SwiftShader

SwiftShader is a software 3D renderer developed by TransGaming with many DirectX 9.0 features, such as Shader Model 2.0. It is compatible with many existing applications without changes to the source code or the need for recompiling, the user simply needs to replace existing DirectX DLL files with those supplied by SwiftShader.

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Uses

The main use of SwiftShader at this moment is to allow games and other 3D applications to run on systems with powerful processors, but low end graphics solutions. These include the large amount of laptops sold with Intel GMA 915/950 chipsets.

Performance

SwiftShader uses a library called SwiftAsm to dynamically compile graphics operations at runtime, much like a virtual machine. This allows it to reach relatively high framerates, although nowhere near the performance of existing discrete graphics performance. [http://www.transgaming.com/products/swiftshader/faq/#8]

SwiftShader can render games as complex as Half Life 2 entirely in software. [ [http://www.transgaming.com/products/swiftshader/] ]

upported platforms

Although currently only available as Microsoft Windows DLLs, SwiftShader is said to be compatible with Transgamings' own Cedega platform on Linux [http://www.transgaming.com/products/swiftshader/faq/#6] and Cider on Mac OS X [http://www.transgaming.com/products/swiftshader/faq/#5] .

References