Implementing 3D graphics support into Parallels 4 is no small feat. I'm sure there are a lot of variables to consider when you're figuring out making it work. Would you please consider exposing those variables, instead of the current "enable or disable" switch in the Configure menu. Right now, when a 3D app fails, we don't have a lot to go on to figure out the problem. If there were a way for us to see how the 3D support in Parallels was handling the app, it would be a big help. For example, it would be great if we could see debug logs of what Parallels is doing with regards to graphics. It would even be better if we could have more control over it, via switches in the Configure menu. Some examples would be: - Let us choose what version of DirectX is being emulated/supported (since it's obvious this changed drastically from Parallels 3 to Parallels 4) - Let us choose what version of OpenGL is being emulated/supported - Let us choose if DirectX support is being handled directly, or re-implemented via OpenGL. Obviously, I'm not familiar with how you've implemented your 3D support... so some of those examples may not be appropriate. But the concept is still sound: Can you please expose more of the inner workings of the 3D support to us? Also, those are fairly high level controls. I'd love to have access to even lower level stuff: texture memory allocation, how shaders are handled, etc. But let's start with the broad strokes. Many of the people on these forums who ask for help getting a 3D app or game to work would probably be willing to put in the time tweaking parameters to make their app work. They'd probably tell other people what their solution was. More apps working with Parallels would make Parallels more valuable. Good for you, good for us. Whaddya think?
Parallels Desktop for Mac virtualizes generic PC hardware inside the virtual machine, and, generally, most of the PC applications, supported by the guest OS, can be installed and run in the virtual machine, but you should keep in mind the following limitations: * VM doesn't support 3D hardware graphics acceleration, so 3D graphics rendering in the VM is only possible in software mode. Virtual video adapter is generic VESA 3.0 compatible device. Most of the modern computer games using 3D graphics cannot be run inside a VM due to this limitation. * A video adapter emulated in a virtual machine supports only single monitor mode. * You may notice low performance when running old 16-bit applications, DOS programs, in particular. Check if the virtual machine is running with VT-x support turned on. Disable VT-x support by clicking the Acceleration link in the main Parallels Desktop for Mac configuration window and clearing the check box for the "Enable Intel VT-x support" option. For further clarification of the games and applications please visit the below mentioned web site http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/features/3d/
It would even be better if we could have more control over it, via switches in the Configure menu. Some examples would be: - Let us choose what version of DirectX is being emulated/supported (since it's obvious this changed drastically from Parallels 3 to Parallels 4) If you have software for DirectX 8, it will work without problems, compatibility is implemented in Direct X by default - Let us choose what version of OpenGL is being emulated/supported The same is true for OpenGL, it is compatible with previous version - Let us choose if DirectX support is being handled directly, or re-implemented via OpenGL. There are too many variables to consider, and always the best is to consult to the list of supported application, this is guaranteed to work, If application 3d fails to install, the choice is simple disable enable 3d support As for 3d support in general, we are trying to bring it to as much as possible to the same level as on real PC, just we are going from fact that it is VESA 3 compatible video card, the best comparison can be done, if you think about video card as like Intel integrated Graphic chipset, of course without additional settings which it is provided,
