Graphics Libraries and T&L Patches
As indicated by the previous reference to the diverse software by KoolSmoky, the work of 3dfxzone.it is focused not only on driver updates for 3dfx video cards but also on the development and optimization of other components essential for compatibility with video games on one hand and maximizing their performance on the other. Among these components, a prominent position is held by graphics libraries that work in synergy with video drivers, such as MesaFX and Glide. The latter were originally developed by 3dfx as proprietary APIs for Voodoo Graphics graphics accelerators. They later became fully supported hardware features on all subsequent boards equipped, of course, with a 3dfx graphics processor (including Voodoo Rush, Voodoo2, Banshee, Voodoo3, Voodoo4, and Voodoo5) and eventually evolved into open-source software[4].
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Painkiller in demo version running on a 3dfx Voodoo5 6000 after an update with a T&L patch |
Also worth mentioning are T&L patches, which are a set of updates for video games based on the powerful 3D-Analyze technology. This technology, strongly supported and advocated by 3dfxzone.it from its early releases, is aimed at introducing compatibility for 3dfx video cards, which are known not to have hardware-level Transform and Lighting (T&L) support, with games designed to extensively utilize this feature. For example, T&L patches were created for video cards equipped with one or more VSA-100 graphics processors (including Voodoo4 4500, Voodoo5 5500, and Voodoo5 6000), targeting games such as BloodRayne, Painkiller, and Spider-Man.
Notes
- (EN) The Glide Project on SourceForge, on sourceforge.net.