toddh@UCSD.EDU (Todd Heckel) (03/11/91)
Here in the 900 Group at Megatek Corporation, we are
working on upgrades to our current product, the 944
Visual Image Generator. Primarily aimed at simulation
and training, this system is targeted at the low-
to mid-range section of the marketplace, meaning
a channel typically rolls out the door for between
$100K to $200K.
The 944 is capable of generating Gouraud-shaded, 24-bit
RGB high-resolution (1024 x 1024) images at "up to"
60 hz. It can currently process 100,000 independent,
single light-source shaded 4-sided polygons per second.
We use a proprietary scan-line Z-buffer algorithm that
provides 32-bit floating-point accuracy during hidden-
surface-removal with no database sorting required, which
allows us to support hundreds of moving objects per
scene. Pixels are rendered at the rate of 40 million
per second.
Of course, numbers are one thing, actual performance is
another. The 944 was designed from the start with
real-time, "out-the-window" image generation in mind.
In that respect, we believe that the 944 can achieve the
highest sustained graphics performace in the industry,
particularly when it comes to filling pixels. For
instance, in every customer comparison or benchmark
involving us and SGI, we have come out on top. Now,
don't get me wrong, SGI makes a nice CAD box, but we're
talking real-time, full-screen images here.
We currently bundle the 944 with a Sun 4/330 CPU and
peripherals. We provide our own software library,
which we again have designed from the start with
real-time graphics in mind. The software provides for
the creation and management of an object-oriented,
hierarchical display-list with minimal effort or
complexity required of the application.
Future upgrades to the 944 will include provisions
for multiple Display List Processors (for up to 500K
independent polygons per second) and multiple Pixel
Processors (for up to 320M pixels per second) as well
as texture-mapping and real-time anti-aliasing.
Obviously, we're talking about high-end when it comes
to VW. Still, if you want the highest-fidelity, it's
gonna' cost a pretty penny for some time to come.
--
Todd Heckel
Megatek Corporation uunet!megatek!toddh
9645 Scranton Road or (619)455-5590
San Diego, CA 92121 toddh@megatek.uucp (619)453-7603 FAX