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IRIX Base Documentation 2001 May
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SGI IRIX Base Documentation 2001 May.iso
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relnotes
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performer_eoe
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2001-04-17
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1. _I_n_t_r_o_d_u_c_t_i_o_n
Welcome to the OpenGL Performer 2.4 execution-only
environment (eoe).
OpenGL Performer is a powerful and comprehensive programming
interface for developers creating real-time visual
simulation and other performance-oriented 3D graphics
applications. It simplifies development of complex
applications used for visual simulation, simulation-based
design, virtual reality, interactive entertainment,
broadcast video, architectural walk-through, and computer
aided design.
OpenGL Performer 2.4 is built atop the industry standard
OpenGL graphics library, includes both ANSI C and C++
bindings, and is available for both the IRIX operating
system and GNU/Linux. It forms the foundation of a powerful
suite of tools and features for creating real-time visual
simulation applications on IRIX & Linux systems. OpenGL
Performer 2.4 supports all Silicon Graphics running IRIX 6.2
or later, as well as IA32-based systems with Linux.
OpenGL Performer is an integral part of the InfiniteReality,
VPRO, Impact, and O2 visual simulation solutions and in
particular, provides interfaces to the advanced features of
InfiniteReality class graphics. OpenGL Performer is
compatible with all SGI graphics platforms running IRIX or
Linux, and attains maximum performance on each. OpenGL
Performer is the flexible, intuitive, toolkit-based solution
for developers who want to optimize performance on Silicon
Graphics systems.
The OpenGL Performer execution environment contains the
dynamic shared objects (DSOs) for runtime linking for
applications based on OpenGL Performer. The binary-
compatible maintenance releases of previous versions of IRIS
Performer (2.2.10, 2.1.5 and 2.0.7) are included as well.
The OpenGL Performer DSOs are identified by DSO version so
that execution environments from previous OpenGL Performer
releases can co-exist simultaneously on the same system.
This allows you to run a Performer application that was
dynamically linked with any release. The run-time IRIX
linker, rld, will automatically select the proper DSO to run
any given Performer application. Similar arrangement is
made on Linux systems as well.
OpenGL Performer 2.4 contains many new features for
supporting programmable shading, multi-texture, anisotropic
filter, layered and patchy fog, rotorwash, and other
advanced graphics features, as well as many important
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architectural enhancements. The OpenGL Performer 2.4 for
Linux release now also supports multiprocessing, frame
accurate real-time control, and contains performance
optimizations for SGI Linux workstations.
To get further acquainted with the new features of OpenGL
Performer 2.4 we recommend that you read the main OpenGL
Performer man page ("man performer") and that you install
and check out the following demonstrations _p_e_r_f_l_y, the basic
OpenGL Performer viewer, _c_l_i_p_f_l_y, _a_s_d_f_l_y, _f_o_g_f_l_y, _r_o_t_o_r_w_a_s_h
and many new sample programs (See Chapter 2 of these release
notes for installation information).
OpenGL Performer consists of our main library, _l_i_b_p_f, three
associated utility libraries, _l_i_b_p_f_d_u, _l_i_b_p_f_u_i, and
_l_i_b_p_f_u_t_i_l, and libraries for loading databases of different
file formats that are part of the _l_i_b_p_f_d_b collection.
Note: These release notes apply to the OpenGL Performer 2.4
for IRIX product only. OpenGL Performer 2.4 for
Linux release notes are available on the Linux
product CD, and are installed to /_u_s_r/_d_o_c/_p_e_r_f_o_r_m_e_r-
_2._4.
Note: Packaged with these release notes is a separate sheet
that contains the Software License Agreement. This
software is provided to you solely under the terms
and conditions of the Software License Agreement.
Please take a few moments to review the Agreement.
This document contains the following chapters:
1. Introduction
2. Installation Information
3. Database Loaders
4. Known Problems and Workarounds
5. Differences Between OpenGL Performer Releases
1.1 _R_e_l_e_a_s_e__I_d_e_n_t_i_f_i_c_a_t_i_o_n__I_n_f_o_r_m_a_t_i_o_n
Following is the release identification information for
OpenGL Performer:
OpenGL Performer
SSSSooooffffttttwwwwaaaarrrreeee OOOOppppttttiiiioooonnnn PPPPrrrroooodddduuuucccctttt
2.4
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VVVVeeeerrrrssssiiiioooonnnn
PPPPrrrroooodddduuuucccctttt CCCCooooddddeeee
M4-PERF-2.4
(manuals)
PPPPrrrroooodddduuuucccctttt CCCCooooddddeeee
4D1-6.2 or later.
SSSSyyyysssstttteeeemmmm SSSSooooffffttttwwwwaaaarrrreeee RRRReeeeqqqquuuuiiiirrrreeeemmmmeeeennnnttttssss
This OpenGL Performer 2.4 execution environment contains
DSOs for the new 2.4 release and compatibility DSOs that are
binary compatible with the IRIS Performer 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2
releases.
1.2 _O_n_-_L_i_n_e__R_e_l_e_a_s_e__N_o_t_e_s
After you install the on-line documentation for a product
(the _r_e_l_n_o_t_e_s subsystem), you can view the release notes on
your screen.
If you have a graphics system, select "Release Notes" from
the Tools submenu of the Toolchest. This displays the
_g_r_e_l_n_o_t_e_s(1) graphical browser for the on-line release
notes.
Refer to the _g_r_e_l_n_o_t_e_s(1) man page for information on
options to this command.
1.3 _P_r_o_d_u_c_t__S_u_p_p_o_r_t
Silicon Graphics, Inc., provides a comprehensive product
support maintenance program for its products.
If you are in North America and would like support for your
Silicon Graphics-supported products, contact the Technical
Assistance Center at
1-800-800-4SGI.
If you are outside North America, contact the Silicon
Graphics subsidiary or authorized distributor in your
country.
1.4 _G_e_t_t_i_n_g__O_p_e_n_G_L__P_e_r_f_o_r_m_e_r
The OpenGL Performer execution environment is provided to
allow the execution of OpenGL Performer applications without
separately purchasing the full OpenGL Performer product.
You may still want to buy the full product for its
development environment, tools, demos, sample applications,
and databases.
OpenGL Performer includes sample application source code
ranging from simple programs to illustrate particular
features to the comprehensive, GUI-driven file viewer
_p_e_r_f_l_y. In addition to these SGI-developed tools, OpenGL
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Performer also includes a very large repository of sample
code, databases, games, and movies contributed by the
_F_r_i_e_n_d_s _o_f _P_e_r_f_o_r_m_e_r: companies and individuals with
services of general interest to the OpenGL Performer
community.
To find out more about OpenGL Performer visit our web page
at _h_t_t_p://_w_w_w._s_g_i._c_o_m/_s_o_f_t_w_a_r_e/_p_e_r_f_o_r_m_e_r/.
To purchase a copy of OpenGL Performer contact SGI Direct at
1-800-800-7441 or your local sales office.