Khronos Group Releases OpenGL 4.1 Specification

Advanced Micro Devices only yesterday finalized the OpenGL ES 2.0 driver and already the Khronos Group has announced that it completed the new update to the OpenGL specification. The Architecture Review Board (ARB) implemented the GSLS 4.10 update to the OpenGL Shading language and a number of extensions that add cutting-edge functionality to the standard. All in all, this cross-platform, royalty-free specification has just become even more adept at enabling developers to access high-grade GPU functionality and use new features across various operating systems and platforms.

The new iteration is fully compatible with OpenGL ES 2.0 APIs (Applications Programming Interfaces), which means it can be ported between desktop and mobile platforms with ease. Programs can also be bound individually to programmable stages, and rendering surfaces can take advantage of multiple viewpoints. These two elements greatly enhance programming and rendering flexibility, respectively. As for better geometric precision, it will be provided by means of 64-bit floating point component vertex shader inputs.

In addition to the update itself, ARM provided a number of extensions. OpenGL sync objects linked to OpenCL event objects are one of them, and enhance OpenCL interoperability. Secondly, there are new features that improve robustness during such applications as WebGL. Callback mechanisms, used to receive enhanced error and warning messages, are also available. Finally, Khronos Group threw in the possibility of stenciling values in a fragment shader, thus boosting render flexibility even further. One need only visit this page in order to download the specification.

“Khronos is methodically building their vision for pervasive developer access to cross-platform graphics, media and compute acceleration. The continued rapid-fire OpenGL evolution feeds high-end graphics innovation into that strategy,” stated Dr. Jon Peddie founder and principal of Jon Peddie Research. “Just as significant as OpenGL 4.1’s new 3D functionality are the ever closer links with OpenCL and OpenGL ES 2.0 – another significant step in strengthening the Khronos API ecosystem.”