Re: [Algorithms] FW: [CsMain] Scene Graphs

[Kent Q. <ken...@co...>]

Dave Eberly wrote:
> 
> From: "Stephen J Baker" <sj...@li...>
> >The worst part of it is that without a standard SG, there is no
> >way to promote the writing of generic 3D file loaders - which is
> >something that's badly needed IMHO.
> 
> Standardization is evil.  Okay, a strong statement
> to make :)  Perhaps better is to point out that
> standardization and innovation are in direct conflict.

Only in the area directly associated with the standard. 

Look at something like, oh, say, graphics cards.

Back in the mid 80s, we had a whole raft of different card interfaces;
if you wanted to write graphics code you had to write special drivers
for each card you wanted to support. I made a business at that time out
of writing graphics drivers.

Over time, people started standardizing on the VGA. And then you could
get out of the business of designing a software architecture that could
write to every card on the market and you could start putting user
features in instead. There were also a few people at that time who
complained that the standards were evil because they stifled innovation. 

Then we went through a phase where compatibility with the VGA was vital.
I then made a few bucks developing a VGA compatibility test suite for
one of the magazines.

Then we had new graphics cards with bitblt acceleration. The TI 94010
(did I get that number right?) and the like. I wrote some more drivers
for Lotus 1-2-3...and then worked for Lotus to promote Lotus' toolkit so
that people could write their own drivers.

Getting the picture? When there aren't standards, people create and sell
standardization systems. When there are standards, people test for
compatibility with them. Standards are not only not evil, they're a
necessary GOOD.

What I think a lot of us are feeling is that the days of "look how many
polygons *I* can shove down the pipeline" are numbered, and that we need
to (or at least want to) start thinking at a higher level. Gimme a
standard!

	Kent


-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kent Quirk                   | CogniToy: Intelligent toys...
Game Architect               |           for intelligent minds.
ken...@co...      | http://www.cognitoy.com/     
_____________________________|_________________________________________