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Colin_Finck
Contributor
Contributor

What's the state of 3D acceleration in guests?

Hello,

I'm interested in the state of 3D acceleration in VMware guests.

At the moment, I use VMware Server 1.0.2.

As far as I know, this version does not support 3D acceleration at all, is this correct?

I also heard that VMware Workstation supports a limited set of Direct3D functions.

How limited is this Direct3D support? What about OpenGL, does it also work in a VM?

My target is to run Beryl or Compiz under a VM. It would be also great if other 3D applications can be used.

Thanks in advance,

Colin Finck

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KevinG
Immortal
Immortal

Experimental Support for Direct3D

VMware Workstation 5.x & 6.0 includes experimental support for Direct3D video acceleration. This feature is not fully functional.

More information can be found here:

http://www.vmware.com/support/ws55/doc/ws_vidsound_d3d.html

Colin_Finck
Contributor
Contributor

I read this, but what about OpenGL hardware emulation?

Somewhere in the forums I read that someone got OpenGL working under a VMware guest.

Also is there anything planned for future VMware versions concerning 3D acceleration?

Or does VMware 6 already have some 3D acceleration improvements?

Best regards,

Colin Finck

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KevinG
Immortal
Immortal

What is your host OS?

What is your guest OS?

No, there are no improvements at this time in VMware Workstation 6 for 3D support

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Colin_Finck
Contributor
Contributor

My host OS is Windows XP Professional SP2.

As guest OSes, I would like to run Windows 2000/XP and various Linux versions.

By the way, here you write that you can submit reports on 3D acceleration to help VMware: http://www.vmware.com/support/ws55/doc/ws_vidsound_d3d_helping.html

But there is not written, where to send these reports.

Best regards,

Colin Finck

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KevinG
Immortal
Immortal

VMware offers only experimental support for Direct3D acceleration. VMware may not respond personally to all support requests regarding Direct3D acceleration.

You would need to file a support request