NVIDIA Corporation today announced it developed and licensed enabling 3D features to Microsoft Corp. for their new DirectX 8.0 3D application program interface (API). NVIDIA contributions were in the areas of programmable vertex shaders, programmable pixel shaders, and rect/tri-patch support for high order surfaces. These features allow software content creators to use more elaborate artwork and flexible 3D rendering techniques in their applications and games.
"As a result of these new features, DirectX 8.0 will enable a new level of 3D graphics applications, and new GPUs, including NVIDIA's, bringing new 3D rendering and shading techniques to life," said Chris Jones, vice president of the Windows Client Division at Microsoft. "NVIDIA has been a great help in developing DirectX 8.0 as it is a leader in graphics technology."
DirectX 8.0 is Microsoft's latest and most advanced version of its popular 3D API that enables developers to write software for a wide variety of multimedia hardware including graphics, audio, video, networking, and input devices designed for PCs. NVIDIA and Microsoft worked closely during the development of DirectX 8.0 to jointly promote the API throughout the development community.
"NVIDIA's goal is to advance the state of the art in graphics technology, " said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO for NVIDIA. "DirectX 8.0 will enable stunning experiences on Windows platforms and will quickly become the industry standard for graphics and multimedia applications. Our cooperation with Microsoft will drive rapid adoption of these NVIDIA graphics innovations by making them standard on Microsoft platforms industry-wide."
This agreement is part of a relationship between the two companies, aimed at delivering a lifelike interactive 3D experience. Other activities include co-training of Microsoft DirectX developers, DirectX VA development, and development of two key processors, the Media Communications Processor (MCP) and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), for Microsoft's highly anticipated Xbox.