HP Professional AP500 Graphics: The Workstation Difference - Page 1

Technology Brief April 1999 0054-0499-A Prepared by Workstation Division Compaq Computer Corporation Contents Workstations and Graphics .......3 Graphics: The Total System Approach 4 Industry Standard Interfaces......5 Graphics Hardware 5 OpenGL 7 AGP and PCI 8 PCI Bus 8 AGP 9 Conclusion 11 Graphics: The Workstation Difference Abstract: Graphics are the most visible and most critical part of workstations. Focusing on 3D graphics, this paper explores the role and importance of graphics and recommends graphics products for specific needs. A discussion of graphics implementation issues is included, which examines when graphics operations make sense to implement in hardware and which should remain in software. Finally, key graphics interfaces -- both software and hardware -- are explored. This paper should increase understanding of workstation graphics and help in choosing graphics devices. Help us improve our technical communication. Let us know what you think about the technical information in this document. Your feedback is valuable and will help us structure future communications. Please send your comments to: [email protected]