3DLABS Oxygen VX1-1600SW - Manual (Page 43)

Glossary
3Dlabs Oxygen VX1-1600SW User's Guide 33
SGRAM
Synchronous Graphics Random Access Memory allows data to be written in a single operation, rather than a
(slower) sequence of operations. It also handles background and foreground image fills effectively.
SDTP
Super Desktop Publishing. SDTP runs at 1600 x 1200.
Stencil Buffer
Similar to stipple masking, the stencil buffer assists with the creation of transparent effects.
Stipple masking
A technique that spatially creates transparent effects by rendering an object through various patterns.
Streaming SIMD
An instruction set developed by Intel for Pentium III-processor based systems. Streaming SIMD can improve
3D vertice transformation and lighting, among other operations.
SVGA
Super Video Graphics Array. SVGA runs at 800 x 600.
Tessellation
The initial part of the 3D pipeline where the object is described by a set of triangles.
Texture Mapping
A technique that enables 2D graphic images to be “wrapped” around or “pasted” on to a 3D primitive.
Perspective correction and lighting calculations allow for added realism.
Transformation
The change in rotation, size and perspective of an object in 3D space.
Transparency
A function that refers to the rendering of transparent (non-opaque) objects. Transparency is generally
accomplished on a polygon rendering system using either screen-door transparency or alpha blending.
Vectors/second
Lines drawn per second.
VGA
Video Graphics Array. VGA runs at 640 x 480.
VHR
Very High Resolution. VHR runs at 1280 x 1024.
VRAM
Video Random Access Memory is an expensive, fast type of RAM that is used as display memory on high-end
graphics boards.
VRML
Virtual Reality Modeling Language.
Z-Buffer
Also known as the Depth Buffer, the Z-Buffer is a region of memory containing the depth component of a
pixel. Used, for example, to eliminate hidden surfaces from the image.