When if comes to the adoption of the OpenGL based WebGL all the major browser developers are backing it - with the exception of Microsoft. Under Vista and Windows 7 OpenGL runs under a DirectX wrapper which provides some hardware acceleration but it is still slower than the native hardware acceleration provided by an OpenGL driver. As a result OpenGL generally reverts to either version 1.1.
Upgrade to opengl 4.1 how to#
The biggest problem for OpenGL is Microsoft - but Microsoft aren't doing a good job of promoting DirectX either.Īlthough the OpenGL library is included with all versions of Windows it generally runs without hardware acceleration unless the user is smart enough to know how to install OpenGL device drivers for their graphics hardware. Support for OpenCL has also been improved which isn't really suprising as the same organisation, Khronos, is responsible for both open source projects. Separation of fragment and vertex shaders is a logical step bringing OpenGL in line with DirectX and shaders can now use 64-bit precision. For example, you can now load precompiled shaders from disk rather than having to create them on the fly. Other improvements are mostly aimed at GPU use. It is, however, clear from the emphasis placed both on the backward compatibility of the new release and its OpenGL compatibility that its new role and importance is well understood. The latest release has full compatibility with OpenGL ES 2.0, a feature that should make it easier to port applications from the desktop to mobile devices - although of course there are many other issues than 3D in moving from the desktop to a mobile device. Now, in addition to the traditional platforms running full OpenGL, we have OpenGL ES which provides reduced 3D support on iOS 4 (iPhone, iPad) and the latest Android OS.Īdd this to the fact that OpenGL is the core technology behind WebGL which adds 3D to the HTML5 Canvas object, and you can appreciate that covers most platforms and uses. If you create an app using DirextX then you have targeted Windows but if you opt for OpenGL you can in theory run your creation almost anywhere.
Upgrade to opengl 4.1 mac os#
However, OpenGL has always had one huge advantage in being platform independent - it runs under Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and most flavours of Unix, not to mention many games consoles. On the desktop OpenGL has suffered from being an also-ran compared to the all encompassing DirectX under Windows. OpenGL is becoming increasingly important as it powers 3D graphics on mobile phones and web pages.
Upgrade to opengl 4.1 update#
This is the sixth update in two years which indicates the renewed energy in the OpenGL development camp. A new decimal point upgrade of OpenGL - OpenGL 4.1 - signals a revival in the 3D framework's fortunes.