OpenGLOpenGL

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What is OpenGL?What is OpenGL?

--OpenGL is a hardware independent 2D OpenGL is a hardware independent 2D and and 3D rendering and 3D hardware 3D rendering and 3D hardware acceleration acceleration standard.standard.

--OpenGL makes 3D effects possible OpenGL makes 3D effects possible without without system degradation.system degradation.

-OpenGL has been successful because of -OpenGL has been successful because of it’s it’s unrestrictive licensing system. The unrestrictive licensing system. The royalty free royalty free system benefits hardware system benefits hardware makers. makers.

OpenGL makes available to the OpenGL makes available to the programmer a small set of geometric programmer a small set of geometric primitives - points, lines, polygons, primitives - points, lines, polygons, images, and bitmaps. images, and bitmaps.

It provides a set of commands that allow It provides a set of commands that allow the specification of geometric objects in the specification of geometric objects in two or three dimensions, using the two or three dimensions, using the provided primitives, together with provided primitives, together with commands that control how these objects commands that control how these objects are rendered into the frame buffer. are rendered into the frame buffer.

Why is it important to Linux?Why is it important to Linux?

PortabilityPortability.. OpenGLOpenGL is hardware independent - OpenGL is hardware independent - OpenGL runtime libraries ship with all runtime libraries ship with all Windows, MacOS, Windows, MacOS, Linux and Unix Sytems.Linux and Unix Sytems.

Stability-Stability- High end workstation and supercomputer users High end workstation and supercomputer users have been utilizing OpenGL technologies since 1992. have been utilizing OpenGL technologies since 1992.

Performance & ExpandabilityPerformance & Expandability - OpenGL is considered to - OpenGL is considered to be one the most powerful and popular 3D solution for be one the most powerful and popular 3D solution for Windows, Linux, and Mac computers alike. Most leading Windows, Linux, and Mac computers alike. Most leading games such as Quake III, Half-Life, MDK2, Madden NFL games such as Quake III, Half-Life, MDK2, Madden NFL 2001 require OpenGL for hardware acceleration.2001 require OpenGL for hardware acceleration.

Recent EventsRecent Events

OpenGL 2.0. – OpenGL 2.0. – A 3DLabs ProjectA 3DLabs ProjectOpenGL 2.0 is designed to:OpenGL 2.0 is designed to:- add support for pixel and fragment add support for pixel and fragment

shadersshaders- improve memory management and give improve memory management and give

applications more control over the applications more control over the rendering pipeline. rendering pipeline.

- Provide compatibility with OpenGL 1.3 - Provide compatibility with OpenGL 1.3 - so older applications will run on graphics so older applications will run on graphics accelerators with OpenGL 2.0 drivers.accelerators with OpenGL 2.0 drivers.

““3D Graphics World Shaken by Patent 3D Graphics World Shaken by Patent Claims”Claims”

““Microsoft Stakes IP Claim on openGL”Microsoft Stakes IP Claim on openGL”

Recent EventsRecent Events

Microsoft and OpenGL? Microsoft and OpenGL?

In January of 2002, Microsoft purchased “unspecified” In January of 2002, Microsoft purchased “unspecified” Intellectual Property rights from Silicon Graphics Inc (SGI) Intellectual Property rights from Silicon Graphics Inc (SGI) for $62.5 millionfor $62.5 million

The “Non- Core Technologies” sold were said to The “Non- Core Technologies” sold were said to represent the bulk of SGI’s IP assets. represent the bulk of SGI’s IP assets.

Microsoft isn’t a hardware vendor so why the vested Microsoft isn’t a hardware vendor so why the vested interested in OpenGL? interested in OpenGL?

Microsoft allegedly needed these technologies to Microsoft allegedly needed these technologies to launch as scheduled. launch as scheduled.

March 2002, Microsoft stated it’s claim with the OpenGL March 2002, Microsoft stated it’s claim with the OpenGL Architectural Review Board. Architectural Review Board.

Linux Impact Linux Impact

Microsoft’s full position is still unclear. Microsoft’s full position is still unclear. - 1:1 IP exchange with companies using OpenGL 1.4, 1.3 and - 1:1 IP exchange with companies using OpenGL 1.4, 1.3 and earlier earlier

versionsversions

- What could New companies entering the market - What could New companies entering the market that need OpenGL technology offer Microsoft? that need OpenGL technology offer Microsoft?

-The acquisition not only gives Microsoft a competitive -The acquisition not only gives Microsoft a competitive advantage in advantage in

the console business but also significant bargaining position the console business but also significant bargaining position with with

hardware vendors. hardware vendors.

- KDE’s key developer, Hetz Ben Hamo, speculates MS may try to - KDE’s key developer, Hetz Ben Hamo, speculates MS may try to kill kill

MESA, an OpenGL clone, unless MESA pays licensing fees. MESA, an OpenGL clone, unless MESA pays licensing fees.

Other companies have claims other technology in the Other companies have claims other technology in the OpenGL standard, but have chosen to forego those OpenGL standard, but have chosen to forego those

claims so claims so that OpenGL can continue to prosper and remain that OpenGL can continue to prosper and remain royalty royalty

free.free.

Because Microsoft’s position is “unclear”, the impact of Because Microsoft’s position is “unclear”, the impact of Microsoft holding an OpenGL IP can only be speculated. Microsoft holding an OpenGL IP can only be speculated.

Consider: Consider:

Is the Open source premise that many Linux and Unix Is the Open source premise that many Linux and Unix systems in jeopardy? systems in jeopardy?

Sources:Sources:

http://http://www.slashdot.orgwww.slashdot.org

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t26http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2118968,00.html9-s2118968,00.html