Xi Graphics Announces Plans to Bring Hardware-Accelerated 3D to Linux
Technology Demo Now Available

Denver -- The leader in high-performance X display servers for Linux and UNIX announces a special, limited quantity Version of its planned Accelerated-X_3D^TM Display Server. This technology demo is a complete Accelerated-X Display Server that integrates both 2D and 3D capability into the server body and includes the Open GL API developer's tools. In making the announcement, Xi Graphics becomes the first to make a hardware accelerated 3D X server available on a wide range of graphics boards on Intel Linux machines.

"We have already experienced high demand for this software from end users, game developers, CAD development groups and government organizations," says Lee Roder, Xi Graphics' engineering director. He also stresses that although the 3D Technology Demo is not yet retail product, portions of it have undergone extensive internal testing. "It is being made available to a select group of experts in the field so they can evaluate and critique the concepts used in the 3D server architecture."

The 3D Technology Demo is targeted at qualified developers currently deploying OpenGL applications and who are interested in moving to Linux/UNIX on the PC platform. It allows developers the opportunity to field test the package and work with Xi Graphics in the "Proof of Concept" stage of the product. Developers who purchase the $375 package will receive free upgrades to the demo and to the final product for one year after its release.

"This is not a production product,'" says Roder. "It is very early, raw code and should not be compared in performance to any Windows or Mac product. That comes later when the architectural approach has been completed."

The new server, which will be a companion product to the company's existing Accelerated-X Display Server line, incorporates advanced features such as rendering of multiple concurrent 3D windows, advanced texture-caching, tablet support (Wacom and Summagraphics), spaceball support (Logitech Magellan) and 8, 15/16, 24/32 bpp support (depending upon hardware support).

Support for several initial 3D graphics chipsets, such as Glint Delta/MX IV, Permedia II, Ticket2Ride IV, i740 and SiS 6326, is included. Additionally, the 3D Technology Demo server will be available for use with Linux, UnixWare, FreeBSD and Solaris/x86, versions 2.5.1, 2.6 and the upcoming 2.7 operating systems in Intel Hardware.

This 3D Technology Demo is a controlled release; therefore, developers interested in taking advantage of this opportunity should contact Xi Graphics only by e-mail at devrel@xig.com. The Xi Graphics Web site can be found at www.xig.com.
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