| Q&A |
Luciano
Alibrandi, Technical Marketing Manager nVidia Europe.
14/10/02
Liens
>Cgshaders.org
>developer.nvidia
>CgToolkit
|
| Q1 |
A brief
presentation of Cg. |
| A1 |
Cg
is the high level language for programming GPUs, developed by
NVIDIA in close collaboration with Microsoft. Today’s
software applications are, by and large, developed with a programming
language called “C” or “C++.” However,
when it comes to creating complex visual effects, developers
have had to use a highly restrictive Assembly language. The
Cg programming language—“C for graphics”—gives
developers a major leap forward in ease and speed of programming
the special effects that enable real-time cinematic quality
graphics experiences on the desktop. Programs no longer need
to be written directly to the graphics hardware, enabling rapid
development of stunning, real-time shaders and visual effects
for both DirectX® and OpenGL® environments. |
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| Q2 |
Will
Cg changes the way 3d developpers work? |
| A2 |
A
high-level language like Cg, with inherently simplified abstractions
for common operations, offers an immediate and dramatic productivity
boost for programmers. Over the long term, high-level languages
reduce the time required for ongoing training. Each programmer
does not need to maintain expertise on every platform and API
nuance. Similarly, application and game vendors will be better
able to find programmers that can competently program using
the higher-level language.
These benefits will affect the entire development community
and result in shorter, less-costly development cycles for shader-dependent
applications. With built-in optimizations, Cg also offloads
the programmer from the arduous and difficult task of tuning
the application for specific hardware. |
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| Q3 |
Is
Cg more optimized for nVidia 3D Chip than those from ATI, 3D
Labs or Matrox? |
| A3 |
Cg
will work with all the above mentioned companies and will generate
optimal code for NVIDIA GPUs. |
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| Q4 |
Is
Cg more optimized for DirectX than OpenGL? |
| A4 |
Cg
provides a common language for both OpenGL and DirectX.
|
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| Q5 |
Is
Cg compatible with Open GL 2.0 future features? |
| A5 |
NVIDIA
is committed to supporting all OpenGL standards, after they
are approved by the ARB. |
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|
| Q6 |
Is
there a chance that 3D web technologies take advantage of Cg? |
| A6 |
There
are already 3D applications for the web that uses for example
the T&L engines of previous generation graphics. I believe
CG will allow the creation of more compelling 3D Web experience.
So the short reply is YES. |
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|
| Q7 |
Is
it possible to display high quality Visual effects such as blur
motion, field of view, fluid effects with Cg? |
| A7 |
Sure,
the programmable engines of today’s GPUs will allow just
that. The ease of programming with Cg makes it possible to develop
a much broader range of effects. Game developers can introduce
more unique effects and visualizations to set their game apart
from the competition. Motion blur and other camera effects,
Procedural wood, marble, and other surfaces, Accurate skin,
muscles, and hair, Realistic and dynamic vegetation and trees,
Reflective metals are just few examples. |
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| Q8 |
Will
next generation of nVidia 3D chip reinforce the influance of
Cg? |
| A8 |
Definetly
yes. The creation of fantastic shaders that CG will enable will
push the boundaries to a new level of realism. The next step
is to display not faster images per second but better images.
CG will help developer in creating stunning effect in a short
time. |
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|
| Q9 |
nVidia
projects that realtime engine will reach scanline render quality
in few years. Is it really possible? What about realtime shadows,
will it keep remain far away from ray tracing results? |
| A9 |
Few
years ago we were astonished when looking at Virtual Fighter
on NV1 and we thought that was simply amazing. We moved then
to the programmable engine of the GF3 products and by watching
at the Chameleon demo we were simply blown away. It is clear
that we are at the edge of a big change that will allow a much
higher precision and quality. Shadows will definetly benefit
from the new language and the future GPUs.
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| Q10 |
3D
Web technologies requires high compression of texture and geometry.
Will nVidia work closer with 3D web editors in order to enhance
3D web experiences? |
| A10 |
The
goal at NVIDIA is to work as close as we can with Developers
and to provide them the right tools to speed up the operations
and to increase the quality of the content they area generating,
this does not apply only to 3D Games programmer but programmers
in general. |
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