present.
• StormMesa 3.0 is provided as shared libraries for both processors.
• Works with AGA as well as with graphics boards unter CyberGFX or Picasso96. Support of 8/15/16/24/32 bit modes, it doesn't matter if the RGBA mode is used or the index mode.The support of AGA and CyberGFX has been strongly improved compared to StormMesa 2.0.
• The graphics output on 8 bit screens is improved strongly by dithering.The dithering has been improved strongly compared to StormMesa 2.0.
• Support of window mode and fullscreen mode.
• Support of V39 multibuffering through the 'intuition' functions. This allows to use even menus in fullscreen mode.
• High performance due to many ASM optimizations.
• An almost complete implementation of the GLUT 3.7 API is provided for StormMesa 3.0 as shared libraries for both processor types. This allows to compile a lot of OpenGL demos for AMIGA almost without any changes.
• A lot of precompiled demos are provided for both processor types.
• An AMIGA version of the famous OpenGL benchmark 'Viewperf' is provided for both processor types.

StormMesa V3.0 was compiled with the StormC compiler and assembled with the PhxAss (68K) and Storm-PowerASM (PowerPC) assemblers.

Contact

Whenever questions to StormMesa appear, we will enjoy to answer them. We will also be happy about reactions of any kind, for example suggestions for improvements, ideas for enhancements, criticisms.
 

s.jordan@haage-partner.com