3Dlabs OXYGEN VX1 User manual

The OxygenTM VX1
and
OxygenTM GVX1
Graphics
Accelerator
User’s Guide
3Dlabs,® Inc.
480 Potrero Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
408 - 530 - 4700
www.3dlabs.com

Copyright 1999 by 3Dlabs, Inc.
3Dlabs, GLINT and Permedia are registered trademarks, and Oxygen and PowerThreads are
trademarks of 3Dlabs, Inc. or 3Dlabs Inc. Ltd. Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel.
OpenGL is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Soft Engine is a trademark of
Vibrant Graphics, Inc. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of AutoDesk Inc. Colorific is a
registered trademark of Sonnetech Ltd. Microsoft and Windows NT are registered trademarks
of the Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property
of their respective holders.
Caution: Changes or modifications to the Oxygen VX1 or Oxygen GVX1 graphics
accelerator card not expressly approved by 3Dlabs, Inc. void the user’s warranty.
FCC Notice: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If product is not installed
and used in accordance with the instruction manual, it may cause harmful interference to
radio communications; however, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
1. Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
4. Consult 3Dlabs or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance.
Compliance with FCC Rules requires that a shielded cable be used to connect to other
equipment. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: 1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and 2) this
device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This Class B digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian Interference-
Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les
exigences du Règlement sur le material brouilleur du Canada.
3Dlabs, Inc. makes no representation that the use of its products in the manner described in
this publication will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do descriptions
contained in this publication imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell equipment or
software in accordance with the description.
May 4, 1999, Rev. A

iii
Contents
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v
Welcome to 3Dlabs!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
System Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Software Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Chapter 1 - Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Getting Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Before You Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installing Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
To remove an old card from your system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
To install your Oxygen card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Installing Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
To install the Oxygen driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
To install Soft Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
To install Colorific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Registering Oxygen VX1/GVX1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Chapter 2 - Software Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
The Oxygen VX1/GVX1 Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
The Task Bar -based Configuration Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The Display Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Information Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Setup Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Direct 3D Support Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
OpenGL Support Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Monitor Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter 3 - Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Monitors and Display Resolutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Systems and Networks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

iv 3Dlabs Oxygen VX1/GVX1 User’s Guide
Online Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Chapter 4 - Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Terms and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Appendix A - Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Oxygen VX1 Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Oxygen GVX1 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Appendix B - Software License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Software License and Restrictions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Limited Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Limited Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Restricted Rights Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Appendix C - Regulatory Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Introduction

Welcome to 3Dlabs!
vi 3Dlabs Oxygen VX1/GVX1 User’s Guide
Welcome to 3Dlabs!
Thank you for selecting a 3Dlabs®Oxygen™graphics accelerator card! Based on the new
GLINT®R3 processor, Oxygen VX1 and Oxygen GVX1 support 3Dlabs' unique “Virtual
Texture Memory.” Virtual Texture enables system memory to be used as full-performance
unified texture storage, with fully-accelerated, OpenGL-compliant 3D volumetric textures.
Both cards feature OpenGL support and complete control over driver settings on a per-
application basis.
Thedesignfiles createdwiththese applications canchallengeeven multiple-processorsystems,
so your card uses PowerThreads™ SSE software to distribute OpenGL throughput across
processors — at top speed. Applications running on single-processor systems will still benefit
from single-threaded optimizations found in PowerThreads SSE.
Overview
Your Oxygen card has the following features:
•The GLINT R3 rasterization engine
The GLINT R3 rasterization engine accelerates tasks like true-color shading, texture
mapping, anti-aliasing, and transparency operations.
•PowerThreads SSE geometry processing
PowerThreads SSE software distributes OpenGL throughput across multiple
processors (where available) for faster rendering of your files, and leverages the Intel®
Pentium® III and Pentium III Xeon™ Streaming SIMD extensions for optimal
geometry and lighting performance.
Oxygen VX1, shown with
AGP connector
Oxygen GVX1

Overview
Introduction vii
•32 MB memory
32 MB of SDRAM (Oxygen VX1) or SGRAM (Oxygen GVX1) memory supports
high-precision, high-performance acceleration.
•1920 x 1200 32-bit color maximum resolution
Your new card supports 32-bit resolutions from 640 x 480 at 100 Hz to 1920 x 1200
at 76 Hz.
•16, 24, and 32-bit linear Z-buffer
The Z-buffer provides the highest level of depth-precision, even at the highest
resolutions.
•Full AGP sideband addressing
Sideband addressing ensures high-performance 3D acceleration through the
advanced features of the AGP bus.
•SoftEngine AutoCAD support
SoftEngine enhances AutoCAD R12, R13, R14, and LT performance by up to four
times on Windows NT systems.
•Colorific screen-to-print color matching
Colorific simplifies color matching without sacrificing accuracy.
The Oxygen GVX1 card adds:
•GLINT Gamma geometry processing
The GLINT Gamma chip accelerates the 3D geometry pipeline in hardware,
performing all vertex transformation and lighting calculations required by OpenGL
applications.
•Dynamic load balancing
When the GLINT Gamma processor is busy, geometry and transform calculations
are automatically shared between the CPU and the GLINT Gamma.
•Digital Flat Panel support
Oxygen GVX1 allows direct connection of a digital, flat-panel display for
dramatically improved on-screen image quality.
•Quad-buffered stereo
Left and right buffers are flipped simultaneously to preserve synchronization in your
stereo 3D images.

System Requirements
viii 3Dlabs Oxygen VX1/GVX1 User’s Guide
System Requirements
Your system needs the following features in order to support Oxygen VX1:
•Intel-compatible, 166 MHz (minimum) system
•Windows®95, 98, or NT 4.0 (or later) operating system
•64 MB RAM (Random Access Memory)
•16 MB minimum available hard drive space
•AGP expansion slot for AGP-based Oxygen VX1 cards
•PCI expansion slot for PCI-based Oxygen VX1 cards
•VGA multisync monitor
Oxygen GVX1 requires these features:
•Intel-compatible, 166 MHz (minimum) system
•Windows®NT 4.0 (or later) operating system
•64 MB RAM (Random Access Memory)
•16 MB minimum available hard drive space
•AGP slot
•VGA multisync monitor

Software Partners
Introduction ix
Software Partners
Your Oxygen VX1/GVX1 card has been tested with a variety of graphics software packages,
several of which are listed below. As testing continues and performance optimizations are
made, the results and techniques are posted on the 3Dlabs, as well as the appropriate software
partner’s, web site.
Software Application Web Site Address
AutoCAD http://www.autodesk.com
Colorific http://www.colorific.com
3D Studio MAX http://www.ktx.com
Lightscape http://www.lightscape.com
LightWave 3D http://www.newtek.com
Maya http://www.aw.sgi.com
MicroStation http://www.bentley.com
Pro/ENGINEER http://www.ptc.com
SDRC I-DEAS http://www.sdrc.com
Softimage | 3D http://www.softimage.com
SolidWorks http://www.solidworks.com
Unigraphics http://www.ug.eds.com/ug/

Chapter 1 - Installation

Getting Ready
Chapter 1 - Installation 2
Getting Ready
To successfully use your new Oxygen VX1 or Oxygen GVX1 card, you must install the card
and the accompanying driver software. Whether you install your new card or the driver first
depends on whether a video card is already present in your system.
If there is a video card in your system: Install the Oxygen driver first. Once the driver is
loaded, remove the old card and install your Oxygen VX1 or Oxygen GVX1 card. The driver
installation instructions begin on page6.
If there is not a video card in your system: Install your new card as described in the Installing
Hardware section, below, then install the driver.
Once the basic installation is complete, you can choose to install the SoftEngine and Colorific
enhancements as described on page6.
NOTE! Be sure to register your new card using one of the options described on page7.
Before You Start
•Take every possible precaution against static electricity as you prepare to install
the card: static can damage components. We have included an anti-static wrist
strap for you to wear while installing the hardware: you should also try to work
in a static free area (such as on a tile floor rather than carpet). You might even
consider wearing special ESD, or at least rubber-soled, shoes.
•Save any work in progress and exit any open applications. Always back up your
system before you install new hardware or software.
•Have your anti-static strap and a Philips-head screwdriver ready.

Installing Hardware
33Dlabs Oxygen VX1/GVX1 User’s Guide
Installing Hardware
Oxygen GVX1 cards are AGP-compatible; Oxygen VX1 cards are available in PCI and AGP
versions.Check the documentation for your system for the location of PCI and AGP
expansion slots in your system.
To remove an old card from your system
1. Turn off and unplug the power source for your system and each of
its peripherals.
2. Unplug the monitor cable from the old card.
3. Attach the anti-static strap to your wrist, and attach the other end to a bare,
conductive (as opposed to painted or sticker-covered) area of your system’s chassis.
4. Remove any screws securing the card to the chassis.
5. Lift the card out of the slot.
To install your Oxygen card
1. Turn off and unplug the power source for your system and each of its peripherals, if
you have not already done so.
2. Remove the cover from your system so you can access an appropriate expansion slot.
(See your system documentation for AGP and PCI slot locations.)

Installing Hardware
Chapter 1 - Installation 4
3. Determine which slot you are going to use and remove its back panel cover.
4. Attach the anti-static strap to your wrist, and attach the other end to a bare,
conductive (as opposed to painted or sticker-covered) area of your system’s chassis.
5. Remove the card from its anti-static packaging. Write down the serial number for
registration and future use.
6. Place the card into the expansion slot, and seat it firmly. See your system
documentation for instructions on securing the card to the chassis. Loose cards and
connections can cause grounding and operating problems.
7. Remove the anti-static strap and replace the cover on your system.

Installing Hardware
53Dlabs Oxygen VX1/GVX1 User’s Guide
8. Connect the video cable from your monitor to the video connector on the card.
9. Plug in and start up your system, including peripherals, and log on to your operating
system.

Installing Software
Chapter 1 - Installation 6
Installing Software
The Oxygen Product CD-ROM for the Oxygen VX1/GVX1 includes OpenGL video driver
software, which lets you set image quality and performance preferences for your card. It also
includes the Soft Engine AutoCAD accelerator and productivity tool package, and Colorific
screen-to-print color matching software. Installing Soft Engine on your AutoCAD equipped
system will improve graphics performance by up to four times, while Colorific painlessly
ensures that what you see is what you print.
This section describes the three software installation processes for supported Windows
operating systems.
To install the Oxygen driver
1. Start up Windows. If you are running Windows NT, log onto an account with
administrator privileges.
2. Place the Oxygen Product CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive. When the installation
window opens, choose the Oxygen driver installation.
3. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen. (Be sure to read the software
license agreement.)
4. Restart your system at the prompt. You have installed your Oxygen software
successfully!
To install Soft Engine
NOTE! Soft Engine works exclusively with AutoDesk’s AutoCad R12, R13, R14, and LT
software. Install Soft Engine if you use one of these AutoCad programs. Do not install Soft
Engine if you do not use one of these AutoCad programs; it will have no beneficial effect.
1. Place the Oxygen Product CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive. When the installation
window opens, choose Install Soft Engine. A menu appears.
2. Select your AutoCAD product type to start the installation.
3. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen. You have installed your Soft
Engine software successfully!
To install Colorific
1. Place the Oxygen Product CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive. When the installation
window opens, choose the Colorific installation.
2. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

Registering Oxygen VX1/GVX1
73Dlabs Oxygen VX1/GVX1 User’s Guide
Registering Oxygen VX1/GVX1
When you register your Oxygen card you:
•Activate your warranty
•Receive notification of software updates
•Qualify for technical support
You can complete the registration card and return it to us in the mail, or register on-line once
your hardware and software installations are complete. (You must have Internet access to
register on-line.)
1. Open your Internet browser.
2. Go to http://www.3dlabs.com/register
Fill out the registration form that appears on your screen, and click Submit when you are
finished. You have registered successfully!

Chapter 2 - Software Configuration

The Oxygen VX1/GVX1 Driver
93Dlabs Oxygen VX1/GVX1 User’s Guide
The Oxygen VX1/GVX1 Driver
The Oxygen driver software lets you optimize the working relationship between your card,
your system and your applications. Use the Task Bar-based Configuration Manager or the
3Dlabs Display Control Panel screens to customize the driver settings.
The Task Bar - based Configuration Manager
When you install the Oxygen VX1/GVX1 card and software, the 3Dlabs logo appears in your
system tray, also called the task bar. Click the logo with your right mouse button to access the
Display Configuration Manager and its shortcuts to these configuration tools:
•Remove from System Tray lets you delete this task bar utility from your system. You
will still be able to access the driver configuration options with the Display Control
Panel.
•About 3DL Display Manager displays version information for this configuration
utility.
•Go to 3Dlabs Website takes you directly to www.3dlabs.com through your existing
Internet connection.
•Pop up the Display Panel reaches the 3Dlabs section on the display control panel.
•Display Driver Information provides quick access to information about your Oxygen
card configuration.
•Change Display Resolution brings up a pop-up list of supported resolutions. Each
resolution has an associated pop-up list of available refresh rates.
•Select Optimized Application quickly accesses a list of supported applications. Click
an application in the list to optimize card settings for your selected option.
•Help provides standard Windows-style help on the driver and its settings.

The Oxygen VX1/GVX1 Driver
Chapter 2 - Software Configuration 10
The Display Control Panel
When you first click the 3Dlabs tab in the Display Control Panel, this introductory page
appears:
It provides software version and basic hardware specifications, and a point-of-entry to the full
set of Oxygen driver customization tools. Click the Advanced button for access to these
panels:
•Information
•Setup
•Direct 3D (Windows 95/98 only)
•OpenGL Support
•Monitor (Windows NT only)
The following sections describe each in detail.

The Oxygen VX1/GVX1 Driver
11 3Dlabs Oxygen VX1/GVX1 User’s Guide
Information Screen
The Information screen provides in-depth information about your selected (or the default)
settings, as well as detailed hardware, software, and Direct 3D specs. This information can be
especially useful if you should need to contact technical support about your Oxygen card.
This manual suits for next models
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