3D acceleration traditionally was done (if at all) by using the main CPU's processing power to do 3D rendering and other 3D graphic routines. Just like 2D acceleration, as the amount of graphics increased the more the CPU became lagged. With hardware acceleration for 3D, there is programming code in which to program 3D hardware acceleration into (3D APIs). However, not all 3D cards can be programmed to their best configuration through the same code. Direct 3D is and API supported by all 3D cards, and is usually used. But, the more powerful 3D chips like the 3Dfx and Rendition Verite, require special native code to be used to take full advantage of their capabilities.
The majority of 3D cards offer several different 3D technologies, and here is a list of a few of them. If you are interested in all of the features, or more detail, Hercules a video card manufacturer, has a great online 3D reference.
- 3D APIs
As stated earlier, 3D APIs are the code used to program software for 3D accelerators. API stands for Application Programming Interface. There are several different 3D APIs used today, such as: Direct 3D, OpenGL, 3Dfx Glide, Renderware, and more. - Alpha Bending
Alpha Bending is how transparent objects are used. With Alpha Bending, if will effect the color of an object standing behind something transparent. (Someone standing behind a red glass pane window would have some degree of redness.) - Depth Cueing
Depth Cueing is a process that changes the color and brightness of objects as they move farther away. So, when an object is 500 feet away, it isn't as bright or clear as if it were right in front of you. - Fogging
Fogging does just what you would expect it to, it creates all the fog elements. - Mip Mapping
Mip mapping uses different texture maps for perspective. Each texture map is detailed slightly differently, so objects can reflect less detail as they move farther away.
With this article about 3D accelerators, my series of about video cards is beginning to end. I probably will have one more article on the topic of video cards, so if you want me to write about something specific, make sure to E-mail me.
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