DX10/WGF 1.0 approaching beta?

[Temporary Name]

http://theinquirer.net/?article=18683

I have nothing to add, other than praise, I suppose. Apparently the SP2 detour didn't affect the DirectX team.

 

[991060]

Can't wait to get my hands on the early spec.

 

[RejZoR]

WGF!? It sound more like WTF I thought they gonna use DNX name...

 

[Inane_Dork]

Feature complete I could understand, but final release 1.0? I doubt it. MS is not in the habit of releasing DX versions with no supporting hardware in sight. So unless ATi or nVidia have some shockers in the next week, I'm rather doubting this.

 

[digitalwanderer]

So unless ATi or nVidia have some shockers in the next week, I'm rather doubting this.

"R520", whispers the Dig in a bit of awed contemplation.

 

[Dave B(TotalVR)]

Maybe WGF is part of the framework that DX10 will be in rather than specifically directx 10/next.

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

So unless ATi or nVidia have some shockers in the next week, I'm rather doubting this.

"R520", whispers the Dig in a bit of awed contemplation.

The Dig should better keep his speculations for himself.

 

[Temporary Name]

Feature complete I could understand, but final release 1.0? I doubt it. MS is not in the habit of releasing DX versions with no supporting hardware in sight. So unless ATi or nVidia have some shockers in the next week, I'm rather doubting this.

Xbox2. ATI said a couple of weeks ago that its GPU was nearly done, so it would make sense that the supporting API is also nearly done.

 

[Inane_Dork]

"R520", whispers the Dig in a bit of awed contemplation.

Unless I have my ATi numbers mixed, which is possible, the R520 will not be a WGF part. And if it is, I don't think it'll be released really soon.

Xbox2. ATI said a couple of weeks ago that its GPU was nearly done, so it would make sense that the supporting API is also nearly done.

That's why I'm saying I would not be surprised if it were feature complete. That is, the hardware aspect would be finalized, and the only thing left would be to tweak the actual API for it. The API tweaking would go on until the hardware is actually being produced, at which point the API and the hardware go public.

That's how I percieve MS's strategy given DX8 and DX9. So unless there's actual DX10 hardware, I don't expect to see DX10. And I doubt anyone has their DX10 hardware almost ready to ship.

That's my simplistic view, anyway.

 

[DeanoC]

Xbox2. ATI said a couple of weeks ago that its GPU was nearly done, so it would make sense that the supporting API is also nearly done.

Nope.

Actually MS are fairly used to releasing DX without hardware. DX8 and DX9 (SM3.0) being ones off the top of my head... In face ATI were gloating that they managed to get a DX9 (9700) card out before the API (SM 2.0) was available...

Anyway I haven't even had a Dx10/DxNext/WGF (whatever its called this week) beta invite so its got a good year to go yet.

 

[Xmas]

Hm, WGF 1.0?

http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?topic=16240&forum=9

 

[Guden Oden]

WGF... Hmmm. Even the name introduces more bloat into windows, that's 150% more syllables than the old DX contraction. Why the F did they have to go and invent a new moniker for, is the old one too worn out for them or what?

 

[Kaotik]

WGF... Hmmm. Even the name introduces more bloat into windows, that's 150% more syllables than the old DX contraction. Why the F did they have to go and invent a new moniker for, is the old one too worn out for them or what?

Because "X" is getting old now, it's not that cool term anymore

 

[Spaceman-Spiff]

Then they could name it DirectZ, making a new "cool letter"

 

[Milkman]

So this means if I want DX10 ill need to buy a card that is DX10 optamized? :?

 

[Megadrive1988]

ATI has not yet even shipped a SM 3.0 part yet so I don't see DX10 parts being ready by ATI anytime soon. this discussion might be more fruitful in a year or so

 

[flick556]

I think wgf is tied directly to the 3 different GUIs shipping with longhorn so anything ps2.0 should do it. It should also bring a really huge api change replacing gdi and maybe direct draw. I expect the syntax for dx programing to change as well but any new features included will probely run on today's high end with a few optional ones for future hardware to implement.

I even think the whole unfied shader stuff will be a change in the way hlsl works with later hardware fully taking advantage of it, but still beeing able to compile for current hardware and having to obey all the current limitations. Difference beeing you will compile one hlsl shader that creates a ps and vs if you target todays hardware, as oposed to two.

If my guesses are right I will be very happy, I hope shader developent is made even more abstract and OO.