[compiz] Mini-Compiz on Miniature Linux/OpenGL (embedded 3D window system)

[Jerome Glisse]

On 4/17/07, ZeAtShuttle <zelco at xtra.co.nz> wrote:
>
>
> hi,
>
> my goal is to produce (for start) really tiny and simple Compiz-like "window
> manager", the main concern is size and speed... and by size i mean very
> tiny:1-2MB
>
> since everyone is probably laughing (id be too, few months ago), i might
> start by showing its possible,
> actually there is already complete WORKING development environment for it...
> thanks to SciTech drivers it can run OpenGL without X, which cuts in size
> just enough, but not only that... its setup free, its plug'n'play... well,
> have a look, hope you'll find it interesting:
>
> Linux based OpenGL development system without X
> http://one.xthost.info/zelko/opengl.html
>
>
> now, these scitech drivers are great considering all the stuff that is
> going(not going) on with Linux drivers, but the most important part, for
> COOL effects, is not (fully) HW accelerated, like draw to textures,
> blending... but, still... 3D cube desktop and all the -window distortion-
> effects can be done as it is! im not sure if some of the earlier ATI cards
> that got specs out maybe even fully accelerated there, but no one seem to
> use/know about these drivers so its hard to find out..
>
> its all about drivers, OpenGL drivers,
> i've tried these as well, but could not make them work:
>
> * fbdev/DRI
> * directFB
> * GGI/libGGI
>
>
>
>
> can someone, please, answer this:
>
> 1.) are there any similar projects to this?
>
> 2.) anyone keen to help me make fbdev/DRI(miniglx) or GGI version of the
> system?

You more likely find help on dri-devel mailing list for this, last time
i compiled miniglx (few month ago) it almost worked out of the box.
You might consider looking at dri-devel, mesa-dev, or xorg mailing
list archive for people talking about miniglx, i am sure you can find
out an old mesa version with miniglx working. That said using lastest
git might need you do some hacking in the drm, fb, mesa, miniglx,
but Airlie might have a more up to date miniglx in his own repository
see gitweb.freedesktop.org for list of public repository (his one should
be their).

If you got time you can also start working on egl or drm modesetting
which will likely be the future (ie modesetting in the kernel which
will replace fbdev and future) but this kind of project is time
consuming especialy if you don't know much about graphics hw.

> 3.) who knows if its possible to "convert" binary ATI/nVidia drivers to work
> without X?
> thanks,

Without the source i would say it's not possible unless you mimick all the
xf86 driver interface which basicly mean redo an xserver :)

best,
Jerome Glisse