Cg

[KingJackal]

Think as in C, or C++ - but just for 3D graphics. A higher-level C based API to abstract low algorithmic details from 3D coding. A good move if you ask me. Hmmm - I've got some reading to do....

For an overview of Cg, go here:
http://www.nvnews.net/articles/cg_toolkit/cg_toolkit.shtml

The usual new articles are here:
NVIDIA Introduces 'Cg' - C for Graphics (http://www.reuters.com/co_news_presentation.jhtml;jsessionid=QOTM4F2LFHDQ ECRBAEZSFEYKEEATIIWD?type=companynews&provider=companynews&StoryID=1085714&symbol1=NVDA.O&symbol2=NVDA.O)
NVIDIA Ushers in a New Era in Graphics With Its Advanced Compiler For The Cg Language (http://www.reuters.com/co_news_presentation.jhtml;jsessionid=QOTM4F2LFHDQ ECRBAEZSFEYKEEATIIWD?type=companynews&provider=companynews&StoryID=1085699&symbol1=NVDA.O&symbol2=NVDA.O)
NVIDIA Cg Compiler and Cg Language Universally Embraced by the Graphics Community (http://www.reuters.com/co_news_presentation.jhtml;jsessionid=QOTM4F2LFHDQ ECRBAEZSFEYKEEATIIWD?type=companynews&provider=companynews&StoryID=1085735&symbol1=NVDA.O&symbol2=NVDA.O)

The 3D news sites are also keen to fill ya in:
http://www.bjorn3d.com/_preview.php?articleID=22
http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/S&V/nvcg.shtml
http://www.extremetech.com/article/0,3396,s=1017&a=28051,00.asp
http://www.3dgpu.com/previews/cglanguage.php

If this is anywhere NEAR as cool as I think it is, I'm gonna be adding this language ( API/extensionset/whatever ) to my belt soon. Hell, even if only for the sheer coolness of no longer griping with single polygon placement and culling in raw C OpenGL :rolleyes: :D

[KingJackal]

Silicon Graphics co-founder Kurt Akeley has gone on record by stating that "The biggest revolution in graphics in 10 years, and the foundation for the next 10" will be attributed to NV30 and the Cg toolkit.

ummm - SGI? THEY'RE impressed? The fathers of VR?
*gulp*
*downloads SDK*

Ah well, night all - gotta sleep, so I can be fresh enough to learn a new language tommorow! :eek: :D

[Solid Snake]

Kick @ss... I can make models & textures if you want ... that is if it isn't all hardware coded [hard coded models ...]

[mird-OC]

looks, umm, interesting tho... nice idea, although IMO, slightly redundant. i mean, i thought most of that sort of stuff was part of future OpenGL / OpenML... but i see that OpenGL are saying Cg will layer on top of OpenGL anyway. IMO, it sounds just like another way for nVidia to get an edge over their competitors.

hehe and SGI would probably say just about anything right now since they're basically 90% down the crapper already. they're probably counting on it to give them the boost they need to keep on their legs...

[KingJackal]

Nup - no competitive edge here.

Some of the compiler code is open source. Enough that any 3D vendor ( ATi, Matrox, whoever ) can write their own compiler, optimised for their graphics chips.

And it sure as hell ain't redundant. Future OpenGL specs are nice, but the ARB don't know how to MOVE THEIR MOFO ASSES!! :mad: With some commercial drive behind it, we'll actually go places.

I mean, shaders have been assembly coded for a couple of years now. A couple of YEARS. And where is the OpenGL support? Still coming..... :rolleyes:
*yawn*
I'm a big fan of OpenGL, but it ain't the most responsive API. DirectX has pretty much caught up, and with 8 and 9 starts to forge ahead.

[mird-OC]

yeah i guess it is probably a direct response to the pace of OpenGL development. but i'm still wary of any cross-platform technology developed by a company with a reputation like nVidia.