QuickDraw 3D is a cross platform 3D graphics library developed by Apple Computer. Enclosed, you will find the 1.0.3 release of QuickDraw 3D for MacOS™.
QuickDraw 3D goes beyond providing 3D graphics, it provides an integrated solution both for the end user and for developers. QuickDraw 3D encompasses a standard file format (3DMF), acceleration layer, input architecture, high level geometries, and extensibility.
QuickDraw 3D is a shared library for PowerPC™ based computers running the MacOS. The API is in C, with support for development using C++. QuickDraw 3D allows for immediate mode and retained rendering. The API is object based and provides a large number of geometry types. The file format accomodates both text and binary modes, with encoding for endianess so that files can be transported to other platforms.
Roadmap to the enclosed folders
Development - This folder contains the headers, link libraries, source code for a 3DMF parser, and the debugging version of QuickDraw 3D to be used during your development process.
Samples - This folder contains sample code to help you get started developing applications, sample models, and sample applications.
Documentation - This folder contains the electronic version of the documentation, as well as the QuickDraw 3D database for the Toolbox Assistant and the 3DMF file format specification.
QuickDraw™ 3D - This folder contains the 1.0.3 release of QuickDraw 3D as it is available to end users.
Please read the Developers' Notes file in the Development folder for vital information needed during the development cycle.
New for 1.0.3
QAL
In the Development folder we have included the SDK for the acceleration layer (QuickDraw 3D Acceleration Layer - QAL). This will be of interest to those developing accelerator cards.
3Debug
Also in the Development folder, you will find a debugger to use during the development of QuickDraw 3D applications. It allows you to visualize all QuickDraw 3D objects, helping in the leak detection process and to identify bad objects.
Samples
Mesh picking and custom attributes samples are included. Sample code has been revised and updated where needed.
How to contact Apple Computer
Please report bugs to AppleLink:
APPLE.BUGS (APPLE.BUGS@AppleLink.apple.com)
If you are a member of one of Apple's developer programs, you may be eligible for code level technical support if you are in our Partner of Associates Plus programs. For details on developer programs, and to send in your questions, please send mail to AppleLink:
DEVSUPPORT (DEVSUPPORT@AppleLink.apple.com)
If you are developing a cool 3D application and you want to tell Apple about it, please tell us about it by sending mail to
QUICKDRAW.3D (QUICKDRAW.3D@AppleLink.apple.com)
Apple Computer's 3D technologies evangelist, Shawn Hopwood (S.HOPWOOD@AppleLink.apple.com) is eager to work with developers. Contact Shawn with details of your product.
We have other self help technical support resources. Check out your favorite online forum to ask questions. Members of the QuickDraw 3D team check the usenet news group comp.sys.mac.graphics, and also QuickDraw 3D talk boards on AppleLink and eWorld. Our Web page is http://www.info.apple.com/qd3d/
Thanks for choosing QuickDraw 3D, and good luck with your development efforts!!