The OxygenTM VX1 and TM Oxygen GVX1 Graphics Accelerator User’s Guide 3Dlabs,® Inc. 480 Potrero Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086 408 - 530 - 4700 www.3dlabs.
Copyright 1999 by 3Dlabs, Inc. 3Dlabs, GLINT and Permedia are registered trademarks, and Oxygen and PowerThreads are trademarks of 3Dlabs, Inc. or 3Dlabs Inc. Ltd. Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel. OpenGL is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Soft Engine is a trademark of Vibrant Graphics, Inc. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of AutoDesk Inc. Colorific is a registered trademark of Sonnetech Ltd. Microsoft and Windows NT are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.
CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Welcome to 3Dlabs!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii System Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the Windows Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Configuring your Oxygen GVX1 Card for Stereo Viewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 To set up and configure stereo viewing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Chapter 3 - Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to 3Dlabs! Welcome to 3Dlabs! Thank you for selecting a 3Dlabs® Oxygen™ graphics accelerator card! The Oxygen VX1 accelerator uses 3Dlabs’ new GLINT® R3 graphics processor to deliver genuine, industrial strength workstation graphics for the same price as a games-only board. Oxygen GVX1 is the first workstation graphics board to bring the heavy-duty power of hardware-based geometry acceleration below $1,000.
Overview Overview Your Oxygen card has the following features: • The GLINT R3 rasterization engine The GLINT R3 rasterization engine accelerates tasks like true-color shading, texture mapping, anti-aliasing, and transparency operations. • Virtual Textures Virtual Textures is a hardware-based, full demand-paged virtual texture storage sub-system. With it, your Oxygen card can cache up to 256MB of textures stored in main system memory.
System Requirements The Oxygen GVX1 card adds: • GLINT Gamma G1 geometry processing The GLINT Gamma G1 chip accelerates the 3D geometry pipeline in hardware, performing all vertex transformation and lighting calculations required by OpenGL applications. • Dynamic load balancing When the GLINT Gamma processor is busy, geometry and transform calculations are automatically shared between the CPU and the GLINT Gamma.
Software Partners Software Partners Your Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 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, website. Software Application Web Site Address AutoCAD http://www.autodesk.com Colorific http://www.colorific.com 3D Studio MAX http://www.ktx.com Lightscape http://www.
CHAPTER 1 - INSTALLATION
Getting Ready Getting Ready To successfully use your new Oxygen VX1 or Oxygen GVX1 card, you must install the card and the accompanying driver software. Whether you install your new card or the driver first depends on whether a video card is already present in your system. If there is a video card in your system: Uninstall the drivers for the existing card, then install the Oxygen driver. Once the new driver is loaded, remove the old card and install your Oxygen VX1 or Oxygen GVX1 card.
Installing Hardware Installing Hardware Oxygen GVX1 and Oxygen VX1 cards are available in PCI and AGP versions. Check the documentation for your system for the location of PCI and AGP expansion slots in your system. ✏To remove an old card from your system 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Make sure you have uninstalled any old drivers and installed the Oxygen driver in their place. Turn off and unplug the power source for your system and each of its peripherals. Unplug the monitor cable from the old card.
Installing Hardware 3. Determine which slot you are going to use and remove its slot cover. 4. Attach the anti-static strap to your wrist, and attach the other end to a bare, conductive (as opposed to painted or sticker-covered) area of your system’s chassis. Remove the card from its anti-static packaging. Write down the serial number for registration and future use. Place the card into the expansion slot and seat it firmly. 5. 6.
Installing Hardware 7. 8. 9. Oxygen GVX1 users can install additional Oxygen GVX1 PCI cards for multiple monitor support. To install a second Oxygen GVX1 card, repeat steps 3 through 6. Remove the anti-static strap and replace the cover on your system. Connect the video cable from your monitor to the video connector on the card. Digital flat panel display connector Standard monitor connector Oxygen GVX1 Standard monitor connector Oxygen VX1 10.
Installing Software Installing Software The Oxygen Product CD-ROM for the Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 includes Oxygen PowerThreads video driver software, which lets you set image quality and performance preferences for your card. It also includes the Soft Engine AutoCAD accelerator and productivity tool package, and Colorific screen-to-print color matching software.
Installing Software 5. 6. Click Next in the next two steps of the wizard. The wizard copies the files to the correct location. Click Finish, and then restart your system. ✏To install Soft Engine NOTE! Soft Engine works exclusively with AutoDesk’s AutoCAD R12, R13, R14, and LT software. Install Soft Engine if you use one of these AutoCAD programs. Do not install Soft Engine if you do not use one of these AutoCAD programs; it will have no beneficial effect. 1. 2. 3.
Registering Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Registering Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 When you register your Oxygen card you: • • • Activate your 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 on-line once your hardware and software installations are complete. (You must have Internet access to register on-line.) 1. 2. 3. Open your Internet browser. Go to http://www.3dlabs.
CHAPTER 2 - SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION
The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver The Oxygen driver software lets you optimize the working relationship between your card, your system and your applications. The 3Dlabs Display Control Panel allows you to customize and create driver settings. The Taskbar based Configuration Manager provides quick and convenient access to most of the Display Control Panel features, and allows you to quickly switch between alternative driver settings.
The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver The Display Control Panel When you first click the 3Dlabs tab in the Display Control Panel, this introductory page appears: It provides software version and basic hardware specifications, and a point-of-entry to the full set of Oxygen driver customization tools. Click the Advanced button for access to these panels: • • • • • Information Setup Direct3D (Windows 98 only) OpenGL Support Monitor (Windows NT only) The following sections describe each in detail.
The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver Information Screen The Information screen provides in-depth information about your selected (or the default) settings, as well as detailed hardware, software, and Direct3D specifications. This information can be especially useful if you should need to contact technical support about your Oxygen card.
The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver Setup Screen The Setup screen lets you configure settings that are not specifically related to Direct3D or OpenGL. • • • 13 You can enable (check) and disable (uncheck) the 3Dlabs multi-monitor Windows Manager, which requires a system restart. This option is only available if there is more than one 3Dlabs display card in the system. You can enable (check) or disable (uncheck) the Taskbar based Configuration Manager with a mouse click. The default setting is enabled.
The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver Direct3D Support Screen The Direct3D Support screen controls Direct3D application specific driver settings for Oxygen VX1 Windows 98 users, and lets you create your own settings. When the panel first appears, the Defaults, Add New and Remove Settings buttons, as well as the Advanced Options section, are hidden. They appear when you click the Advanced button.
The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver • • • • 15 Disable 16-bit alpha-luminance textures enables Direct3D support for monochrome (luminance) textures. These can be useful for applications which use the new features of DirectX 6, but older applications can misinterpret these new formats. If you have problems such as incorrect colors or poor quality texturing, try disabling this option.
The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver OpenGL Support Screen This screen controls OpenGL-application-specific driver settings and enables you to create your own settings. When the panel initially appears the New and Remove Settings buttons, as well as the Advanced Options section, are hidden. They appear when you click the Advanced button at the top of the screen. • • • • • Click Driver is optimized for application to reach a drop down list of applications, then select the one you want to use.
The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver • • • 17 buffer is sub-divided into sub buffers which are used in conjunction with a queued DMA mechanism to reduce latency in the system. The number of sub buffers can be set. Setting it to 2 will disable the queued DMA mechanism. Overlay / Alpha Mode provides additional control of the overlay plane capabilities exported in the OpenGL pixel formats.
The Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 Driver Monitor Screen This page allows Windows NT users to specify a monitor type and display the available settings, but it does not permit the actual selection of different monitor modes. To select modes, click the Settings tab at the top of the Display Properties panel. When you open the Display Properties panel and the DDC button is selected, your system automatically checks whether it is connected to a DDC-type monitor. If so, the available modes will be displayed.
Configuring Multiple Monitors Configuring Multiple Monitors You can configure your system to support up to four monitors by installing additional Oxygen GVX1 cards and connecting additional monitors. ✏To configure additional Oxygen GVX1 cards 19 1. In the Display Properties Control Panel, click the Settings tab. 2. Click List All Modes. 3. In the List of Valid Modes click a resolution and then click OK. Select a resolution that is twice the width of your current resolution.
Configuring Multiple Monitors 4. 5. 6. 7. On the Display Properties Panel, click Test. This tests the new mode on the second monitor screen for five seconds. Click Ok to test the new mode. Click OK if you saw the test bitmap correctly. In the Display Properties Control Panel, click OK. Your second Oxygen GVX1 card is now configured for dual monitor mode.
Configuring your Oxygen GVX1 Card for Stereo Viewing Configuring your Oxygen GVX1 Card for Stereo Viewing The Oxygen GVX1 card supports 3D stereo viewing. This requires that the appropriate equipment such as stereo glasses be connected to the 3-pin miniature DIN connector on the Oxygen GVX1 card. It is recommended that you use a monitor with a vertical refresh frequency of at least 100 Hertz.
Configuring your Oxygen GVX1 Card for Stereo 5. In the OpenGL Support screen, click Advanced. 6. Click the checkbox to the right of Stereo Support to select it. Click Apply and then click OK. In the Display Settings Control Panel, click the Settings tab. Click List All Modes. 7. 8. 9. 10. Select a screen refresh frequency of 100 Hertz or higher and then click OK. If you are using a DDC-type monitor, modes with suitably high refresh rates should be available in the List of Valid Modes.
Configuring your Oxygen GVX1 Card for Stereo Viewing 11. 12. 13. 14. 23 tab. Click DDC and check for stereo settings. If they still do not appear, click VESA and check again. If necessary, restart your system. On the Display Properties Panel, click Test. This tests the new mode on the monitor screen for five seconds. Click OK to test the new mode. Click OK if you saw the test bitmap correctly. In the Display Properties Control Panel, click OK. Your Oxygen GVX1 card is now configured for stereo viewing.
CHAPTER 3 - TROUBLESHOOTING
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting If you have trouble using your Oxygen VX1/Oxygen GVX1 card or a 3D application, you may find the answer to your problem in the following sections. Always start your problemsolving efforts with the simplest solution and work up to the more complex ones. Monitors and Display Resolutions My monitor is either blank, or the displayed image is distorted, scrambled or smaller than I expected.
Systems and Networks 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 Since installing the Oxygen 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: Try to disable “VGA Palette Snoop.” Follow these steps.
APPENDIX A - SPECIFICATIONS
Oxygen VX1 Specifications Oxygen VX1 Specifications Item Specification Card size NLX shortcard, AGP or PCI, single-slot Power requirement 10.25 W @ 3v3, 1.0 W @ 5V Geometry processing PowerThreads SSE Rasterizer GLINT R3 rasterization engine RAMDAC frequency 300 MHz Memory 32 MB SDRAM Oxygen GVX1 Specifications Item Specification Card size Half-length ATX form factor, single slot Power requirement 14.4 W @ 3v3, 6.
APPENDIX B - SOFTWARE LICENSE
SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT THIS IS A LEGAL CONTRACT BETWEEN YOU, THE END USER, AND 3DLABS, INC. BY USING THE SOFTWARE ACCOMPANYING THIS GUIDE OR PREINSTALLED ON YOUR SYSTEM, YOU ARE ACCEPTING AND AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT.
Limited Warranty Limited Warranty 3Dlabs, Inc. warrants that the SOFTWARE AND FEATURES licensed to you under this AGREEMENT will perform in accordance with 3Dlabs, Inc. published specifications for use on the same operating system as used by you at the time of purchase of the SOFTWARE or the system on which the SOFTWARE is initially mounted or installed (WARRANTY) for a period of ninety (90) days after the date of delivery to you as evidenced by your receipt (WARRANTY PERIOD).
Limited Warranty Termination You may terminate the license granted hereunder at any time by destroying all copies, [mergers or modifications] of the SOFTWARE, FEATURES and accompanying materials. 3Dlabs, Inc. may immediately terminate the license granted to you hereunder upon notice for failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this AGREEMENT. Upon such termination, you agree to destroy all copies, mergers and modifications of the SOFTWARE and FEATURES and accompanying documents.
APPENDIX C - REGULATORY STATEMENTS
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 products 3Dlabs® Oxygen™ VX1 3Dlabs Oxygen GVX1 to which this declaration relates are in conformance with the following standards: EN 55024:1998, clause 4.2.1 EN 55024:1998, clause 4.2.2 EN 55024:1998, clause 4.2.3 EN 55024:1998, clause 4.2.3.2 EN 55024:1998, clause 4.2.
Appendix D - Glossary
Terms and Definitions Terms and Definitions AGP Advanced Graphics Port. A dedicated graphics bus that transfers data at significantly higher speeds than the PCI bus. 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.
Terms and Definitions Digital Flat Panel Display A digital, flat-panel display uses a digital (instead of analog) cable connection to transfer data to the display screen. This can eliminate some display artifacts. Flat panel displays occupy less desk space than conventional monitors. DirectX Microsoft’s APIs developed to access various system hardware. Direct 3D Microsoft’s API dedicated to 3D graphics, and a component of DirectX.
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 adding pixels in a graduated scale of colors. 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.
Terms and Definitions SDRAM Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) is a cost-effective solution to improve bandwidth to and from memory, resulting in increased graphics performance. SGRAM Synchronous Graphics Random Access Memory allows data to be written in a single operation, rather than a (slower) sequence of operations. It also handles background and foreground image fills effectively. SDTP Super Desktop Publishing. SDTP runs at 1600 x 1200.
Terms and Definitions VRML Virtual Reality Modeling Language. Z-Buffer Also known as the Depth Buffer, the Z-Buffer is a region of memory containing the depth component of a pixel. Used, for example, to eliminate hidden surfaces from the image.
INDEX A E accelerator, graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 AGP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii, 36 alpha blending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 alpha buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 anti aliasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 anti-static procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 API . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 atmospheric effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 EVGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 F B FCC statement . . . .
L limited warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 M mapping mip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 texture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 memory Oxygen GVX1 . . . . . . . . . . vii, 39 OxygenVX1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii SDRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii, 39 SGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii, 39 VRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 monitor screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 monitors adjusting gamma . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 DDC . . . . . . . . . .
software license agreement . . . . . . . . 30 software partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix specifications Oxygen GVX1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Oxygen VX1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 static electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 stencil buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 stereo quad-buffered . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii stipple masking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SVGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 system requirements Oxygen GVX1 . . . . . . . . . .
