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LP
29-11-2004, 05:50 AM
Since Asphyre2 is under development now (in a hurry, actually), I've decided to make this post in case of any early suggestions and/or requests. After the first version of Asphyre was released, there were number of issues (some of which still remain) with the graphics engine. As a result, I thought on changing the concept of the library and here is a list of what's going to change in Asphyre2, compared to the first release:
1) The library itself will be completely open-source, no external files will be required to run Asphyre2-based applications.
2) As a result of (1), the minimal Delphi version will be 6
3) Plugin support will be disabled from VTDb but instead internal compression will be used (this decision was based on inconvenience of having to distribute multiple DLLs with the application).
4) Direct3D-powered and Software Emulation parts will be separated. This is due to fact that software emulation was not quite compatible with Direct3D-powered renderer especially when advanced Direct3D features were used (3D, for instance). On the other hand, software emulation supports much more effects which is more suitable for demo-making or any applications that are required to run on any PC (even without hardware acceleration).
5) Asphyre Sound System will be released (which was not finished when the first version of Asphyre Component Pack appeared).

Although I'm in a bit hurry of getting the new version (for our needs), I'm open to any suggestions and requests for the new library. Also, after TMDC7, a new set of ASCII renderers (compatible with Asphyre) will be available, although they are most likely useful only for demo-making :?

Cheers,
Lifepower

snorga
01-12-2004, 09:28 AM
Sounds like good news =)

#4 is not a problem for me, since i use some direct3d stuff directly. So seperating them make good sense to me.

keep up the good work :wink:
Steffen

Huehnerschaender
01-12-2004, 10:35 AM
Yip. Sounds good to me, too.

Very good news!

Keep on with your excellent work lifepower!

Greetings,
Dirk

snorga
07-04-2005, 09:32 AM
Any new news?

LP
10-04-2005, 12:41 AM
Some pieces of news can be found at:
http://www.afterwarp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70
http://www.afterwarp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71

What we have actually finished in AsphyrePro (in addition to everthing that already has Asphyre 1.5.x):
1) 3D billboarding (show explosions, clouds, dust and smoke in 3D)
2) 3D 'facing' (show trees, grass, fire and other stuff in 3D... very similar to grass-technique used in UT2004)
3) 3D static meshes (drawing 3D models)
4) Lights & Cameras

What's missing & under development now:
1) Fog
2) Landscapes
3) 3D particle systems (work like 2D particles, but in 3D using Billboards)
4) Spherical mapping (for skies, etc.)
5) Multitexturing
6) Glows & lens

Currently our work is focused on 3D landscapes & multitexturing technique...

P.S. In case you still don't know, official Asphyre pages are:
http://www.afterwarp.com/index.php?section=2
http://turbo.gamedev.net/asphyre.asp

snorga
11-04-2005, 05:58 AM
That was new news, thanks :wink:

Looking good.