OpenGL superbitmaps?

BlitzMax Forums/OpenGL Module/OpenGL superbitmaps?

ImaginaryHuman(Posted 2005) [#1]
Is it possible in any way whatsoever to get OpenGL to create a `backbuffer` which is larger than the screen resolution? I know for example that when the resolution is 640x480 is opens a buffer that size. When the resolution is 1440x760 it opens a buffer that size also. If it can open buffers of different sizes why would it not be able to open a buffer bigger than the resolution? It would make superbitmaps so much easier to be able to work with the whole buffer at once???????


ImaginaryHuman(Posted 2005) [#2]
An alternative question is this: ...What is required to do a `render to texture`, in terms of extensions, hardware support, GPU speed, etc?


ImaginaryHuman(Posted 2005) [#3]
Anyone?


Scott Shaver(Posted 2005) [#4]
I think what you are after is OGL PBuffers. There is also something called GL_EXT_framebuffer_object which you can read about at

http://www.opengl.org/documentation/extensions/EXT_framebuffer_object.txt

This extension defines a simple interface for drawing to rendering destinations other than the buffers provided to the GL by the window-system.


ImaginaryHuman(Posted 2005) [#5]
Sounds good. How widespread is support for this extension? what version of opengl is needed?


Dreamora(Posted 2005) [#6]
You need a GeForce 4 or newer (real GF4 not MX) ... don't know which ATI (think 9000+)


ImaginaryHuman(Posted 2005) [#7]
Hmm. Sounds nice but sounds like it would cut out a bunch of potential users. Things to consider.