3dfx Opens Glide

In an effort to secure its place with Linux users, 3dfx has decided to make its Glide API open source. The company is also releasing the hardware specifications for all of its currently available 3D hardware accelerators. The company hopes that making Glide open source will lead to improved drivers and increased user base on non-windows platforms. "The release of the API and the hardware specifications allows for rapid tailoring of drivers and applications for 3dfx products to suit a variety of platform needs. This leadership move substantially enhances our ability to become the standard for cross-platform 3D hardware," said 3dfx vice president and CTO Scott Sellers. Linux developers welcomed the news, "With the Open Source release of FXT1 texture compression in August followed by today's announcement of Open Source Glide and hardware specifications, Red Hat sees a real commitment from 3dfx to become the leading 3D hardware platform for Linux-based Oses," said Red Hat director of engineering Erik Troan.