Something to try: Geometry Based D3D FSAA Viewer

[Colourless]

This afternoon/evening I decided to create a FSAA viewer similar to Basic's ones, to fill the void of the missing Geometry Based D3D FSAA Viewer.

Download: http://www.users.on.net/triforce/d3d_fsaaviewer/d3d_fsaaviewer-3.zip
(updated again - see other posts by me in this thread for more info)

It has a few differences from Basic's ones, but nothing substantial.

There are probably the most obvious difference is the 'Red Square' which attempts to show all the samples for a single pixel. In theory it should work. It can be toggled on and off with 'H' (for Highlight)

Second is the ability to Invert the screen colours. I had extreme difficultly seeing the sample pattern for the REFRAST 9x mode if the background was black, so I added in a white backgound mode. Toggle with the Space Bar or 'I'.

Next I added in some menu options to adjust grid size and point size. Point size will increase/decrease the size of the squares, and grid size will enlarge the sample pattern. Just note that i didn't do any substantial testing of the 96x96 mode, so just be careful with it. I would just leave this as is.

Additionally, you can go fullscreen if you want by pressing Alt-Enter. Also you can choose specific modes and devices by pressing F2. This includes D3D Multisample modes and the REFRAST device.

Now, there are A LOT of triangles being drawn (about 2 per pixel) so it may be a little slow. I get about 2 FPS on my V5, and the REFRAST is ungodly slow as expected.

Anyway, here is a Shot of REFRAST 4x, obviously with a black background

And here is a Shot of REFRAST 9x, obviously with a white background

Enjoy...

Now for someone to take some screenshots from GF4 and GFFX...

-Colourless

 

[Dave Baumann]

Hurrar!

Now, I'm going to piss you off!

Its there anyway of adding texture samples there as well, possibly at the same time as the geomtry samples (and a different colour). Also, the near horizontal/vertical edges in Basic's prgram are quite useful for seeing actual gradients.

Don't know if any of thats possible, but it might keep you occupied!

 

[Colourless]

I was planning on doing something like that in a newer version.

I just released this now to make sure that the Geometry mode actually works on other hardware out there.

 

[demalion]

Perhaps you should link to a discussion thread about Basic's applications?


Example questions that might be repetitive with prior discussions (and if my hazy memory serves me, are...):

How does it work exactly?

How accurate are the sample pattern indications?

Performance mode 2x on the 8500 looks like it is has 3 vertical samples...why is that?

 

[Doomtrooper]

Nice Work Colourless...thats what makes this forum great

 

[Colourless]

How does it work exactly?

It works by rendering multiple subpixel sized triangles

How accurate are the sample pattern indications?

That would depends on subpixel accuracy and the precision on the TnL engine of the hardware itself.

Performance mode 2x on the 8500 looks like it is has 3 vertical samples...why is that?

Please post a screenshot. Also try using the "1/8 Point Size" mode

 

[demalion]

Here is 2x Performance SV:

I didn't understand most of the (detailed) explanation the first time around, and I didn't find it in my quick search to read it again, but...

Could the lighter boxes being drawn be considered "lower probability" sampling positions, and this being an illustration of effectively having sub sample positions change?

BTW, here is 3x Performance SV:

I'm off to do some more search guesses for the previous thread with explanations.

 

[mat]

FSAAview totally screws my poor Windows XP

cant even move the mouse. the pointer just hops somewhere around and Winamp cant play MP3s without skipping when the test Programm runs.

anyway, here are some pics from my GF4Ti4200
FSAA not forced for the frist 3 Pics:

2Sample:

3Sample:

4Sample:

FSAA Forced with Rivatuner:
Quincux:

4xS 9tab:

4xS:

 

[Dave Baumann]

Oh, Colorless, I could kiss you! I've just tried it and it appears to be pretty good so far.

Here's R300, and it confirms what we already know:

2X

4X

6X

I'm off to find a Parhelia and see if the full screen mode works!

 

[tEd]

gffx 6Xs and 8Xs mode would be interesting

..should also work with a gf3/4 with the atuner...

 

[Arun]

Congrats, Colourless! I really love this program, it's simply amazing.

A little idea however... Some GPUs in the future ( I think the 8500, but not the 9700, also do that ) might not have the same patterns on all the pixels. So it might be a good idea to be able to highlight all pixels on the screen IMO.

That 4xS screenshot isn't very clear. To see it well, you got to use 1/8 & 96x96. I tried it on my GF4 Ti4200, and all I can say is...
What the heck is that pattern? It's completely... strange.
4xS seems to be optimized towards high quality horizontal & diagonal lines. The samples vertical quality, however, sure doesn't seem good.
In theory, it sure would be better for diagonals than that R9700P pattern Wavey posted. Too bad the eye barely cares about diagonals

Uttar

 

[Colourless]

I've made some updates that should fix the taking over the system issue, and should clear up some sample patterns.

http://www.users.on.net/triforce/d3d_fsaaviewer/d3d_fsaaviewer-3.zip (updated again - see other posts by me in this thread for more info)

demalion, Those R8500 shots are just 'strange' I can't really exaplain them at all. Please try with the new version and tell me if there are any differences.

 

[demalion]

Outputting the contents of the program window/screen to the clipboard or a file might be a nice thing to add. I'll make a suggestion that there be an option confine this output to the "Red Square" and enough surrounding image to illustrate repetition, while I'm at it.

 

[Colourless]

Outputting the contents of the program window/screen to the clipboard or a file might be a nice thing to add. I'll make a suggestion that there be an option confine this output to the "Red Square" and enough surrounding image to illustrate repetition, while I'm at it.

Yes, outputting to a TGA file is probably something I will add at some stage.

Anyway, its long past time for me to 'sign off'

 

[demalion]

I've made some updates that should fix the taking over the system issue, and should clear up some sample patterns.

http://www.users.on.net/triforce/d3d_fsaaviewer/d3d_fsaaviewer-2.zip

demalion, Those R8500 shots are just 'strange' I can't really exaplain them at all. Please try with the new version and tell me if there are any differences.

No outstandingly visible change at all for 2x and 3x performance mode.

Does give me some things (other modes displayed patterns are interesting too) to ponder if the patterns are accurate, though.

 

[Bambers]

The reason i think that the 2x performance mode of the 8500 looks like 3 samples is because its 1x1.5 and non integer multiples do stange things to these programs. If you look closely at the dots you'll notice that they've got an 'interlaced' effect. Same for 3x performance but its 'interlaced' both ways as its a 1.5x1.5 giving a 'dithered pattern'. Basics app showed the same effects.

I'm suprised noones tried 8500 Quality modes yet. Since the multisampling in change device even turns it on.

Theres also no fog in this so we get the better modes.

Here we go anyway:

2xQuality

and 4x Quality:

Now if only ati could get that 2x mode working in all situations (like 7206 drivers) :| *hint hint at OpenGL Guy *

 

[Bambers]

Here's 5xQ:

 

[mr]

Thanks for your effort Colourless.

These are pics from a Geforce3Ti200, Det.40.72, settings forced with aTuner 1.2.4.4

no FSAA

2xFSAA

4xFSAA

4xS FSAA

6xS FSAA

8xS FSAA

 

[THe_KELRaTH]

As the R300 uses programmable sample patterns would that mean that the pattern shown with the FSAAviewer would change the grid layout or rotate to best positon?

OK, I've been informed that it can do this in hardware but it's not currently being used.

 

[Colourless]

OK, mr or someone else with a GF3 of GF3 can you please try taking a 6xS shot with 32x32 Grid and 1/8 Point size.

Same for someone with a 8500 too.