User's Manual

User Guide for Chrome 500 Series Graphics
SG195-A.1 10/20/2008
Page 121
Features:
Advanced
Warning: Configuration of the following features should
be done only by experienced users, as unexpected
behaviors or appearance may result.
Detail level adjust
The number of levels or steps available for use between
the largest and the smallest MIP map image can be
specified by applications and driver software. Called the
MIP map Level of Detail (LOD) bias, settings are
selectable and can produce results ranging from high
speed performance to high visual quality.
Also known as “MIP mapping” is actually an abbreviation
for the Latin phrase Multum im Parvum, which means
“many in few.” MIP mapping textures increases quality
and detail by generating and storing scaled versions of a
texture image. When the texture is rendered in a 3D
scene, MIP map levels computed by trilinear texturing
are available for use by the OpenGL application.
High quality images will be sharper and more aliased
and will result from the use of a higher number of MIP
map levels. Blurrier images result from using a smaller
number of intermediary MIP map levels. Because less
texture data is used, higher performance is associated
with fewer MIP map levels.
Setting options include:
Auto (default) – Select Auto to let S3 Graphics
software provide optimized control of adjustments for
Level of Detail bias.
0 (Quality) – Select 0 (Quality) to use the highest
available visual quality, using the maximum Level of
Detail bias. This number tells S3 Graphics software
to use the highest number of MIP map levels
possible. This setting will produce the greatest level
of visual quality and detail, but will often have a
significant impact on rendering speed, as much
texture data is processed.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…– Select any intermediate level to
achieve your optimal balance between quality and
performance.
8 (Performance) – Select 8 (Performance) to tell S3
Graphics software to use the smallest number of MIP
map levels available. This setting will produce higher
speed performance at the expense of visual quality.