Archives for OpenGL Archives - Architosh
3D News: Khronos Group Launches Slang Initiative for Graphics
Slang offers the 3D industry advanced GPU shader development productivity and portability via broad industry collaboration
SPEC releases latest graphics benchmark
SPEC announced the latest release of its SPECviewperf 2020 v3.1 benchmark. This is a significant update to its industry-standard software for measuring graphics performance when using professional software applications.
Tech Soft 3D Advances CAD Technologies — New Accelerations
Apple Silicon support, deeper AEC technologies, and new analysis and simulation acquisitions are just some of the developments propelling Tech Soft 3D’s software kits that power leading AEC and MCAD industry solutions.
BIM is Central to Vectorworks’ Growth Strategy—Upcoming Technologies Revealed
Vectorworks is treating its BIM/CAD platform like an “OS” for design while building out features for ever-sharper market advantages in specific industry verticals.
Khronos Group Releases Vulkan 1.2—Graphics API Takes Off
Vulkan 1.2 integrates 23 proven extensions into the core Vulkan API—propels low-level graphics API standard further and with very wide industry adoption and support.
Recaping the Latest News—Apple’s New Mac Pro, Metal 2 and NVIDIA
Apple and NVIDIA are not coming back together anytime soon. So Mac pros need to forget about RTX and CUDA and look forward to a future of Mac Pro apps optimized around Metal 2 and its successors powered by AMD high-end GPUs inside of highly customized and optimized workstation hardware from Apple in new Mac Pros. The good news is: the key developers appear all in.
WebGL 2.0—Why It’s the Path to Stable Open Standards-based 3D Web Graphics
As WebGL 2.0 has emerged into a powerful technology built on the back of a very successful WebGL 1.0 now fully utilized across numerous professional CAD and 3D apps on the Web. This feature discusses this history and why WebGL 2.0 is such a crucial standard.
Fireside Chat—The Details Behind Vectorworks 2019
Architosh talks to Dr. Biplab Sarkar about some of the nuances and rationales behind the latest big features in Vectorworks 2019.
SIG’18: Siggraph 2018 — Vancouver Highlights From Computer Graphics Show
Akiko Ashley covers the recent SIGGRAPH computer graphics show from Vancouver, noting the highlight announcements in 3D software and VR/AR/MR technologies along with key hardware from Nvidia.
Apple Moving Away From OpenGL—What Is The Answer for Developers Now?
Apple has announced they are deprecating OpenGL in macOS, the open industry supported cross-platform graphics API that has largely enabled the massive proliferation of professional CAD and 3D apps to reach across platforms like Windows and arrive on macOS.
Vulkan Coming to Apple — Alternative to Metal API Headed to Mac and iOS
Valve, LunarG and The Brenwill Workshop have joined forces with the Khronos Group to bring the industry-standard low-level graphics API, Vulkan, to the Apple macOS and iOS platforms.
Khronos Group Launches OpenGL 4.6 Adopters Program
The open industry 3D graphics standard, OpenGL, advances forward by the Khronos Group with new Conformance Test Suite in Open Source.
Product Review: Vectorworks Architect 2018
Vectorworks 2018’s new “multi-views” technology may be the show stopper in the latest release, but as John Helm notes, this is also the most sturdy first release in a long time.
ToolTalk: An Introduction to AutoQ3D for Mac—Fast and Easy CAD
As part of our TalkTalk series, in this post we walk the reader through a CAD tool on the Mac that is relatively new and worthy of attention—AutoQ3D for Mac.
A Unified Graphics Future—How The Khronos Group Intends To Get Us There (Part 2)
Neil Trevett, President of The Khronos Group, talks to Architosh in this two-part series about OpenGL and the future of graphics standards.
A Unified Graphics Future—How The Khronos Group Intends To Get Us There (Part 1)
Neil Trevett, President of The Khronos Group, talks to Architosh in this two-part series about OpenGL and the future of graphics standards.
SIG: The Khronos Group Releases Major Update to Graphics API—OpenGL 4.6 with SPIR-V Support
SPIR-V support added to OpenGL in version 4.6—update to industry standard graphics API specification will liberate shader-language development for content creators and 3D developers, among other updates.
SIG: SIGGRAPH 2017 Shaping Up to be Big Show—Preview Talk
Why are VR and AR companies taking root in the LA area? What is the state of the union in portability with graphics APIs so that the most apps can be written to the most platforms? These are some of the core questions Architosh is asking as it heads into the exciting week ahead with SIGGRAPH 2017.
GDC: Khronos Reveals API Updates and New Working Group at Game Developers Conference
Consortium releases Vulkan features, WebGL 2.0 and new OpenXR working group; group hosts series of events for the developer community.
Apple’s WebGPU Standard Proposal—Aiming at Common Access to Explicit Graphics
Apple’s Webkit team is proposing a new industry group to discuss the future of 3D graphics on the web—one that can develop a standard API that leverages modern GPU features.
Khronos Places OpenGL and OpenGL ES Conformance Tests into Open Source
Developer community can contribute to test development and evolution; open source 3D API implementations can freely use tests to increase quality.
Product Review: Vectorworks Architect 2017
Does Vectorworks Architect 2017 match up to the tremendous volume of new innovations in last year’s upgrade? In this in-depth product review, architect John Helm takes a look at all the new features and improvements.
Dr. Sarkar Reveals Details Behind Development of New Vectorworks 2017 Software
Some of the biggest feature updates in Vectorworks 2017 are discussed in detail, and we learn how the company is thinking more “multi-generational” while still being intensely customer-driven to better position itself as a leading BIM competitor.
The Khronos Group releases Vulkan 1.0 API Specification
The Khronos Group has now released the Vulkan API for graphics and compute on GPUs, a bonafide positive development for the IT world, providing software developers numerous benefits and options.
Cinema 4D maker MAXON joins the open industry standard Khronos Group
Developer of Cinema 4D brings 3D know-how to international consortium for open standards. By joining the Khronos Group, MAXON reasserts its ongoing commitment to support the development of open standards that enable the authoring and acceleration of 3D graphics, games and media on a wide variety of platforms and devices.
SIG: Khronos Invites Industry Participation to Create Safety Critical Graphics and Compute Standards
New ‘Safety Critical’ working group to adapt OpenGL ES and Vulkan APIs
for markets requiring system certification – including avionics and automotive.
SIG: Khronos Expands Scope of 3D Open Standard Ecosystem
This latest expansion gives Vulkan the next generation graphics API from Khronos high-efficiency access to graphics and provides applications direct control over GPU accelaration for maximized performance and predictability. The new OpenGL® ES 3.2 specification absorbs AEP functionality to enhance pervasive graphics capabilities across mobile, consumer and automotive devices. As for OpenGL Extensions, one of its greatest strengths is that it was designed to be readily extensible to accommodate new hardware innovations.
Apple’s Number One CAD Vendor Optimistic about Metal for OS X
Longtime Mac CAD stalwart developer, Nemetschek Vectorworks, has told Architosh they are optimistic about Apple’s new low-level graphics API—Metal.
Mac 3D News: Apple bringing Metal API to Mac OS X—Confirmed
Apple said that its new proprietary Metal graphics API will move from iOS to Mac OS X. This move comes as expected and matches Microsoft’s efforts to allow programmers to program “to the metal” with less abstraction and driver overhead, freeing the GPU to unwind its true hardware powers. The net result is super-charged graphics performance. This move bodes well for OS X but will force developers to choose between an array of new and closed graphics standards.
Khronos speaks to Architosh about the new Vulkan Graphics API: What it Means
In this special feature Architosh digs into the main elements behind the new Vulkan graphics and compute GPU API in a discussion with The Khronos Group president Neil Trevett to get at what all this means for computing and graphics going forward.
Boston area startup OnShape Re-invents CAD—In the Cloud and Platform Agnostic
A startup in Boston backed by MCAD veterans—OnShape—has finally unveiled its innovative fully cloud-based MCAD software, now a public beta, and the news of the unveiling has been rather well embraced, including a spread in the Boston Globe.
Five Things Apple users might want to know about the new Vulkan Graphics API
We discuss five issues about Vulkan and its impact on Apple in both desktop and mobile markets, and this article is chock full of info not yet contained in our other Vulkan reports.
The Future of Graphics: Introducing Vulkan—Heir Apparent to OpenGL / OpenGL ES
Khronos Group, the stewards of computer industry open standards like OpenGL and WebGL, have announced the Vulkan, a next-generation graphics API system and replacement to industry-standard and leading OpenGL and OpenGL ES.
Mac 3D News: Open-source Blender gets update to version 2.73
The latest version of Blender, build 2.73, now features a full-screen user-interface, numerous new features, improved Collada and FBX support, etc. Blender runs on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Product Review: Nemetschek Vectorworks Architect 2015
In this product review we take a detailed stroll through the big main VGM, BIM and 2D features in the latest version of Vectorworks Architect 2015. Introduced this past fall, Vectorworks 2015 advances on the 3D front while still providing refinements and interesting additions to those who enjoy its many 2D features.
Mac 3D News: Inivis releases new AC3D 7.3 for Mac, Linux and Windows
Inivis updates their AC3D 3D modeling application for Mac, Linux and Windows adding several interesting features requested by users
Dr. Biplab Sarkar Talks to Architosh About Nemetschek Vectorworks 2015
Dr. Biplab Sarkar, Chief Technology Officer of Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. discusses the latest release of Vectorworks 2015 and the technical achievements and technology behind this important update.
Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. announces upcoming Vectorworks 2015 Product Line
At a press-only event Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc., this week announced their upcoming Vectorworks 2015 product line, including the new Renderworks 2015 as well. Dramatic new features include a host of rendering and visualization capabilities due to advancements to its proprietary VGM code base, plus improvements to Spotlight, Landmark and Architect.
SIG: Wrap up on GPU Hardware at SIGGRAPH 2014
Both AMD and Nvidia had brand new GPU hardware to announce at last week’s SIGGRAPH conference in Vancouver, Canada. We take a look at what they announced…
AIA: AutoDesSys and Autodesk demonstrate upcoming technologies
Reports from AIA National Chicago: Looking at upcoming technologies from two veteran software companies in AEC…
Product Review: Nemetschek Vectorworks Architect 2014
In this feature review architect John Helm takes us through Vectorworks Architect 2014 and its many new features, including its new OpenGL rendering improvements and more…
Brotens intros new Lighting CAD software Illuminando for Mac OS X
An Italian software developer has introduced a brand new program called Illuminando, noted as the world’s most advanced lighting calculation program — built uniquely on OS X
Khronos Releases OpenGL ES 3.1 Uses Royalty-Free 3D Graphics API
Able to used on virtually all smartphones and tablets, OpenGL ES 3.1 adds advanced 3D features and integrated GPU computing.
Khronos Releases OpenGL ES 3.1–Advances 3D graphics and integrated GPU computing on mobile devices
Apple’s market-leading iPhones and iPads just got a little bit better–in the near future. New OpenGL ES 3.1 has been released and iOS and other mobile operating systems will be able to tap its power in the new feature
The new Mac Pro – A Buyer’s Guide Through the Best Test Results
This guide-oriented feature article explores the details surrounding the new Mac Pro and its performance benchmarking found throughout the web, with summary reference to particular industries and their common applications
Punch ViaCAD 9 series available through Cadsoft Solutions
cadsoft solutions is now shipping the new ViaCAD Version 9 product line from Punch Software
Nemetschek Vectorworks releases Vectorworks Product Line for Japan
A localized version of Vectorworks products is now available in Japan
Imagination does big update to PowerVR Graphics SDK
Imagination Technologies has announced a major update to its PowerVR Graphics
Amazon and Nvidia enable new EC2 GPU Instance Type – Brings powerful CAD/3D apps to the masses via the Cloud
Amazon’s new EC2 GPU Instance Type will power next-generation of CAD/3D apps in the cloud
Tech Soft 3D ships HOOPS Visualize v20
Tech Soft 3D releases HOOPS Visualize v20 — 3D Software Toolkit for Application Developers
Write a 3D Software Engine from Scratch
Ever wondered what was involved in making a drawing or CAD program draw a basic line between two points?
Details on Vectorworks Graphics Module (VGM) in new Vectorworks 2014
We provide details on the new Vectorworks Graphics Module (VGM) in Vectorworks 2014, soon to be announced
Mavericks brings OpenGL 4.1 plus notes on the new Mac Pros
OS X Mavericks will be a much better operating environment for CAD and 3D professionals — New OpenGL 4.1 benchmarks put it square with Windows
Product In-Depth: SolidThinking Evolve 9.5’s Modeling Prowess
In this feature Product In-Depth article Adel Matar, senior product specialist for solidThinking, Inc. in Europe, spoke to us in detail about the latest version of solidThinking Evolve 9.5 with a particular focus on how the program works and its modeling capabilities. We also spoke quite a bit at length about architectural conceptual modeling–an area we hope to see solidThinking address more as its parent company Altair gets more focused and interested in the AEC market.
Product Review: AMD Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Edition
Architosh reviews AMD Radeon based Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Edition graphics card for Apple Mac Pros. This latest board from Sapphire offers users AMD’s 28nm based Graphics Core Next (GCN) Architecture with up to 4.3 billion transistors and highly tuned for OpenCL. We put it through a whole series of benchmarks across both gaming and pro markets, plus real world tests.
Product Review: AutoCAD for Mac 2013
In this feature article Architosh takes a look at Autodesk AutoCAD for Mac 2013, with a general review of the application and a particular discussion of its user-interface
Mac Pro users gain unprecedented new graphics performance thanks to Nvidia Quadro K5000
Nvidia announces new Quadro K5000 GPU for Mac Pros at IBC
Corel’s new CorelCAD – Mid-level entry into Mac CAD market
Corel’s new CorelCAD is latest entry into the mid-level CAD cross-platform CAD market
Tidbits: Autodesk 123D, OpenCL in CAD and more
Mac CAD and 3D News: We have tidbits on Maxon’s 25th anniversary sale for CINEMA 4D; news on Autodesk’s new SketchUp competitor; plus a reference to an interesting article on OpenCL development in CAD
