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Google Launches 3D Driver Project For Chrome
CWmike writes "Google has launched a new project for Chrome that will let the browser run a wider range of 3D graphics content without downloading additional drivers. The open-source project, called ANGLE (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine), seeks to let Chromium run WebGL content on Windows computers, wrote product manager Henry Bridge on the Chromium blog. WebGL is still-developing a cross-platform Web standard for accessing low-level 3D graphics hardware based on the OpenGL ES 2.0 API (application programming interface) that can be implemented directly in a browser without a plugin. 'ANGLE will allow Windows users to run WebGL content without having to find and install new drivers for their system,' Bridge wrote. Because ANGLE aims to use most of the OpenGL ES 2.0 API, it may help developers working on mobile and embedded devices, Bridge wrote. 'ANGLE should make it simpler to prototype these applications on Windows and also gives developers new options for deploying production versions of their code to the desktop.'"
It's an API that uses OpenGL. It isn't a driver.
No additional plugin, is it? Built right in? Direct access to low level 3D graphics hardware without finding drivers?
That'll do wonders for Chrome being the fastest browser. And double the download size.
So WebGL works fine on real operating systems that already have OpenGL, and because Microsoft suffered from its not-invented-here syndrome, Windows computers typically can not do WebGL because they have no OpenGL stack. That't the driver TFA is talking about.
because Microsoft suffered from its not-invented-here syndrome, Windows computers typically can not do WebGL because they have no OpenGL stack.
To be fair on MS, Direct3D wasn't invented there either: they bought it from another company, who had originally developed it before OpenGL was standardised. Once that was done, why would they switch to a competing product?
low-level 3D graphics hardware based on the OpenGL ES 2.0 API (application programming interface)...
Since when Slashdoters are not aware what "API" means? It is a changing world....
My computer has a opengl32.dll, and it has a Microsoft copyright. However, it does require the graphics card manufacturer to provide a driver for their card. I don't know which graphics card would not come with one these days. Have a look at Windows Vista and OpenGL - the facts.
Another somewhat interesting "issue" is the lack of Direct2D and DirectWrite support within Chrome in Windows. Some might know that Firefox 3.7 alpha, and IE9 has ability to use these API's and on some tests they simply beats the living crap out of Chromium.
There is open issue for lack of Direct2D and DirectWrite support in Chrome issue-tracker, I'm particularly interested how will Chrome respond to this attack.
Oh I like these browser wars, I wish they would have become earlier...
Parent is totally inaccurate. Windows supports OpenGL fine.
The issue is that Microsoft usually ships Windows with subpar distributions of graphics drivers for 3D support in general(not just OpenGL) compared to actual vendor drivers in terms of feature support beyond what you need to use basic Windows programs. Probably in some attempt to provide marginally more stable drivers historically under the assumption most users wouldn't need anything more than basic API support and everyone else would have their apps somehow manage to install/warn them to get a better driver package. This doesn't really work for WebGL, however.
Google could just have their installer get you to update your GPU driver, but overall this is probably a cleaner solution for long term support since you have about +/- 10 year support expectations for Direct3D on a GPU in a way that is far better tested than OpenGL for "last years model".
Historically Microsoft has pushed very hard for their own DirectX 3D api. This happened after the OpenGL standard was already common for Unix workstations and such.
So wether or not it's the card vendors or Microsoft, it's a fact that Microsoft created the non-uniformity of the 3D api world, by introducing its own non-open non-crossplatform standard.
So ofcourse one can run OpenGL on Windows, but it's not easy, not standard, and often works badly. Which is exactly what Microsoft wanted when it created DirectX. A new 3D standard, that would be used in gaming, and that would make it harder (i.e. more expensive) for applications to be crossplatform; it thereby served its purpose: continuing and extending the dominance of the Windows platform.
Great. 3D ads, even more annoying than the flash-based ones
So I guess instead of punching the monkey in an old-school style, I'll have more of an opportunity to hunt him down and flack cannon the bejesus out of him, all while I'm trying to do something more important in my browser, my CPU fans going nuts will help alert me that there is a monkey fragging opportunity where I'm sure to win an iPod Touch.
Sheldon
Will we see linux support? I would assume so because they are using OpenGL instead of DirectX...
... Microsoft suffered from its not-invented-here syndrome
Microsoft has never ever suffered from a not-invented-here syndrome, they'll happily use/copy whatever they can get their grubby hands on. Microsoft suffers from a not-controllable-by-us syndrome. Minor, but important, distinction. Once you understand that Microsoft seeks control, all their actions become quite logical. Unethical, immoral, but logical.
(Chromium Blog):
The goal of ANGLE is to layer WebGL's subset of the OpenGL ES 2.0 API over DirectX 9.0c API calls. (...) it will enable browsers like Google Chrome to run WebGL content on Windows computers without having to rely on OpenGL drivers.
(...) On Windows, however, most graphics-intensive apps use Microsoft Direct3D APIs instead of OpenGL, so OpenGL drivers are not always available.
That's no driver.
More like "implementation of WebGL over Direct3D".
How confused can the press be by simple things is beyond my understanding..
but will it run Crysis?
VRML was never used. For anything. How is this going to be different? What's the application? Javascript games?
In Capitalist America, bank robs you!
The support of Direct3D/OpenGL isn't the issue. It's realistic to think (or hope) that someone with the capability to completely change the web might choose to use an open standard.
ALERT!!! Microsoft is the psycho stalking boyfried of the computing world! Girls, never date him! You will need a restraining order in a matter of days!!!
I went out on a date with hime ONCE in 98. At first I thought he was a nice guy that just had a little quirky behavior. Crashing my window, letting malwares in, forgetting things I told him, sometimes bringing down my hole computers cause i forgots twos put the swap on a different partition, and he always would stutter alot. I was like "are you okay?" But I felt sorry for him because I thought maybe he was like...you know...a little retarded or something.
Then...i noticed he had integrated his browser into my entire os to avoid antitrust prosecution! He had this "embrace extend extingush" program. He would take a standard like java or kerberos and add incompatible stuff so when i would make stuff or try to talk to others with it, it wouldn't work with thier systems. Like totally not cool!
So then I tried dating other guys like OS/2 and Linux, but he totally found out and tried to put a stop to it with his nasty vendor lock in and stuff. I couldn't even find an isp which would let me connect without at least setting up with windows! Who does this guy think he is?
I met this cool guy called BeOS and thought we might hit it off, but the day we were supposed to go out, there was this eviction notice on his door. Apparently ole MS didn't want me dating Be either, so Be was pushed out of his job. The gaul! ARRRRGGGHHH.
He would totally like buy companies and make their stuff only work with his, so if you wanted to like do *anything*, you'd have to start dating him again. Then he started with the ultimate lock in: DRM, claiming "hollywood made me do it!" And I was like "no way! I'm never dating you again!"
So I just started dating that Linux guy because he was the only one left. ...well except for those BSD guys, which are really cool and I would like to date but they are totally high maintence and I am not up to the task these days. That microsoft guy is totally making it a pain too. I have to check all my hardware carefully to make sure they didn't only make it compatible with ms. Nasty.
In short, like stay away from microsoft. He is totally bad news! kthksby