rec.autos.simulators

> > Can someone please explain EXACTLY what the Bias
> > setting does in GPL?

> Sets the LOD (Level Of Detail) bias for 3D objects in
> GPL.  Quite a few 3D objects in GPL come in multiple
> detail levels, a car model for instance may have a high
> detail level than includes lots of triangles and textures,
> a medium detail level that scales back both, and a
> low detail level that is fairly basic.  GPL uses distance
> from the viewer to determine which model to render
> so the closer you are to an object the higher the
> detail you will see.  The bias just moves the minimum
> distance required to switch to lower detail models
> out so that at the maximum setting you will probably
> always see the highest detail model.

> Since GPL doesn't do much in the way of hidden
> surface removal, setting it to the max can ***
> pretty much any video card with a full grid of cars
> in front of you.

> This is not to be confused with the mipmap LOD bias
> slider present in the latest batch of 3dfx drivers.  That
> deals solely with textures.  Same principle though - the
> texture or triangle budget for today's hardware will be
> laughed at by hardware six months from now so let's
> provide a slider to set it all to the max.

>  - George

> Yes--this was added by Papy; it allows DGF to toggle it off.

> --DK

> > Can someone please explain EXACTLY what the Bias setting does in GPL?

> > Thanks,

> > Sal V.