
                 Some programs ported to TAGL


I have written a TAGL driver for several programs, so that they can run
under X and SVGA, accept 8,16 or 24 bits per pixel, without needing
any re-compile.
These programs are written in C, but that's not a problem since C++ can
export functions to C. For each program, the driver is written in C++,
and declares its functions as external "C". Generally speaking, these
programs are well structured and machine-dependent graphic code is grouped
in one or two files. It was not too long to write a TAGL gateway driver 
(except for mpeg_play, in which graphic functions are scattered 
everywhere :-( ).
g++ is used for linking, because c++ libraries are required (iostream, 
for instance)
It makes several programs available for Xfree3.1 users that have a 16bpp
X server (like me).

Any program that uses SVGALIB can be ported the same way, especially if
it's well structured. Next port : sasteroids ! (if I've got enough time ...)

o POVRAY - Ray tracer

The driver will do dithering in 8bpp and 16bpp mode.
Dithering is not really necessary in 16bpp mode, but it looks a little bit
better, especially when there are large areas with continuous shades.
In 8bpp, the result won't be as good as MSDOS pov release, but much better
than XWindow pov. Will add a Floyd Steinberg dithering later on ...

I have written a little TGA viewer, still using TAGL.
The result won't be as good as XV or zgv ( I wonder 
why they do not handle TGA ).

All this can be usefull for Xless Linuxers who want to use POVRAY.

o wt - Doom-like engine

The author wrote routines that use internal 16bits values. It was not too
difficult to redirect this to a GraphicPort. The dithering function was
already there too.
Looks great in 16bpp, but no 24bpp support, sorry !
It works in G1024x768x32K, but it becomes slooowwwwww,
I tryed to deactivate floors and ceilings drawing (walls don't need screen
blanking) and it had a good speed in mode G640x480x32K on my 486dx33.

- mpeg_play : still not ready yet ...


BUGS

o Identified bugs of previous release have been fixed. 
o Unidentied flying bugs (U.F.B.'s) are still alive !

INSTALLING

o Get the package from your favourite ftp server
o Put the right Makefile into the distribution
o Change directories in the Makefile

