docs/cell.html

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   3 <TITLE>Cell Driver</TITLE>
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   9 <H1>Mesa Cell Driver</H1>
  10
  11 <p>
  12 The Mesa
  13 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_%28microprocessor%29" target="_parent">Cell</a>
  14 driver is part of the
  15 <a href="http://www.tungstengraphics.com/wiki/index.php/Gallium3D" target="_parent">Gallium3D</a>
  16 architecture.
  17 </p>
  18
  19 <p>
  20 <a href="http://www.tungstengraphics.com/" target="_parent">Tungsten Graphics</a>
  21 is leading the project.
  22 Two phases are planned.
  23 First, to implement the framework for parallel rasterization using the Cell
  24 SPEs, including texture mapping.
  25 Second, to implement a full-featured OpenGL driver with support for GLSL, etc.
  26 </p>
  27
  28
  29 <H2>Source Code</H2>
  30
  31 <p>
  32 The Cell driver source code is on the <code>gallium-0.1</code> branch of the
  33 git repository.
  34 To build the driver you'll need the IBM Cell SDK (version 2.1 or 3.0).
  35 To use the driver you'll need a Cell system, such as a PS3 running Linux,
  36 or the Cell Simulator (untested, though).
  37 </p>
  38
  39 <p>
  40 To compile the code, run <code>make linux-cell</code>.
  41 </p>
  42
  43 <p>
  44 To use the library, make sure <code>LD_LIBRARY_PATH</code> points the Mesa/lib/
  45 directory that contains <code>libGL.so</code>.
  46 </p>
  47
  48 <p>
  49 Verify that the Cell driver is being used by running <code>glxinfo</code>
  50 and looking for:
  51 <pre>
  52   OpenGL renderer string: Gallium 0.1, Cell on Xlib
  53 </pre>
  54
  55
  56 <H2>Status</H2>
  57
  58 <p>
  59 As of January 2008 the driver supports smooth/flat shaded triangle rendering
  60 with Z testing.
  61 Simple demos like gears run successfully.
  62 Basic texture mapping should be working within a month.
  63 There's still unfinished work in the PPU-to-SPU communication facilities.
  64 </p>
  65
  66
  67 <H2>Contributing</H2>
  68
  69 <p>
  70 If you're interested in contributing to the effort, familiarize yourself
  71 with the code, join the <a href="lists.html">mesa3d-dev mailing list</a>,
  72 and describe what you'd like to do.
  73 </p>
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