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Author Topic: Apparently, my computer doesn't support the Shader feature, so what can I do?  (Read 3867 times)

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awsumpwner27

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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

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

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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.

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Laurent

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Quote
sf::Shader::isAvailable() probably returns either true or false according to you OGL version.
Not exactly, it checks the corresponding extensions.
Laurent Gomila - SFML developer

awsumpwner27

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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

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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 :)
Laurent Gomila - SFML developer

awsumpwner27

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I figured.

Well, thank you for the info.

iride

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

awsumpwner27

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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

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What effect do you have in mind?

Maybe shaders are not the only option to achieve it.
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Qix

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What hardware are you on, out of curiosity? Shaders not being supported suggests it's extremely old hardware or extremely outdated drivers.
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<danharibo> iostream: I don't do enough drugs to think that's a good idea.