Xi Graphics supports 3D hardware acceleration.

Jeremy Chatfield from xig wrote in to tell us that they are now working on an new version of their X Server that features accelerated 3d GL for several major chipsets, as well as several other nifty features like Wacom and Wheel support. Hit the link below to read the details.

Xi Graphics has scooped the prize for the first shipping OpenGL offering 3D hardware acceleration for Linux. The company has also shipped the product for UNIXware 7 and Solaris/x86. Five graphics chips are supported in the first release, a "Technical Demo" targetted at developers, prior to the delivery of the final release for end users.

The supported chips were selected to offer a wide variety of implementation rather than any other reason. They are:

• Number 9 Revolution IV
• Intel 740
• 3Dlabs Permedia 2
• 3Dlabs Glint Delta + MX
• SiS 6326

More chips will be supported before the product ships to end users.

The new product line, called "Accelerated-X/OGL" is offering the Tech Demo as a limited edition for developers. New features that are different from previous Accelerated-X releases include:

• X11R6.4
• Linux/glibc2 based
• OpenGL 1.1.1
• New 2D X Server core architecture
• Spaceball (Logitech Magellan) support
• Wacom support
• Wheel-button and IBM Scrollpoint support

Anyone interested in using this product should contact [e-mail] . Free updates and upgrades for a year and a free upgrade to the final shipping product are offered.

Speed? Xi Graphics is not quoting speed as it is expected to improve significantly with Evolution 2, now in development. The product may reach Evolution 3 or 4 before it beats the best of the IHV developed OpenGL implementations, but the company is pretty certain that barring undocumented chip tricks by IHV's, it will beat the speed of any other implementation on the same chip.

The first public demonstration of the technology by Xi Graphics will be given to the Manchester Linux User Group in the UK on Saturday 17th at 2pm BST by Jeremy Chatfield.

For more company details, check www.xig.com

Cheers, JeremyC.