ELSA GLoria-L User manual

ELSA GLoria
TM
-L
ELSA GLoria
TM
-L/MX
ELSA GLoria
TM
-XL
ELSA GLoria
TM
-XXL
User Manual

Copyright © <CopyrightYear> ELSA AG, Aachen (Germany)
While the information in this manual has been compiled with great care, it may not be deemed an assur-
ance of product characteristics. ELSA shall be liable only to the degree specified in the terms of sale and
delivery.
The reproduction and distribution of this handbook and the use of its contents, as well as that of the soft-
ware included with the product, is subject to ELSA written authorization. The right to modifications in
the interest of technical progress is reserved.
ELSA is EN-ISO 9001 certified. The accredited TÜV CERT certification authority has confirmed ELSA con-
formity to the worldwide ISO 9001 standard in certificate number 09 100 5069, issued on 16 May 1995.
Trademarks
AutoCAD®and Autodesk®are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.
Windows®, Windows®95, Windows NT®and Microsoft®are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Corp.
OpenGL®is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc.
All other names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The
ELSA logo is a registered trademark of ELSA AG. Subject to change without notice. No liability for tech-
nical errors or omissions.
ELSA AG ELSA Inc.
Sonnenweg 11 2231 Calle De Luna
D-52070 Aachen Santa Clara, CA 95054
Germany USA
Internet www.elsa.de Internet www.elsa.com
Aachen, May 1998
No. 21564/0598

Preface
Thank you for placing your trust in this ELSA product.
By buying a graphics board from the
GLoria range, you have decided in favour of a graph-
ics board designed for professional use in high-end 3D applications. The graphics pro-
cessors and the video memory on these cards provide rapid graphics generation and
ensure that the
GLoria can be used for demanding applications in three-dimensional visu-
alization and animation of complex objects.
The highest quality requirements in manufacturing and stringent quality control are the
basis for our high product standards and consistent product quality.
About this Manual
This manual provides all the information you will need to get the best out of your ELSA
graphics board. It will describe the ELSA utilities supplied and give you a short introduc-
tion into 3D imaging.
Changes to this Manual
ELSA products are subject to continual further development. It is therefore possible that
the information printed in this manual is not current in all respects. However, information
about the latest changes is always to be found in the README files on the
WINNERware
CD.
If you have questions to the topics covered in this manual or require additional help, our
online services are at your disposal around the clock. The complete range of support and
services provided by ELSA can be found in the "Advice and Help" chapter.
In very urgent cases the ELSA support hotline can be reached under the following num-
ber:
[phone]

Before you continue
The installation of the ELSA GLoria and the associated drivers are described in the Instal-
lation Guide. Please read this information first before you start reading this manual.

ELSA GLoria-L, -L/MX, -XL, -XXL
V
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
A Look at the
GLoria-L , GLoria-L/MX ...................................................................... 1
A Look at the GLoria-XL .......................................................................................... 2
A Look at the
GLoria-XXL ........................................................................................ 3
Highlights of the ELSA GLoria Graphics Boards..................................................... 3
System Requirements............................................................................................. 4
Package Contents ................................................................................................... 4
CE Conformity and FCC Radiation Standard........................................................... 5
Installing the Graphics Board and Adding Memory ............................................... 7
For Your Safety ....................................................................................................... 7
Installing the Graphics Board ................................................................................. 7
Memory Expansion ................................................................................................. 7
When Will I Need More Memory? .................................................................... 7
Installing the Memory Chips in the
GLoria-L and GLoria-L/MX ........................ 8
Installing the Memory Module in the GLoria-XL and GLoria-XXL ..................... 8
Setting Up Your Graphics System ............................................................................ 11
What are Your Options? ....................................................................................... 11
What Makes Sense?............................................................................................. 12
Multi-Screen Operation ........................................................................................ 12
Requirements ................................................................................................... 12
Application....................................................................................................... 13
Changing the Resolution....................................................................................... 14
Windows 95..................................................................................................... 14
Windows NT 4.0 .............................................................................................. 16
Windows NT 3.51 ............................................................................................ 17
ELSA Tools .................................................................................................................... 19
Windows 95.......................................................................................................... 19
Installation ....................................................................................................... 19
ELSA GAMMAman .......................................................................................... 19
Windows NT 4.0 ................................................................................................... 21
ELSA GLoria Settings....................................................................................... 21
ELSA DESKman................................................................................................ 22
Windows NT 3.51 ................................................................................................. 23
ELSA WinCtrl ................................................................................................... 23
ELSA Programming Toolkit POWERlib.................................................................. 24
ELSA POWERdraft for AutoCAD ........................................................................... 25
SmartFocus ...................................................................................................... 25
Installation ....................................................................................................... 25
ELSAview 3D......................................................................................................... 26

ELSA GLoria-L, -L/MX, -XL, -XXL
VI
What Does ELSAview 3D Offer ? .................................................................... 26
Installation ....................................................................................................... 27
ELSA Driver for 3D Studio MAX/VIZ..................................................................... 28
All About Graphics ...................................................................................................... 29
3D Graphics Representation................................................................................. 29
The 3D Pipeline................................................................................................ 29
3D Interfaces......................................................................................................... 31
What APIs Are Available? ............................................................................... 32
Direct 3D .......................................................................................................... 32
Heidi................................................................................................................. 33
OpenGL............................................................................................................. 33
Color Palettes, TrueColor and Gray Scales........................................................... 34
VGA .................................................................................................................. 34
DirectColor ....................................................................................................... 34
VESA DDC (Display Data Channel)....................................................................... 35
DDC1 ................................................................................................................ 35
DDC2B.............................................................................................................. 35
DDC2AB ........................................................................................................... 36
.............................................................................................................................. 36
Technical Data ............................................................................................................ 37
Characteristics of the Graphics Boards ................................................................ 37
Address Assignment for the ELSA Boards ........................................................... 38
Ports on the Graphics Boards ............................................................................... 39
The VGA D Socket ........................................................................................... 39
The VGA D Sub Plug ....................................................................................... 40
Port for 3D Shutter Glasses ............................................................................. 40
Switching Off the Integral VGA Adapter ......................................................... 40
Appendix .......................................................................................................................41
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers........................................................... 41
Installation Problems with your ELSA Graphics Board.................................... 41
Problems with Windows 95............................................................................. 41
General Questions and Answers ..................................................................... 42
Advice and Help.................................................................................................... 43
Who to Contact? .............................................................................................. 43
The ELSA LocalWeb......................................................................................... 45
Driver Updates ................................................................................................. 45
Repair? ............................................................................................................. 45
DOC–Declaration of Conformity ........................................................................... 46
Warranty Conditions............................................................................................. 47
Glossary ........................................................................................................................ 49
Index .............................................................................................................................. 53

Introduction
ELSA GLoria-L, -L/MX, -XL, -XXL
1
Introduction
The graphics boards in the ELSA GLoria range are designed for professional CAD use.
ELSA GLoria boards really show their strengths in 3D applications. The GLoria-XXL is the
flagship product in the range. It is intended for high-end operations and offers uncom-
promising workstation power. The powerful 3Dlabs processors are at the heart of all the
ELSA GLoria boards.
A Look at the
GLoria-L, GLoria-L/MX
The RAMDAC converts the digital signals into analog signals at a maximum clock
speed of 220 MHz.
The video memory ensures rapid image generation in the graphics board.
GLoria-L has 8MB VRAM
GLoria-L/MX has 8 MB VRAM
S3's ViRGE VGA graphics chip with 1 MB video memory.
One of the BIOS's functions is to ensure that the graphics board can be recognized.
The GLINT Delta graphics coprocessor takes over many of the graphics processor’s
tasks. It is particularly useful in complex 3D calculations.
The graphics processor
GLoria-L has a 3Dlabs GLINT 500TX
GLoria-L/MX has a 3Dlabs GLINT MX
8MB additional EDO-DRAM memory for the Z buffer and textures and the sockets
for memory expansion
The four sockets on the graphics boards will accept a further 8 MB EDO-DRAM to
give a total of 16 MB EDO-RAM.

Introduction
ELSA GLoria-L, -L/MX, -XL, -XXL
2
A Look at the
GLoria-XL
S3's Trio64V2/DX VGA graphics chip with 1 MB video memory.
The RAMDAC converts the digital signals into analog signals at a maximum clock
speed of 250 MHz.
The video memory ensures rapid image generation in the graphics board. The
GLoria-XL has 16 MB VRAM.
A 3Dlabs GLINT MX graphics processor.
One of the BIOS's functions is to ensure that the graphics board can be recognized.
It provides full VBE 2.0 support.
The GLINT Delta graphics coprocessor takes over many of the graphics processor’s
tasks. It is particularly useful in complex 3D calculations.
The
GLoria-XL will accept an additional 16 MB DRAM to a total of 40 MB DRAM.
24 MB EDO-DRAM additional memory for the Z-buffer and textures
Interface for 3D shutter glasses

Introduction
ELSA GLoria-L, -L/MX, -XL, -XXL
3
A Look at the
GLoria-XXL
The RAMDAC converts the digital signals into analog signals at a maximum clock
speed of 250MHz.
The video memory ensures rapid image generation in the graphics board. The
GLoria-XXL has 16 MB VRAM.
A 3Dlabs GLINT MX graphics processor.
24 MB EDO-DRAM additional memory for the Z-buffer and textures
The
GLoria-XXL will accept an additional 16 MB DRAM to a total of 40 MB DRAM.
The Permedia 2 graphics chip from 3Dlabs with 2 MB video memory.
The GLINT Gamma graphics coprocessor takes over many of the graphics proces-
sor’s tasks. It is particularly useful in complex 3D calculations.
Interface for 3D shutter glasses
Highlights of the
ELSA GLoria
Graphics Boards
쮿Multi-screen operation for Windows NT with identical ELSA GLoria graphics boards
쮿Ergonomic refresh rates over 100 Hz are possible in high-resolution graphics modes
쮿Detection of VESA DDC compatible monitors under Windows 95
쮿Support of power-saving monitors conforming with the VESA DPMS standard
ELSA drivers for Windows NT and Windows 95
쮿
ELSAview 3D for 3D visualization under AutoCAD R13/R14, Autodesk Mechanical
Desktop and as a stand-alone application
쮿
ELSA POWERdraft display list driver for AutoCAD for Windows

Introduction
ELSA GLoria-L, -L/MX, -XL, -XXL
4
쮿Support Direct 3D under Windows 95 and OpenGL Windows NT. All boards support
the Heidi interface except for the
GLoria-XL.
쮿Hardware accelerated Z-buffering, Gouraud shading and texture mapping
쮿Optional ELSA 2D/3D programmer's interface (
POWERlib Toolkit)
쮿ELSA LocalWeb, Internet WWW page and CompuServe Forum
쮿Six-year warranty
쮿The graphics boards comply with the CE and FCC guidelines.
System Requirements
쮿Computer: The ELSA GLoria boards are intended for use in computers with Pentium
and Pentium-compatible processors. The
ELSA GLoria-XL requires a Pentium II pro-
cessor.
쮿Bus: Your computer must comply with the PCI 2.0 specifications. The
GLoria-XXL
requires a computer with AGP bus.
쮿Monitor: ELSA graphics boards work with the standard IBM VGA compatible hori-
zontal scan frequency of 31.5 kHz while booting and in DOS operation. In addition,
the monitor must be able to display the graphics mode selected.
Package Contents
Before installing your ELSA graphics board, please ensure that the package is complete.
It should contain the following:
쮿Graphics board
쮿Documentation: Installation Guide and manual
쮿CD-ROM with installation and driver software, and utilities
쮿optional: Cable to connect the external VGA adapter and the
GLoria-L/MX
If any part is missing please contact your dealer. ELSA reserves the right to change the
supplied contents without prior notice.