Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!van-bc!ubc-cs!alberta!herald.usask.ca!regina!hercules!cazabon
From: cazabon@hercules (Charles Cazabon (186-003-526))
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.graphics
Subject: Re: Idea for a graphics board
Keywords: 24 bit
Message-ID: <479@regina.uregina.ca>
Date: 29 May 91 01:46:20 GMT
References: <1991May28.191019.13406@nntp-server.caltech.edu>
Sender: news@regina.uregina.ca
Reply-To: cazabon@hercules.uregina.ca (Charles Cazabon (186-003-526))
Organization: University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan
Lines: 43

In article <1991May28.191019.13406@nntp-server.caltech.edu> nygardm@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Michael T. Nygard) writes:
>Here's a description of my dream graphics board
>
>i860 processor for anti-aliasing lines, fast 3d polygon renders, Goroud & Phong 
>shading. (64 bit busses.)
>4M memory for frame buffer & z-buffer
>1024x1024x24 resolution
>8 bit z-buffer
>
>Anybody know of such a beast, or anything similar.  If not, I'll start doing
>some designs.
>

>Replies & suggestions are welcome
Replies and suggestions welcome...my suggestion is, go for it!  
You sound like you know what you are doing...I sure hope so.  If so, can you
forcast what ballpark price it would sell for?  I realize it would be a real
"guesstimate", but say, is it <$1000, $1000-$2000, or >$2000?

This is the perfect thing for me...if you find that the i860 processor is
either too expensive to implement, or does not seem too well suited for hardware
antialiasing, or such, perhaps you could see what is on the ATI VGAwonder
board.  Evidently it does hardware antialiasing as well.

My suggestions for the product:

Support for other resolutions than 1024x1024.  Say, the common ones, like
320x200, 320x400, 640x200, 640x400, 1024x768, etc.  Oh, plus overscan would
be nice.

Also, other colour resolutions.  Say, be able to kick it down into 8 bit colour
or 8 bit greyscale modes.

If it is not desgined for the video slot, how about making it Zorro III, so
us 3000 owners (I think you said you have one as well) can take advantage
of 32 bit bussing?

I'm too excited as it is--don't let this product be vapourware.  Oh yes, I have
yet to hear of such a "dream card" for the Amiga.

					   -Chuck
					   cazabon@hercules.uregina.ca