Revit and Open GL/Direct 3D

[Andrew Dobson]

I have read something interesting on Autodesk's website:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=10676494#section2

Under their Vista compatibility for AutoCAD, it reads:

"AutoCAD 2008 also delivers exceptional graphics performance because it uses Direct3D®, Microsoft’s graphics API. In contrast, CAD software from other providers, particularly those that rely on the OpenGL graphics API may experience graphics degradation when run on Windows Vista. "

There is more explanation under the Inventor Section.

Autodesk seem to be criticising their own products here. Does this indicate that Revit is likely to migrate to Direct 3D from Open GL?

[hand471037]

Autodesk seem to be criticising their own products here. Does this indicate that Revit is likely to migrate to Direct 3D from Open GL?

Sadly it may be so. Microsoft doesn't like OpenGL because they want more of a lock on the gaming market. So they have thrown their weight behind DirectX, making it both run better as well as be easier to program for on Windows. Autodesk, always being a close partner with Microsoft, is following suit it appears. Max 2008 makes HEAVY use of DirectX, with several features only working with DX9, and not OpenGL (no matter how good your video card), and there was talk from the Inventor developers about DirectX as well. So I figure it's probably only a matter of time really.

My only hope is that Parallels/Fusion is farther along with their DX9 support, for right now OpenGL works and it doesn't on my MacBookPro... ;-)

[iru69]

On the bright side, maybe the use of DirectX would help the assortment of ongoing video card "issues" that currently plague Revit/OpenGL.

[hand471037]

On the bright side, maybe the use of DirectX would help the assortment of ongoing video card "issues" that currently plague Revit/OpenGL.

I doubt it. Other than maybe in the migration over they fix underlaying problems with Revit or something. DirectX is just as picky sometimes about drivers, cards, and settings as OpenGL is with certain softwares in my experience to date. Although it does seem a little better with DX9 than it did with DX8 or DX7. But still. I've never had a problem with Blender and OpenGL, and I've never had a problem with DX9 and Alibre, and yet I've got issues with Revit and OpenGL, and issues with Max 2008 and DX9...

[BomberAIA]

Open GL works on my Mac Book Pro but not on my Mac Pro. Strange.

[Andrew Dobson]

Does Revit 2009 have Direct 3D now?

[dhurtubise]

Not like max would do it unfortunately