rec.autos.simulators

This subject has done the rounds a bit, but I still don't quite get it
yet... I'm trying to understand the differences between them but keep
getting confused.

Rendition cards (like Diamond Stealth 3D 2000) support Microsoft's
Direct3D, DirectX, DirectDraw (whatever that is). Correct?
From what I've been hearing in the group, 3dfx cards (like Diamond Monster)
provide the best graphics, but they don't support Direct3D or DirectX do
they?

So what do games support? What card should I buy?
Microsoft's idea with Direct is to provide a common interface to
programmers regardless of hardware, so are games authors going for it? If I
get a 3dfx, what games support it and am I better off getting a Direct
supportive one for the furture?
I gather Ubisoft's F1RS supports both, but the 3dfx version is better. But
what will I miss out on if I got a 3dfx?

Thanks in advance for any info...
 - Gwyn.

Diamond monster and other 3dfx cards **DO** support Microsofts D3D!!!!!!!!
dont know whjo told ya otherwise but they are wrong!.

--
Chris Shaw,
The New White Wriggler?!                

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/newriggler

The Stealth is not a Rendition card. The Stealth II is. And it Direct3D
only. Direct3D is a part of DirectX and Directeverything else are separate
parts of DirectX. No graphics card will affect DirectSound, common sense
will tell you why. DirectDraw isn't needed with a 3D card, since its all
done in 3D. Either Direct3D or DirectDraw will be used. 3Dfx cards support
Direct3D, and just about everyone supports 3Dfx, so get a 3Dfx card.
www.3dfx.com.

I really like mine.  It's not a replacement to your regular video card, but
an addition, that has a cable that connects to your 2D card.  Whenever it
recognizes software that is compatible with it, then it takes over,
otherwise, your 2D video card is in control.  3dfx is widely supported by
many 3D games...and those that don't, have 3dfx patches available over the
internet.  From what I hear, there is going to be a 3dfx patch for Papyrus
Nascar2 sometime around X-mas.

Some of the games that have 3dfx support include: Tomb Raiders, Mech
Warrior, Quake, Lands of Lore-Guardians of Destiny, MDK, and many more.

I suggest you go to the following *** web site, which has a lot more info
than I can provide:
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

Regards,
Rich

Hi Rich.
Thanks for the info (and also to the others who replied - Chris Shaw and
Robin Sequira)

I guess the message is that 3dfx does support Direct. The reason I was
confused is that I was looking through adverts and saw all the cards that
purported to support Direct, but the 3dfx ones didn't mention it (although
they mentioned lots of other impressive sounding blurb). Then I saw a post
here from someone saynig they had a Diamond Stealth (which supports Direct)
AND a Diamond Monster, so I couldn't work out if I needed both.

So it sounds like all I need is a Diamond Monster, then I can play all the
Direct 3D games AND the even better 3dfx ones. Right?
Am I really not losing out on anything with a 3dfx?
What will be the advantages of the new Voodoo chipset next year? Will it be
faster for existing 3dfx games, or just provide extra features that we will
have to wait for games to take advantage of?

Cheers, Gwyn.

First of all lets get some things straightened out.

Some game titles can use hardware based 3D
acceleration. Unless you have a 3D card, you
cannot take advantage of 3D hardware accelleration.

There are two major methods for programming
for 3D hardware acceleration. These are :-

1. Microsofts Direct 3D (Known as D3D and can be used by
    most 3D cards including Rendition II and 3dfx cards)

2. 3dfx Glide (Can only be used if you have a 3dfx 3D card)

Note that Glide produces the most spectacular graphics
and the highest frame rates of the two methods.

Note that 3dfx cards handle both Glide games and D3D games
and it is for this reason that you should get a 3dfx over any
other 3D card.

Cheers JOhn Cookson (Canada)