API Prefix to Create Display List


API Prefixes

API to Generate Display List (Command String)

Prefix Example Command String Format Pointer After Command is Generated
G3B_ G3B_Vtx(), G3B_LoadMtx43() Uncompressed Set pointer ahead
G3C_ G3C_Vtx(), G3C_LoadMtx43() Compressed Set pointer ahead
G3BS_ G3BS_Vtx(), G3BS_LoadMtx43() Uncompressed Do not set pointer ahead
G3CS_ G3CS_Vtx(), G3CS_LoadMtx43() Compressed Do not set pointer ahead

Reference: API to Directly Transfer Command to Geometry FIFO

Prefix Example
G3_ G3_Vtx(), G3_LoadMtx43()

Description

There are four formats for one function for API to generate a display list as shown in the table above. They are distinguished by prefixes. They correspond to four types of situations to generate a display list.

Uncompressed Format vs Compressed Format

This corresponds to display list formats supported by Nitro hardware. Normally, it is advantageous to use compressed format.

Uncompressed format Wastes memory. Processor’s generate process is fast.
Compressed format Does not waste memory.

In comparison, the generate process is slow. However, as memory access is minimal, it could be fast overall.

Setting Pointer Ahead vs Not Setting Pointer Ahead

When generating the command list, keep the current output buffer pointer using the DLInfo structure. This corresponds to whether or not to move this pointer forward to the next output position aftercommand output. Use it according to the rewriting situation.

Set pointer ahead Suitable for generating command list successively
Not set pointer ahead Suitable for rewriting a part of command list after it is generated.

See Also

MI_SendGXCommand*, G3_BeginMakeDL, G3_EndMakeDL

Revision History

03/29/2004 Initial Version