With Windows XP, it is possible to run OpenGL-based application at full speed thanks to OpenGL drivers that have direct access to the hardware.
But it seems that Microsoft has decided to change this direct hardware access for OpenGL in Windows Vista.
Microsoft's current plan for OpenGL on Windows Vista is to layer OpenGL over Direct3D in order to use OpenGL with a composited desktop to obtain the Aeroglass experience. If an OpenGL ICD is run - the desktop compositor will switch off - significantly degrading the user experience.Not only the OpenGL performance will be significantly reduced, but it will also become impossible tu run 2 applications simultaneously in the same display in frame-mode, one being DirectX-based , the other one being OpenGL-based.
So for the OpenGL community, it is quite clear that Microsoft has decided to force developers to use DirectX for all software if they wish to get full hardware power.
The bad thing for Mac users is of course that less OpenGL applications in PC world means less OpenGL applications ported to Mac.
Let's hope that the OpenGL community will be able to force Microsoft to change its mind...
Microsoft is back with another monopoly game...
