NeTpower Selects 3Dlabs' GLINT for 3D Graphics Acceleration in Calisto Pentium Pro Workstation; New generation Elite2 Graphics accelerator uses GLINT 3D processor chip family; Extensive 3D application support includes Softimage, Pro/Engineer and 3D Studio MAX.SAN JOSE San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 1996--3Dlabs Inc. and NeTpower Inc. together announced the selection of the GLINT 3D processor as the exclusive 3D accelerator technology in NeTpower's new Calisto Pentium Pro-based workstation. Calisto's new Elite2 3D graphics accelerator A display adapter that performs a specialized set of graphics functions to render an image on screen. Today, all display adapters provide basic rendering functions in hardware, but many have graphics processing units (GPUs) that are sophisticated computers. has been designed by NeTpower to use second-generation GLINT silicon combined with an advanced memory architecture to provide unmatched 3D graphics performance and functionality. The Calisto workstation uses 3Dlabs' highly optimized GLINT software drivers for Windows NT (Windows New Technology) A 32-bit operating system from Microsoft for Intel x86 CPUs. NT is the core technology in Windows 2000 and Windows XP (see Windows). Available in separate client and server versions, it includes built-in networking and preemptive multitasking. , OpenGL and Autodesk's Heidi, running on NeTpower's 3D-optimized system architecture. Calisto will enable a new price/performance breakthrough in 3D rendering for leading 3D applications such as Pro/ENGINEER from Parametric Technology Corp., Softimage 3D : Softimage|3D was a high-end 3D graphics application developed by Softimage, Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. from Softimage, Inc., and 3D Studio MAX from Autodesk Inc. "3Dlabs is the recognized leader in silicon for 3D graphics, and we are excited to combine our systems expertise with 3Dlabs' processors and software drivers to produce the Pentium Pro The sixth generation of the Intel x86 family of CPU chips. The term may refer to the chip or to a PC that uses it. Introduced in 1995 as the successor to the Pentium, models from 150 MHz to 200 MHz were released. workstation with the best 3D price/performance in the industry," said Robert C. Miller
"We have found 3Dlabs to be an innovative and pro-active partner, providing much more than just silicon chips. 3Dlabs adds value to our products with optimized software drivers, design and manufacturing support, and they have worked closely with us to enable key 3D applications to take maximum advantage of our systems." "NeTpower has unmatched experience in Windows NT-based 3D graphics systems - which is now combined with GLINT to be a potent force in the 3D graphics industry," said Osman Kent, president of 3Dlabs. "We are honored that a company with NeTpower's expertise in 3D graphics has found the best solution for 3D acceleration in the GLINT family of processors, and we are committed to continue to work closely with NeTpower to meet its future 3D silicon needs. The power of the Pentium Pro is a perfect match for GLINT and, thanks to NeTpower's system expertise, Calisto is a formidable 3D workstation." The GLINT 3D processors used in the Elite2 accelerator accelerate 100% percent of OpenGL rasterization operations in hardware, including OpenGL-compliant texture mapping In computer graphics, the application of a type of surface to a 3D image. A texture can be uniform, such as a brick wall, or irregular, such as wood grain or marble. The common method is to create a 2D bitmapped image of the texture, called a "texture map," which is then "wrapped around" . GLINT also provides hardware-accelerated 3D geometry pipeline processing A category of techniques that provide simultaneous, or parallel, processing within the computer. It refers to overlapping operations by moving data or instructions into a conceptual pipe with all stages of the pipe processing simultaneously. for robust 3D application acceleration. By combining GLINT 3D silicon with the power of Pentium Pro, the Calisto workstation implements a well-balanced, high-performance 3D subsystem capable of delivering well over 500,000 3D polygons/sec including texture mapping, anti-aliasing and high accuracy Z-buffering. NeTpower's innovative board design exploits the flexibility of 3Dlabs' silicon and drivers to support advanced functionality - such as overlays and high-resolution dual-head screens - which are necessary to enable the full power and capability of today's Windows NT-based 3D applications. "NeTpower was founded on the vision of delivering the highest performance, most affordable 3D desktop in the marketplace," said Miller. "We believe that with the combination of our Pentium Pro-based Calisto workstation, 3Dlabs' 3D silicon and expertise, and our Elite2 graphics accelerator, we are in a position to deliver on this vision more so than ever." Price and Availability NeTpower will begin shipping the Elite2 Graphics Accelerator in March, 1996. The accelerator will ship with NeTpower's Calisto line of workstations at a promotional price of $1,950. Technical Information GLINT is the market-leading family of productivity-class 3D processor chips, and integrates high-performance, professional graphics sub-systems onto silicon devices that radically lower the cost of OpenGL-based 3D acceleration. GLINT supports high-resolution displays and deep 32 bit color and Z buffers, and accelerates 100% of OpenGL rendering operations in silicon - including advanced texture-mapping, anti-aliasing and alpha-blending at rendering speeds of up to 500,000 polygons per second. The GLINT chip family is currently the only silicon shipping with an OpenGL Installable Client Driver, providing highly-optimized and fully compliant OpenGL performance, integrated seamlessly with Windows NT. OpenGL is fully supported and endorsed by Microsoft as the high-end 3D API for CAD, imaging and multimedia authoring. Company Information NeTpower provides high-performance solutions for the Windows NT market. The company offers a broad range of hardware and software products, including powerful workstations and servers, which optimize the functionality and ease-of-use of Windows NT Workstation and Windows NT Server. NeTpower offers full support and consulting services on Windows NT systems in complex, distributed computing environments See DCE. Distributed Computing Environment - (DCE) An architecture consisting of standard programming interfaces, conventions and server functionalities (e.g. naming, distributed file system, remote procedure call) for distributing applications transparently across networks . NeTpower is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California Sunnyvale ([sʌniveil]) is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is one of the major cities that make up the Silicon Valley. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 131,760. , with offices worldwide. 3Dlabs is a worldwide supplier of merchant chips, software and core technology for 3D graphics. With over 10 years experience in 3D graphics, the company's products enable chip, board and system manufacturers to integrate advanced 3D capabilities into their products for such applications as multimedia authoring, CAD, simulation, virtual reality, interactive TV and video games See video game console. . 3Dlabs has consistently led the industry in being first to deliver successive generations of 3D devices that precisely meet the emerging needs of the 3D market. In a recent article the company was positioned as the "First member of the next generation of chip companies" by the influential Red Herring Red Herring A preliminary registration statement that must be filed with the SEC describing a new issue of stock (IPO) and the prospects of the issuing company. Notes: magazine. In January 1996, 3Dlabs' GLINT and Permedia silicon were honored with a First Place Computer Graphics World Editor's Choice Award for outstanding innovation. 3Dlabs Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, CA., was founded in April 1994, and is privately owned. -0- Note to Editors: 3Dlabs and GLINT are registered trademarks of 3Dlabs Inc. Ltd. NeTpower is a registered trademark, and Elite2 and Calisto are trademarks of NeTpower, Inc. Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corp. Pro/ENGINEER is a trademark of Parametric Technology Corp. OpenGL is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Softimage is a registered trademark of Softimage, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. of Microsoft Corporation (company) Microsoft Corporation - The biggest supplier of operating systems and other software for IBM PC compatibles. Software products include MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, Microsoft Access, LAN Manager, MS Client, SQL Server, Open Data Base Connectivity (ODBC), MS Mail, . Autodesk and 3D Studio are registered trademarks and 3D Studio MAX is trademark of Autodesk, Inc. All other trademarks are acknowledged are acknowledged and recognized. CONTACT: NeTpower Inc. Rael Morris, 408/522-5112 rael_morris@netpower.com http://www.netpower.com or 3Dlabs Inc. Neil Trevett Neil Trevett is currently Vice President of Embedded Content at NVIDIA. He is responsible for enabling and encouraging compelling applications on non-PC platforms, including cell phones and automobiles. Prior to joining NVIDIA, Mr. , 408/436-3456 neil.trevett@3dlabs.com http://www.3dlabs.com or Horizon Public Relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most Jonathan Hirshon, 408/982-2555 jh@horizonpr.com http://www.horizonpr.com |
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