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From: jcs@crash.cts.com (John Schultz)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: VR on Small Machines? (Seeking VC, publisher)
Message-ID: <6883@crash.cts.com>
Date: 13 Jan 91 05:14:21 GMT
References: <13838@milton.u.washington.edu> <6793@crash.cts.com> <14185@milton.u
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In <14185@milton.u.washington.edu> akk@trantor.informatik.uni-erlangen.de (Andy 
Klingler) writes:

>In article <6793@crash.cts.com>, John Schultz writes:

>>   Absolutely. You'll need at least a 25Mhz 68030, with 32 bit memory.
>> I've developed a system that will be available RSN. The display is
>> 320x200x4 LC-Stereo Shutter, sound is four channel D/A (two stereo
>> pairs).

>Hm. Sounds like an A3000 :-)

  It was developed on a 25Mhz GVP 68030. It has been run on 16Mhz 68020s,
33Mhz 68030s and the A3000. The graphics are slightly faster on the A3000
due to the 32bit chip ram, but overall the 33Mhz GVP is fastest.

>Can you supply some more information?
>(How is the software done; what data formats; additional hardware)

  The data format is custom, ASCII text. Conversion from other popular
formats to come when funding becomes available. Additional hardware:
X-Specs stereo LC glasses, CH FlightStick analog joystick, custom
gameport adaptor, stereo audio system (any). I've got the PowerGlove,
but have not hooked it up yet (don't have the serial hardware and
passcode for raw data mode (it's copyrighted). I'll wait until a legal
method becomes available for PowerGlove support).

>> does anaglyph stereo (very inexpensive!). Worlds must be relatively simple
>> in order to keep the frame rate between 15-30 frames/sec, as rendering
>> is done with the 68030 (faster than the blitter). When the 34020 or

>Wouldn`t it be faster to do the drawing with the blitter and the
>necessary calculations with the 030 at the same time?
 
  Nope. The 68030 is much faster than the blitter for filling polygons.
There is much waste in setting up the blitter to fill polygons, and the
end result looks terrible (system routines re-outline the masks, and
they are *really* slow).
  
>How many polygons can you draw?

  As many as you like. Of course, frame rate is inversely proportional
to polygon count. I can fly a simple jet with moveable rudder, stabilator,
ailerons, retracts, etc, and simple terrain at 15-30 frames/sec stereo.

  Any venture capitalists, bankers, daddy warbucks, publishers, etc,
please contact me for a demo. I'm located in sunny San Diego.


  John Schultz
  (619) 442-5880