OpenGL graphics vs. DirectX

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I have no feel for who might be using OpenGL in place of DirectX, but I recently tried it and it is working.  Previous tests showed failure, but recently some fix in wine (Linux) has made this work.

 

The only thing I haven't be able to work yet is edge scrolling, which doesn't work under wine.  Anyone on Windows with OpenGL have this problem or is it isolated to me?

[rsc204 21,814]

I can confirm edge scrolling works under Windows, at least with my Intel Chip.

 

What I'd be interested to know is why OpenGL rendering, unlike DirectX does not count as hardware rendering by SC4, if that could be resolved it would open up the HD mods to a lot more people who can't use DirectX for whatever reason.

[Compdude787 916]

I can confirm edge scrolling works under Windows, at least with my Intel Chip.

 

What I'd be interested to know is why OpenGL rendering, unlike DirectX does not count as hardware rendering by SC4, if that could be resolved it would open up the HD mods to a lot more people who can't use DirectX for whatever reason.

Well, Maxis never really finished the OpenGL part of the game, so that probably explains it.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

When I run with OpenGL and my RS780 chip set, everything works (so far) except edge scrolling.  The code may be old, but it is being handled almost entirely, just have to scroll with the arrow keys.  OpenGL, by the way, is the default for Linux.  The running game has the hardware rendering option set (press F11 and see).  I guess they simply didn't want to complicate the menu.

 

DirectX is getting kind of long in the tooth now that most GPUs will accept OpenGL commands directly.

[Compdude787 916]

The reason why many of us will still use DirectX, including me, is that the game CTDs when you try and use any HD custom content (which includes many newer tree controllers and terrain mods) on OpenGL.

[47ply 1,100]

I just tried this it opened up to my region view but in a window about the size of my cell phone. so I could not enter a city.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

The reason why many of us will still use DirectX, including me, is that the game CTDs when you try and use any HD custom content (which includes many newer tree controllers and terrain mods) on OpenGL.

Not surprising.  HD did not exist when this was written.  The calls are probably wrong.  I don't use HD textures because I was mostly constrained to running software mode.  It is only the last few updates of wine that supported hardware mode properly.  Since I have only a 24" screen, I really don't see any point in HD textures.  I think some people using large format screens might benefit.

 

I just tried this it opened up to my region view but in a window about the size of my cell phone. so I could not enter a city.

I don't think it would work without the -customresolution:enabled options.

 

Overall: I believe that OpenGL rendering with SC4 was not really properly tested and may be unfinished.

[Compdude787 916]

Since I have only a 24" screen, I really don't see any point in HD textures.  I think some people using large format screens might benefit.

Only 24"? That's actually a big monitor! For me, the benefit of HD anything shows up at zoom 6, where HD stuff isn't pixelated.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Zoom 6 is an interesting point, but because of the higher density of pixels in HD textures, they still pixelate but you can't see it.