View source for GSoC New rendering system

= GSoC idea: New Rendering System =

== Why ==
Spring rendering engine includes many fixed function pipeline OpenGL functions. This rendering system is becoming deprecated and is generally slower and less flexible than more modern approaches.

== What ==
Under this proposal, the rendering code should get a complete overhaul and moved into a Scene Graph.
Allowing to replace the old code optionally with shader based approaches, including techniques as normal/relief mapping or 100% GPU based rendering of particles.

== Required skills ==
* Knowledge of C++
* Knowledge of OpenGL 2.0 API 
* Knowledge of GLSL

== Difficulty ==
Estimated: high

== Technical details ==

* Refactor C++ code and classes
* Create new GLSL shaders and integrate some from Lua scripts
* Add threading to renderer
* Remove all direct OpenGL calls from synced (sim) code.
* Push more work onto GPU and use DMA transfers (VBOs) while retaining OpenGL 1.4 code path for intel chipsets
* Reduce/refactor the amount of code paths used for rendering different world objects and model types.
* Use more class overriding for new rendering code (instead of branching)
* OpenGL ES 2.0 compatibility should be aimed at where possible.

[[Category:GSoC]]