Apparently, my computer doesn't support the Shader feature, so what can I do?

[awsumpwner27]

I checked out the examples, and I was disappointed to find out that the Shader example didn't work. I updated my graphics driver, hoping that it would make a difference, but it didn't. I got this computer about 4 years ago, and apparently I'm using a "Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family" graphics card. Also, the driver update I got was about 3 years old. :|

So, what are my options?

[Laurent]

If sf::Shader::isAvailable() returns false, then there's probably nothing you can do.

[masskiller]

It depends on the OpenGL version supported by your GPU, if it uses a version lower than OGL 2 then you can't do much about it since it was from that version that GLSL has created and therefore supported. sf::Shader::isAvailable() probably returns either true or false according to you OGL version.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GLSL

[Laurent]

sf::Shader::isAvailable() probably returns either true or false according to you OGL version.

Not exactly, it checks the corresponding extensions.

[awsumpwner27]

Well, how bad of an idea would it be if I implemented shader-like effects without the Shader? I imagine it being slow since it wouldn't be able to use the GPU.

[Laurent]

You mean, downloading the intermediate rendering to a pixel array in RAM, applying the "shader" manually pixel per pixel, and then uploading the result back to a texture and displaying it with a sprite? That would be incredibly slow

[awsumpwner27]

I figured.

Well, thank you for the info.

[iride]

Maybe you can update or get a new machine?
It'll be worth it.

[awsumpwner27]

Getting a new computer is a possibility that isn't favorable enough to depend on. I don't nearly have the money to afford it.

[Nexus]

What effect do you have in mind?

Maybe shaders are not the only option to achieve it.

[Qix]

What hardware are you on, out of curiosity? Shaders not being supported suggests it's extremely old hardware or extremely outdated drivers.