> From: Alexander Graf > Subject: Re: [Qemu-devel] [patch] cocoa.m - Core Graphics support > Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:29:02 +0100
> I somehow like the idea of having a GL based video output. Awhile back, somebody did a patch to allow guest accelerated Windows OpenGL graphics. From what I can tell, he basically wrote a Windows OpenGL API that 'calls' interrupts, which QEMU traps. QEMU then interprets the interrupts and calls the OpenGL API of the Linux host. <http://qemu-forum.ipi.fi/viewtopic.php? f=2&t=2984&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=1c320bec1bea28ff21ed2204b2df4c60> In the thread is also the interesting suggestion of using the dlxgl wrapper API to convert Direct3D to OpenGL in Windows. This theoretically means that you could run Direct3D apps in QEMU. I think it would be worthwhile getting Direct3D and OpenGL to work on QEMU. This is especially when Win95/98 cannot run on the more up-to- date PC chipsets (due to manufacturers not being will to provide drivers or whatever). I know of a least two applications that can run on Win95/98 but not XP. Fabrice made a comment on this patch: <http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2006-11/msg00149.html> >From my minimal understanding of what he is saying, it seems he would prefer there to be a BOCHS graphics adapter, which would then pass the OpenGL commands from Windows to Linux OpenGL. Also, Direct3D commands would be passed from Windows to Linux Wine. I wouldn't mind having a go at this as I would like to run 3D accelerated Windows apps on Linux. However, due to a couple of other projects I want to complete first (including a PC upgrade), I don't think I'll have time to do this until may be later this year. Also, I will need to do some learning. So don't your breath. Anybody want to volunteer to do this? What are people's current feelings about this? I've been wanting to run 3D accelerated Win98/95 in Linux (on what will be an up-to-date chipset soon...). But I kept on finding out about PCI pass through on Xen to allow Direct3D to do its work, and the open "source" specifications of ATI cards (though I read that nVidia are allegedly deliberating about doing the same thing sometime this year). Thanks, Gervase.