3Dlabs GVX1, User Manual

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Terms and Definitions
Chapter 4 - Glossary 24
Graphics Accelerator Card
A graphics accelerator performs 3D functions in the hardware, thereby relieving the CPU of
repetitive, complex and intensive calls. This results in enhanced performance and speed.
Heidi
The API developed by Autodesk to work with its products, such as 3D Studio MAX and
AutoCAD.
MIP-Mapping (for texture processing)
A feature that delivers photo-realistic images by wrapping 2D bitmaps around 3D objects
closely matching the texture to the object. MIP-Mapping allows different versions of a texture
to be used for objects of different sizes. It also enables faster performance as textures do not
need to be scaled in real time.
Multiple Resolution Support
The ability to support multiple resolutions on the screen.
OpenGL
The industry standard library of advanced 3D graphics functions developed by Silicon
Graphics, Inc.
Perspective Correction
A function that allows an object to maintain its 3D textural features as it moves away from the
viewer, into the background.
Pipelining
A basic hardware tool for accelerating processes.
Pixel
The smallest addressable element of a cathode ray tube display. More simply put, the
individual dots that make up the screen image.
Point Sampling
The basic method of adding texture to an object. Point sampling does not include any
filtering of textures.
RAMDAC
The final component in the graphics subsystem that translates a digital image into an analog
representation.
Rasterization
A method to fill in colors for all pixels bound by vertices.
Rendering
The final and most rigorous stage in the 3D pipeline where an object undergoes shading,
texturing, etc.
RISC
Reduced Instruction Set Computing.
SDRAM
Synchronous DRAM is a cost-effective solution to improve bandwidth to and from memory,
resulting in increased graphics performance.