The OxygenTM RPM
Graphics Accelerator
User’s Guide
3Dlabs, Inc.
480 Potrero Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
408 - 530 - 4700
www.3dlabs.com
Copyright 1998, 3Dlabs, Inc. All rights reserved.
3Dlabs, GLINT, and the 3Dlabs logo are registered trademarks, and Ox ygen and Power Threads are
trademarks of 3Dlabs, Inc. Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel. OpenGL is a registered trademark of
Silicon Graphics, Inc. Softim age and So ftimage 3D are reg istered tradem arks of Softimag e, Inc. Micro soft and
Windows NT are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and registered
trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
Caution: Changes or modifications to the Oxygen graphics accelerator card not expressly approved by 3Dlabs,
Inc. void the user’s warranty.
FCC Notice: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. The s e limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy. If product is not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, it may cause
harmful interference to radio communications; however, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipme nt does cau s e harm ful int erfere n ce to radio or telev isio n recept ion ,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encou ra ged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
1. Re-orient or relocate the receiv in g antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
4. Consult 3Dlabs or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance.
Compliance with FCC Rules requ ire s th at a shie lde d cab le be u sed to co nn ect to o th er eq ui pm ent. This device
complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1) this device
may not cause harmful interference, and 2) this device must accept any in terference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
This Class B digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian Interference -Causin g Equ ip men t
Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matérial
brouilleur du Canada.
3Dlabs, Inc. makes no representation that the use of its products in the manner described in this publication
will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do descriptions contained in this publication imply the
granting of licenses to make, use, or sell equipment or software in acco rdance with the description.
There are no warranties impl ied b y this o wn er’s guide. Any warranties granted by 3Dlabs, Inc. with respe ct to
the product described herein were granted th rou g h a separa te OEM or reseller ag ree men t. No respon sib ility is
assumed for the use or reliability of sof t ware o n equipm e nt that is no t sup pli ed by 3Dla b s, Inc . or its af filiated
companies.
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Welcome to 3Dlabs! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi
Oxygen RPM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Software Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Chapter 1 - Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Getting Ready. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Before You Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installing Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
To remove an old card from your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
To install your Oxygen RPM card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installing Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
To install your Oxygen RPM software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Registering Oxygen RPM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
To register over the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chapter 2 - Software Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Oxygen RPM Driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Information Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Setup Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
OpenGL Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chapter 3 - Troubleshooting & Technical Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Monitors and Display Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Systems and Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Reaching Technical Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
iii
Chapter 4 - Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Terms and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Appendix A - Oxygen RPM Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
General Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Supported Resolutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Appendix B - Warranty and Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Three (3) Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Limits and Exclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Software License Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Software License and Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Limited Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Restricted Rights Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Appendix C - Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
iv Oxygen User’s Guide
Introduction
Welcome to 3Dlabs!
Welcome to 3Dlabs!
Thank you for selecting a 3Dlabs® Oxygen™ RPM 3D graphics accelerator card!
Oxygen delivers a high-performance power boost to the complex 3D graphics
applications running on Windows NT systems. The huge design files – with
millions of triangles – create d with the se applications can challenge even multipleprocessor systems. Oxygen RPM cards merge the power of your system processor
with an integrated hardware and software solution to accelerate the geometryrelated calculations needed to create these triangles. Optimized software drivers
support the OpenGL 1.1 specification in order to accelerate visual computing,
MCAD and digital content creation applications based on the OpenGL standard.
Oxygen RPM
2
1
3
3
6
4
5
4
The Oxygen RPM card features:
• Dual RPM Rendering and Texturing processors
Multiple processors let you manipulate several 3D primitives in parallel.
• 64 MB memory
A unified memory architectur e dynamically allocates graphics memory for
the features you need for your MCAD or DCC applications.
1. Primary monitor connector
2. Secondary monitor connector
3. Dual RAMDACs
4. Dual RPM processors
5. Memory
6. AGP connector
• PowerThreads technolog y
PowerThreads significantly boosts 3D graphics performance in multiprocessor systems. This 3D sof twar e technology is application i ndependent
vi 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
System Requirements
and ensures seamless acceleration of even single-threaded 3D
applications.
• 1,600 x 1,200 true-color maximum resolution
RPM supports true color resolutions from 800x600 up to 1,600x1,200 at a
variety of refresh rates.
• Dual monitor support
The dual RAMDACs let you drive two monitors from a single Oxygen RPM
card, delivering seamless performance across one 2,048 x 768 (maximum
resolution) desktop.
System Requirements
Your system must have the following features in order to support your card:
•Pentium® II (or later) based system
®
•Windows
• 128 MB RAM (Random Access Memory)
NT 4.0 (or later) operating system
• 512 K level 2 cache minimum
• 3 MB minimum available hard drive space
•AGP slot
• VGA multisync monitor
Introduction vii
Software Part ne rs
Software Partners
Your Oxygen RPM card has been tested with a variety of graphics software
packages, several of which are listed below. As testing continues and performance
optimizations are made, the results and techniques are posted on the 3Dlabs, as
well as the appropriate software partner’s, web site.
Software Application Web Site Address
3D Studio MAX http://www.ktx.com
Lightscape http://www.lightscape.com
LightWave 3D http://www.newtek.com
Maya http://www.aw.sgi.com
MicroStation http://www.bentley.com
Pro/ENGINEER http://www.ptc.com
SDRC I-DEAS http://www.sdrc.com
Softimage | 3D http://www.softimage.com
SolidWorks http://www.solidworks.com
Unigraphics http://www.ug.eds.com/ug/
viii 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
Chapter 1 - Installation
Getting Ready
Getting Ready
The order in which you install your new card and driver software depends on
whether a video card is already present in your system.
If there is a video card in your system: Install the drivers first. Once the drivers
are loaded, remove the old card and install the Oxygen RPM card. The driver
installation instructions begin on page 6.
If there is not a video card in your system: Install your new Oxygen RPM
card as described in the Installing Hardware section, below, then install the drivers.
Before You Start
• Tak e every possible precaution against static electricity as you prepare
to install the card: static can damage components. We have included an
anti-static wrist strap for you to wear while installing the hard ware: you
should also try to work in a static free area (such as on a tile floor rather
than carpet). Y ou might even consider wearing special ESD (electrostatic discharge ) , or at least rubber-soled, sho es.
• Save any work in progres s and exit any open applicati ons . Al ways back
up your system before you install new hardware or software.
• Have your anti-static strap and a Philips-head screwdriver ready.
Installing Hardware
Oxygen RPM cards have AGP connectors and must be installed in your system’s
AGP slot. Please see your system documentation for the AGP slot location in your
machine.
➤
To remove an old card from your system
1. Turn off and unplug the power source for your system and each of
its peripherals.
2. Unplug the monitor cable from the old card.
3. Remove any screws securing the card to the chassis.
4. Lift the card out of the slot.
2 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
Installing Hardware
➤
To install your Oxygen RPM card
1. Turn off and unplug the power source for your system and each of its
peripherals, if you have not already done so.
2. Remove the cover from your system so you can access its AGP expansion
slot. (See your system documentation for details.)
Chapter 1 - Installation 3
Installing Hardware
3. Determine which slot you are going to use and remove its back panel
cover. You must use an AGP slot: AGP cards will not fit in PCI slots.
4. Attach the anti-static strap to your wrist, and attach the other end to a
conductive metal (not painted or sticker-covered) area of your system’s
chassis.
5. Remove the card from its anti-static packaging. Write down the serial
number for registration and future use.
6. Place the card into the AGP slot, and seat it firmly. See your system
documentation for instructions on securing the card to the chassis. Loose
cards and connections can cause grounding and operating problems.
7. Remove the anti-static strap and replace the cover on your system.
4 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
Installing Hardware
8. Connect the video cable from your monitor to the primary monitor
connector on the card. Oxygen RPM cards have primary and secondary
monitor connectors. If you have a second monitor, you can connect its
cable to the secondary monitor connector on the card.
9. Plug in and start up your system, including peripherals, and log in to
Windows NT.
Chapter 1 - Installation 5
Installing Software
Installing Software
Your Oxygen RPM card includes driver software, which you must install and
configure. This OpenGL driver allows your system to harness the acceleration
potential of your Oxygen RPM card, as well as set image quality and performance
preferences.
This section describes the installation process for systems running the Windows
NT 4.0 (or later) operating system.
➤
To install your Oxygen RPM software
1. Log in to Windows NT using any account that has administrator privileges.
2. Place the Oxygen CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive. When the installation
window opens, choose the Oxygen RPM installation.
3. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen. (Be sure to read the
software license agreement.)
4. Restart your system at the prompt. You have installed your Oxygen
software successfully!
Registering Oxygen RPM
When you register your Oxygen RPM card you:
• Activate yo ur warranty
• Receive notification of software updates
• Qualify for technical support
You can complete the registration card and return it to us in the mail, or register
over the Internet once your hardware and software installations are complete.
➤
To register over the Internet
1. Click the Start button on the taskbar.
2. Point to Programs, Oxygen RPM, Register Online.
3. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
6 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
Chapter 2 - Software Configuration
The Oxygen RPM Dri ver
The Oxygen RPM Driver
The Oxygen RPM driver allows you to balance image quality and performance for
all your 3D applications, or optimize for a specific application. The Setup and
OpenGL screens work together to bring you this flexibility. When you select
Custom Settings on the Setup screen, you have control over each option on the
OpenGL screen, in addition to the image quality/performance balance. The other
Setup selections manage your OpenGL screen options by making certain
optimization choices for you.
Information Screen
The Information screen appears first when you choose the 3Dlabs page in the
Display Properties control panel, and provides useful information if you should
need to communicate with 3Dlabs technical support. To open the control panel:
1. Close all open applications.
2. From your desktop, click the right mouse button.
3. Choose Properties.
4. Select the 3Dlabs page.
Display Properties
Background
Screen Saver
Processors:
Total Graphics Memory:
Driver Version:
OpenGL Version:
Display Resolution:
Pixel Depth:
Z-buffer Depth:
Refresh Rate:
(c) 1994-1998 3Dlabs, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Appearance
2 Oxygen RPM
64 MB
1.0
1.1
1024 x 768
32
24
60
3Dlabs
Plus!
Configuration
Configuration
Settings
Information
Setup
OpenGL
OK
Cancel
8 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
The Oxygen RPM Driver
Setup Screen
When you select one of the first three Applications options on the Setup screen,
your choice affects any 3D application you run.
Display Properties
Background Screen Saver Appearance
Applications
Custom Settings
Default Settings
Performance Settings
3Dlabs
Plus! Settings
Configuration
Information
Setup
OpenGL
3D Studio MAX
Catia
Creator
I-DEAS Master Series
LightWave 3D
OK
Maya
Pro/Engineer
Softimage 3D
SolidWorks
Unigraphics
Cancel
• Select Custom Settings when you know exactly what performance results
you want from the Oxygen RPM card and know how to set preferences in
order to achieve them.
• Select Default Settings when you want Oxygen RPM to return to initial
factory settings. Default is especially useful if your 3D application does not
appear on the Setup screen.
• Select Performance Settings when you want Oxygen RPM to prioritize
acceleration over image quality.
•Pick an application from the list when you want Oxygen RPM to perform
optimally with that application. Remember to change this setting when you
use another 3D application.
If you selected Custom Settings, click OpenGL in the Configuration box and set
the options described in the following section.
Chapter 2 - Software Configuration 9
The Oxygen RPM Dri ver
If you selected any other option and have one monitor connected to your card,
click OK to close Display Properties and use your new settings.
If you selected an option other than Custom and have two monitors connected to
your card, click OpenGL in the Configuration box and select “Enable dualmonitor mode.” Click Apply to preview the setting, or OK to close Display
Properties and use your new settings.
OpenGL Screen
When you select Custom Settings on the Setup screen, you unlock the OpenGL
Advanced Options. Turn these options on or off to achieve the Oxygen RPM
performance and image quality you need for your applications.
Display Properties
Background
Screen Saver Appearance
3Dlabs
Plus!
Settings
Configuration
Information
Setup
OpenGL
Advanced Options
Disable 3D mode
Adjust for model imprecision
Use mip-mapping texture calculations
Enable dual monitor mode
Enable back buffer copy mode
Enable buffer sync mode
Updated software drivers can be downloaded from
http://www.3dlabs.com
If you have technical questions, or need to report a problem,
please send a detailed message to support@3dlabs.com
OK
✔
Cancel
• Disable 3D mode is a troubleshooting aid. If you should experience
problems when working with a 3D application, close the application, open
the Display Properties control panel, check this box and click OK. You are
now working in 2D mode. At this time, please contact 3Dlabs technical
support.
10 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
The Oxygen RPM Driver
• Adjust for model imprecision eliminates distortion in your images by
processing them at sub-pixel levels. Sub-pixel precision “catches” the
pixels that may fall out between triangles, smoothing the jagged edges that
distort a shape, but prioritizes image quality over acceleration.
• Use mip-mapping texture calculations allows texture calculation when
requested by an OpenGL application. If disabled, only the largest map will
be used and texture calculations will be done with bi-linear sampling. Mipmapping is disabled by default for maximum OpenGL application
performance.
• Enable dual monitor mode enables the use of dual displays, and lets the
cursor track from one screen to the next. Disabling this option turns off
dual display, even if two monitors are present. The option is dimmed and
unavailable if only one monitor is connected to your Oxygen RPM card.
• Enable back buffer copy mode optimizes the performance of Kinetix 3D
Studio MAX R2. Used in conjunction with setti ngs in 3D S tudio MAX R 2,
the contents of the back buffer are copied into the front buffer, while the
contents of the back buffer remain unchanged. If disabled, front and back
buffer contents are actually swapped, which is faster for most applications.
• Enable buffer sync mode swaps the front and back buffers during your
monitor’s vertical blank period. Although there is a potential performance
loss, this feature improves image quality by eliminating tearing.
Chapter 2 - Software Configuration 11
Chapter 3 - Troubleshooting
& Technical Support
Troubleshooting
T roubleshooting
If you have trouble using your Oxygen RPM card or a 3D application, you may
find the answer to your problem in the following sections. Always start your
problem solving efforts with the simplest solution and work up to the more
complex ones.
Monitors and Display Resolutions
Question: My monitor is either blank, or the displayed image is distorted,
scrambled or smaller than I expected.
Solution: If the monitor is blank, be sure that your system and monitor are
plugged in and turned on. Is the monitor’s power cord attached
securely? Check each component’s documentation for the location
and use of power connectors and switches.
Solution: Make sure that your video cable is connected securely to the
monitor and to the monitor connector on your Oxygen RPM card.
See your monitor documentation and Chapter 1 - Installation, in
this document.
Solution: Your c ard might not be seated properly in the AGP slot. Remove
and reinstall your card as described in Chapter 1 - Installation.
Remember to use the anti-static wrist strap when opening your
system and handling the card.
Question: The performance of and/or the available resolutions for my
Oxygen RPM card are not what I expected.
Solution: The Oxygen driver may not have installed fully, or a file may have
been corrupted. Try installing the driver again.
Solution: You may have selected a display setting that is incompatible with
accelerated 3D graphics applications. See Appendix A - Oxygen
RPM Specifications, for a list of compatible resolutions.
14 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
Systems and Networks
Question: When I restart my system, an “Invalid Display Settings” message
appears on-screen, followed by “The default display resolution has
been temporarily used by the system.”
Solution: Within a few seconds, the error messages should be replaced by a
window that allows you to set a display resolution. Pick your
preferred resolution from the list and you should get the sharp
results you expected.
Systems and Networks
Question: Since installing the Oxygen RPM card, my system either hangs or
crashes to a blue screen when I try to start up, or the system starts up
but VGA graphics don’t display.
Solution: Make sure that you are not using an old graphics board driver,
and that you have uninstalled any graphics drivers other
than Oxygen RPM — particularly those drivers provided by other
companies using 3Dlabs chipsets.
Solution: Please see the System Integration Guide in the FAQ section at
http://www.3dlabs.com/tech/index.html.
Solution: You may need to update your BIOS. See your system
documentation for BIOS upgrade information.
Question: I’m experiencing network problems since I installed my Oxygen RPM
card.
Solution: If your Ethernet adapter is ISA-based, there may be a conflict
between it and your Oxygen card. To resolve a conflict:
1. Go to Start/Programs/Administrative Tools and open Windows
NT Diagnostics.
2. Click the Resources tab and select the IRQ button at the bottom
of the panel.
3. If the same IRQ address (found in the IRQ column) is assigned
to the Ethernet adapter and the Oxygen card, go on to step 4. If
they are different, see the next solution.
4. Open the Network control panel and click the Adapters tab.
5. Select your network adapter and click the Properties button. A
setup box appears.
Chapter 3 - Troubleshooting & Technical Support 15
Reaching Technical Support
6. Enter an unused address in the setup box (check your system
documentation for a list of valid IRQ addresses) and click OK
twice. The control panel will close and a restart prompt appears.
7. Click Yes to restart your system.
Solution: You may ne ed to reinstall or update your Ethernet driver. See your
system or Ethernet adapter documentation for more information.
Question: I am experiencing intermittent system hangs, even though my system
and Oxygen RPM card are new.
Solution: Certain motherboard/BIOS combinations have demonstrated a
predisposition to the intermittent system hangs described. Systems
using Intel BX and GX motherboards seem partic ular ly sus ceptible.
The issue is resolved by installing Windows NT Service Pack 4,
which is available from Microsoft.
Reaching Technical Support
If you cannot find the problem you are experiencing, or the solution to a problem,
listed in this chapter, check the 3Dlabs web site for additional help. To contact
3Dlabs Technical Support, send an e-mail to:
support@3dlabs.com
Be sure to include a description of your system and the exact steps required to
recreate the problem.
16 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
Chapter 4 - Glossary
Terms and Definitions
Terms and Definitions
AGP: Accelerated Graphics Port.
AGP Sideband Addressing : A method of data transfer where the graphics c on-
troller can issue new addresses and requests simultaneously as data continues to
move from previous requests on the main data/address wires.
Alpha Blending: This means to create transparent objects by allowing for the
blending of pixels to simulate the transparency characteristics of an object. With
alpha information, an object can be designed from being totally transparent to
opaque.
Alpha Buffer: A portion of the frame buffer used to define the transparency value
of a pixel in the frame buffer. This data can be used to blend the frame buffer pixel
with the pixel to be drawn to create a composite pixel.
Anti-Aliasing: A technique employed to remove any jagged edges from an object
to appear smooth. This is accomplished by gradually modifying the hue and saturation of pixels.
API: Application Programming Interface. The API translates the instructions
from the application program into device commands that are specific to the
screen’s display controller, the graphics board.
Atmospheric Effects: Effects that mimic fog, rain, snow and smoke by using a
blend function that varies with depth in the scene. Also referred to as Depth Cueing.
BIOS: Basic Input/Output System. A program code in computer memory that
performs the self-test, etc. during system startup.
Bilinear Sampling: A process whereby texture mapping is done through filtering
a group of texels sampled from the texel buffer in 2 dimensions.
Clipping: Removal of elements or sections not contained within the active viewing volume.
DAC: Digital to Analog Converter. The DAC converts the digital signals representing the color values of each pixel to analog voltages suitable for driving the
CRT display.
Depth Cueing: A technique used to give the illusion of depth. With depth cueing,
the part of an object that is farther away is displayed with a lower intensity to give
the effect of depth.
18 3Dlabs Oxygen
RPM User’s Guide
Terms and Definitions
Dithering: The process of conver ting an image with a certain bit depth to one
with a lower bit depth. Dithering enables the application to convert an image’s colors that it cannot display into two or more colors that closely resemble the original.
Dithering works because the mind is tricked by the pattern of colors into thinking
it’s a different color.
DMA Sub Buffers: Direct Memory Access Sub Buffers partition the data sent to
the graphics card from the host processor in order to optimize performance.
Double Buffering: With double buffering, images are rendered in the back buffer
and then displayed on the screen once the drawing is completed. This results in the
smooth, flicker-free rotation and animation of 3D models and scenes.
Driver: A driver is a special interface program that is developed to perform the
communication between the application program, the device (i.e., graphics peripheral) and the operating system.
ESD: ElectroStatic Discharge. Sparks that move from an electrically-charged
object to an approaching conductive object.
EVGA: Extended Video Graphics Array. EVG A runs at a screen resolution of
1024 x 768.
Flat Shading: The simplest method of shading. Each triangle is assigned one single color, resulting in a faceted appearance of the surface.
Floating Point: Refers to the data type that allows numbers to be represented in
Scientific Notation for greater range. Floating point operations can be implemented in hardware or software.
Floating Point Processor: An arithmetic unit designed to execute floating point
operations. It may be implemented in a variety of ways such as a co-processor chip
or a CPU with built-in floating point capabilities.
Frame Buffer: An area of memory used to hold a frame of data containing the displayable color buffers (front, back, left, right, overlay, underlay), their (optional)
associated alpha components, and any associated (optional) window control information. This memory is typically separate from the local buffer.
Geometry: The intermediate stage of the 3D pipeline, geometry determines the
location of the object and the frame of reference of the viewer in relation to the
object.
Geometry accelerator: A high performance graphics engine that pe rfor ms geometry calculations.
Chapter 4 - Glos sary 19
Terms and Definitions
Gouraud Shading: This method of shading, more complex than flat shading,
shows subtle color changes across an object. Gouraud Shading is accomplished by
incrementally changing pixel color values smoothly from one vertex to another
across the polygon.
Graphics Accelerator Card: A graphics accelerator performs 3D functions in
the hardware, thereby relieving the CPU of repetitive, complex and intensive calls.
This results in enhanced performance and speed.
IRQ: Interrupt ReQuest lines are hardware connections that can transmit interrupt signals from hardware subsystems to the CPU to trigger certain procedures.
MCAD: Mechanical Computer Aided Design.
MIP-Mapping (for texture processing): MIP-mapping (multim in parvo – many
things in a small place) is a method of texture mapping where multiple texture
maps are used to more accurately map the texture onto objects or surfaces of
objects of different distances from the view point. Each MIP-map is a lower
(approximately half) resolution version of another MIP-map.
MMX: Multi Media eXtension, a set of 57 instructions, to be added to the x86
processor, to accelerate signal processing operations for multimedia.
Multiple Resolution Support: The ability to support multiple resolutions on the
screen.
OpenGL: The industry standard library of advanced 3D graphics functions developed by Silicon Graphics, Inc.
PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect.
Perspective Correction: A function that allows an object to maintain its 3D tex-
tural features as it moves away from the viewer, into the background.
Pipelining: A basic hardware tool for accelerating processes by performing multi-
ple operations in a multi-stage pipeline simultaneously.
Pixel: The smallest addressable element of a cathode ray tube display. More sim-
ply put, the individual dots that make up the screen image.
Pixel Depth: The total number of bits per pixel (in all buffers combined), which is
112 bits per pixel for the Oxygen GMX.
Point Sampling: The basic method of adding texture to an object. Point sampling
does not include any filtering of textures.
20 3Dlabs Oxygen
RPM User’s Guide
Terms and Definitions
RAMDAC: The last component in the graphics subsystem pipeline that translates
a digital image into an analog representation. This component contains a color
table RAM and the DAC that converts digital signals to analog signals (see DAC).
Rasterizer: A chip that controls the rasterization process.
Rasterization: A method to fill in colors for all pixels bound by vertices.
Refresh Frequency: The rate at which the monitor refreshes the screen. Gener-
ally quoted in Hz.
Rendering: The final and most rigorous stage in the 3D pipeline where an object
undergoes shading, texturing, etc.
RGB: Red, Green, Blue. Color information that is saved using the Red/Green/
Blue color format.
RISC: Reduced Instruction Set Computing.
SDRAM: Synchronous DRAM is a cost-effective solution to improve bandwidth
to and from memory, resulting in increased graphics performance.
SDTP: Super DeskTop Publishing. SDTP runs at a resolution of 1,600 x 1,200.
Stencil Buffer: The stencil buffer assists with the creation of effects such as
decals on the surface of an object.
Stipple masking: A technique that spat ial ly cr eat e s tr anspar ent effects by render -
ing an object through various patterns.
SVGA: Super Video Graphics Array. SVGA runs at a resolution of 800 x 600.
Tessellation: The process of breaking parametric surfa ces in the model geometry
into component polygons that can be processed by the rest of the 3D pipeline.
Although additional computation is required, rendering is more realistic when a
higher number of polygons are used to represent a surface.
Texels: Texture Elements, the name used for the smallest addressable element of a
texture map.
Texture Mapping: A technique that enables 2D gra phic images to be “wrapped”
around or “pasted” on to a 3D primitive. Perspective correction and lighting calculations allow for added realism.
Transformation: The change in rotation, size and perspective of an object in 3D
space as part of the geometry operations.
Chapter 4 - Glos sary 21
Terms and Definitions
Transparency: A function that refers to the rendering of transparent (nonopaque) objects. Transparency is generally accomplished on a polygon rendering
system using either screen-door transparency (stipple masking) or alpha blending.
Trilinear Sampling: A process whereby texture mapping is done through filtering
a group of texels sampled from the texel buffer in 3 dimensions. This technique is
commonly used to sample texels from MIP-maps.
True Color: Graphics mode with approximately 16.8 million colors (24 or 32 bits
per pixel) where full color information is saved for each pixel.
Vblank: The interval during which the screen is blanked so as to conceal the
retrace line as the CRT guns reset from the lower right corner of the screen to the
upper left corner. Since the CRT is blank during this interval, the front and back
buffers are swapped at this time.
Vectors/second: Lines drawn per second.
VGA: Video Graphics Array. VGA runs at resolutions up to and including 640 x
480.
VHR: Very High Resolution. VHR runs at a resolution of 1,280 x 1,024.
VRAM: Video Random Access Memory is an expensive, fast type of RAM that
is used as display memory on high-end graphics boards.
VRML: Virtual Reality Modeling Language.
Z-Buffer: The z-buffer is the part of the frame buffer that stores the depth value
(z-axis) for each pixel. It facilitates hidden-surface removal by comparing the z
value of the pixel to be written to that of the existing pixel, and allowing or not
allowing the pixel to be overwritten depending upon this comparison.
22 3Dlabs Oxygen
RPM User’s Guide
Appendix A - Oxygen RPM Specifications
General Specifications
Feature/Function Implementation
Card size Full-length AGP
Power requirement 0.25W @ 12V, 10W@ 5V,
15W @ 3.3V
Geometry processing Software: Power Threads technology for
multithreaded OpenGL
Rasterizer 2 Oxygen RPM
rasterization engines
RAMDAC chip
Pixel frequency
Memory 64 MB
2 TI TVP 3026
250 MHz
128 MB with expans ion mod ul e
Supported Resolutions
Display Resolution Color Depth Vertical Refresh
800 x 600 True Color 75
1,024 x 768 True Color 60, 70, 75, 85, 100
1,152 x 900 True Color 66, 76
1,280 x 1,024 True Color 60, 66, 85
1,600 x 1,200 True Color 60
Appendix B - Warranty and Licenses
Three (3) Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty
3Dlabs warrants that the Product will be free from defects in materials and/or workmanship for a period of
three (3) years from the date of purchase. During the warranty period, 3Dlabs will correct any defects in
material or workmanship, or any failure of the product to conform to hardware specifications, at no-charge for
in-house labor and materials. Shipping costs must be pre-paid by Buyer. Any replacements parts/products will
be new or serviceably used, and are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty or thirty (30) days
from the date of shipment of the parts/products, whichever is longer. The warranty period is not extended as a
result of purcha sin g any ad diti onal parts /prod ucts fro m 3Dl abs. Buy er must no tify 3 Dlabs in writi ng if there is
a defect in material or workmanshi p. W ritte n notic e in all events must be receiv ed by 3Dla bs before e xpiration
of the warranty period. This warranty is non-transferable. A purchase receipt or other proof of date of original
purchase will be required before warranty is rendered. This warranty only covers failures due to defects in
materials or workmanship that occur durin g normal use. It does not cover damage that occurs in shipment or
failures that are re sult from, but are not limited to, accident , misuse, abuse, neglect, mishandling,
misapplication, a lt eration, modification, fire, flood, earthquake, explosion, lightning, line power surge,
introduction of sand, dust, humidity and liquids, or servic e by anyone other than 3Dlabs or an authorized
3Dlabs service center, or damage that is attributable to acts of God.
Limits and Exclusions
THE WARRANTY STATED ABOVE IS THE ONLY WARRANTY APPLICABLE TO THIS PRODUCT.
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.
3Dlabs SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING
FROM THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT, OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not
apply to you. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so
the above limitati on or exclusion may not apply to you. The warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
may also have other rights state to st ate.
Software Licens e Agr ee m ent
Software License Agreement
THIS IS A LEGAL CONTRACT BETWEEN YOU, THE END USER, AND 3DLABS, INC. BY USING
THE SOFTWARE PACKAGE ACCOMPANYING THIS GUIDE OR PRE-INSTALLED ON YOUR
SYSTEM, YOU ARE ACCEPTING AND AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS
LICENSE. IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS LICENSE,
PROMPTLY RETURN THIS GUIDE WITH THE UNOPENED SOFTWARE ENVELOPE, OXYGEN
CARD AND ANY OTHER ACCOMPANYING ITEMS TOGETHER WITH YOUR RECEIPT TO YOUR
PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND.
Software License and Restrictions
The enclosed SOFTWARE delivered to you pursuant to these terms and conditions may embody and include
certain software programs in object code form (machine-readable but not human-readable form). Use of the
SOFTWARE can result in the production of human-readable features such as documentation, report formats,
menus, audible prompts and tone sequences. Such SOFTWARE and features constitute either the copyrighted
property or proprietary trade secret information, or both, of 3Dlabs, Inc. or its licensors, and shall be held in
confidence by you. 3Dlabs, Inc. or its licensors retain title to the SOFTWARE (excluding media on which
recorded), all copies thereof, and all intellectual property rights, and no title to the SOFTWARE, copies
thereof or intellectual property rights are transferred to you. You are hereby granted, for internal use only, a
personal, nontransferable, nonexclusive and perpetual license to use only one copy of the SOFTWARE on the
computer on which the SOFTWARE was originally mounted. Except as specifically authorized by this
License, you may not copy the SOFTWARE or the human-readable features referred to above for any purpose
(except for a copy for backup purposes). All such copies are the proprietary information of 3Dlabs, Inc. and its
licensors and suppliers and are subject to their copyrights. You shall not, whether through the use of
disassemblers or any other means whatsoever (including but not limited to manual, mechanical or electrical
means), reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble or derive source code from the SOFTWARE, or attempt to
permit any third party to do any of the foregoing, including causing the SOFTWARE to be destroyed or
disabled or deriving the rules or protocols embodied in the SOFTWARE. Any attempt to do any of these
things shall be a material breach of this License, which shall immediately entitle 3Dlabs, Inc. to exercise any
remedy that may exist at law or in equity. You may not transfer, loan, rent, lease, distribute or grant any rights
in the SOFTWARE or accompanying documentation in any form without the prior written consent of 3Dlabs,
Inc.
Limited Warranty
3Dlabs, Inc. warrants that the SOFTWARE licensed to you under this License will perform in accordance with
3Dlabs, Inc. published specifications on the same operating system as used at the time of purchase for a period
of ninety (90) days after the date of delivery to you as evidenced by your receipt (Warranty Period). If the
SOFTW ARE does not conform during the Warranty Period, you agree to provide written notice of such failure
to 3Dlabs, Inc. and 3Dlabs, Inc. will, at its sole option, repair or replace the SOFTWARE or refund the full
purchase price. 3Dlabs, Inc. does not warra nt that the use of the SOF TWARE will be uninterrupted or errorfree and hereby disclaims all liability on account thereof. THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE
YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY. THIS WARRANTY IS IN
LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. SOME STATES OR COUNTRIES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
26 3Dlabs Oxygen RP M User’s Guide
Software License Agreement
Limited Liability
NOTWITHST ANDING ANY PROVISION IN THIS LICENSE T O THE CONTRARY , 3Dlabs, Inc. OR ITS
LICENSORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, HOWEVER CAUSED, OR ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER
OR NOT 3Dlabs, Inc. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE OR LOSS. IN
NO EVENT SHALL 3Dlabs, Inc. LIABILITY ARISING UNDER THIS LICENSE EXCEED THE
AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE SOFTWARE GIVING RISE TO SUCH LIABILITY. THIS
LIMITATION IS INTENDED TO LIMIT THE LIABILITY OF 3Dlabs, Inc. AND SHALL APPLY
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY.
SOME STATES OR COUNTRIES MAY NOT ALLOW THE FOREGOING LIMITATION, SO THE
FOREGOING MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Confidentiality
The SOFTWARE contains confidential trade secret information belon g ing to 3 Dlab s, In c. or its lic enso rs, and
you may use the SOFTWARE only pursuant to the license set forth herein. In addi tion, you may not disclose
the SOFTWARE to any third party.
Restricted Rights Notice
Use, duplication or disclosure by the United States Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in
subparagraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights clause at FA R
Section 52.277-19 or (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS
Section 252.277 -7013, as applicable . Unpublished - rights reserved under the copyright laws of the Unit e d
States. Contractor: 3Dlabs, Inc., 480 Potrero Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94086.
You may terminate this License at any time by d estroying all copies, mergers or modifications of the
SOFTWARE and accompa ny in g m a te r ia l s . 3 D la bs , I nc . m a y imm e diately terminate your Li c en se upon notice
for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this License. Upon such termination, you agree to
destroy all copies, mergers and modifi cations of the SOFTWARE and accompanying documents. You agree
that a breach of this License will result in irreparable damages to 3Dlabs, Inc. This License is the entire
agreement between you and 3Dl abs, Inc. with respect to the use and licensing of the SOFTWARE, and
supersedes all proposals, warranties, prior ag reements or any other communications between the part ies
relating to the subject matter hereof. This License will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of California without rega rd to conflic ts o f la w prin c ipl es o r the UN Con v entio n o n t he Sale of Go od s. If
for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of thi s License, or portion thereof, to be
unenforceable, that provis ion of the License shall be enforced to th e maximum extent permissible so as to
effect the intent of the partie s, a nd the rema in der of th is Lic ense shal l cont inu e in full forc e an d effect. Should
you have any questions concerning this License, please write to: 3Dlabs, Inc., 480 Potrero Avenue, Sunnyvale,
California 94086.
Appendix B - Warranty and Licenses 27
Appendix C - Declaration of Conformity
We, 3Dlabs, Incorporated,
480 Potrero Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Phone 408-530-4700
Fax 408-530-4701
United States of America
declare under our sole responsibility that the product
®
3Dlabs
to which this declaration relates are in conformance with the following stand a rds:
following the provisions of the 89/336/EEC Directive.
San Jose, C alifornia, Sept ember 30, 1998
Oxygen™ RPM
EN55022:1987
EN50082-1:1992
IEC801-2:1984
IEC801-3:1984
IEC801-4:1987
3Dlabs, Inc.
We, 3Dlabs, Incorporated,
480 Potrero Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Phone 408-530-4700
Fax 408-530-4701
United States of America
declare under our sole responsibility that the product
®
3Dlabs
comply with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interferences that may cause undesired operation.
Oxygen™ RPM
Index
dual
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
A
anti-static procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
applications setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
B
back buffer copy mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
bilinear sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
buffer sync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
C
control panel, display properties . . . . . . . 8
D
declaration of conformity . . . . . . . . . . 29
display properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
drivers
installation
OpenGL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Oxygen RPM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
dual displays
configuring
enable dual monitor mode . . . . . . . 11
support for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
E
enable dual monitor mode . . . . . . . . . . 11
F
FCC statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
I
installation
AGP slots
anti-static procedures . . . . . . . . . . . 2
back up first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
before you start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
removing old cards . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
software/drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
O
OpenGL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi, 8, 10
Oxygen RPM
driver
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
dual monitors . . . . . . . . . . . vii, 10
features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
system requirements . . . . . . . . . . vii
P
Power Threads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
processors, card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
R
RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii, 23
S
setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
software
installation
setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
software license agreement . . . . . . . . .26
software partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
static electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
system requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
T
technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
troubleshooting
disable 3D mode
monitor problems . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
network pro blems . . . . . . . . . . . .15
resolution pr oblems . . . . . . . . . . .14
system problems . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
. . . . . . . . . . . . .10
M
memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
mip-mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
model imprecision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
monitors
W
warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Windows NT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Index 31
Loading...