Technical data

5
Programming Features
This chapter describes new features relating to application and system
programming on this version of the Compaq OpenVMS operating system.
5.1 3D Graphics Support
The PowerStorm 300 (PBXGD-AD) and PowerStorm 350 (PBXGD-AE) graphics
cards are now supported on Alpha-based systems. The OpenGL 3D graphics API
is now provided as part of the OpenVMS base operating system. The version of
OpenGL supported on the PowerStorm 300 and PowerStorm 350 graphics cards
is Version 1.1.
The implementation of OpenGL Version 1.1 for the PowerStorm 300 or
PowerStorm 350 is designed to coexist with installations of the Open3D layered
product for older graphics cards. The images shipped with OpenVMS are
named DECW$OPENGLSHR_V11 and DECW$OPENGLUSHR_V11. The
_V11 suffix is used to distinguish the OpenGL Version 1.1 images from the
OpenGL Version 1.0 images shipped with Open3D (DECW$OPENGLSHR and
DECW$OPENGLUSHR).
Applications using only OpenGL V1.0 features may be linked against either
the Open3D images or the new Version 1.1 images. Applications using OpenGL
Version 1.1 features should be linked explicitly against the Version 1.1 images.
For further information on OpenGL support for the PowerStorm 300 and
PowerStorm 350, refer to the PowerStorm 300/350 Installation Guide and Release
Notes documentation shipped with the graphics card.
WARNING
If 3D graphics will be used extensively, particularly in an environment
using multiple PowerStorm 300 and PowerStorm P350s in a single
system, read and strictly observe the guidelines for setting SYSGEN
parameters and account quotas contained in the PowerStorm 300/350
OpenVMS Graphics Support Release Notes Version 1.1 and the Compaq
PowerStorm 300/350 Graphics Controllers Installation Guide shipped
with the graphics card. The Release notes can also be accessed on the
OpenVMS Documentation CD–ROM in the following directory:
Directory File Name
[73.DOCUMENTATION.PS_TXT] P300_350_REL_NOTES.PS,TXT
Programming Features 5–1