The hottest Graphics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Hands-on graphics without X11

Blog System/5 • 1240 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Graphics Hardware Programming Systems
  1. Using NetBSD's wscons framework, you can access and manipulate the graphical framebuffer directly without needing X11. This lets programmers draw graphics in a simpler way.
  2. The architecture of wscons is structured in layers, making it possible to interact with various hardware devices uniformly. It ensures that both output and input devices work across different machines.
  3. You can handle keyboard input using a feature called wsmux, which allows you to manage multiple keyboard devices easily. It makes your program more robust if a keyboard isn't connected right away.

[GB200 NVL72] The Mainframe of Doom

Irrational Analysis • 339 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors Datacenters AI Graphics
  1. Nvidia's GB200 NVL72 poses an existential threat to competitors in the datacenter CPU market, offering a unique 2:1 ratio and improved integration perspective.
  2. The reintroduction of mainframes signifies a strategic move by Nvidia, with the new AI mainframe/appliance providing massive TCO advantages and performance gains.
  3. Jensen's benevolent trade offer complements technical excellence in the face of political challenges, aiming to secure Nvidia's position in the market and potentially disrupt the status quo.

MCU land, part 9: ST7789, the final frontier

lcamtuf’s thing • 1836 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Microcontrollers Graphics Programming Electronics Embedded Systems
  1. Driving a 2.8" 240x320 IPS panel with a Microchip SAM S70 Cortex-M7 MCU can be surprisingly simple.
  2. The steps to set up the ST7789 display controller involve minimal and straightforward commands like hardware reset and configuration for color mode.
  3. Generating image data for the display in 16 bpp RGB565 color mode is achievable through tools like ImageMagick.

MCU land, part 10: blocks all the way down

lcamtuf’s thing • 1224 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Graphics Audio
  1. Using a 32-bit MCU was necessary for storing graphics assets like bitmaps and ensured smooth gameplay.
  2. The display quality is not just about resolution; advancements in technology like camera sensors and display panels also play a crucial role.
  3. Game development on microcontrollers involves considerations like random number generation, handling rapid player inputs, and optimizing rotations for a smooth gameplay experience.
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Comparing the Names of Various Retro Computers

Goto 10: The Newsletter for Atari Enthusiasts • 117 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Computers Brands Graphics Innovations
  1. Product naming can be challenging even today, as seen in the variety of names given to retro computers.
  2. Using numbers was a common naming convention for retro computers, such as Apple II, Commodore 64, and Atari 520ST.
  3. The name of a product plays a significant role in its success and recognition, with memorable names like Atari and Amiga standing out.

LLM Renderman

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 07 Apr 24
🕹 Technology AI Graphics Industry Development Innovation
  1. The early days of CGI faced many challenges, like high costs and limited realism, similar to current struggles in AI development.
  2. Just like CGI evolved to become seamless in movies, AI technology is expected to improve and become a normal part of our lives over time.
  3. Even if some early attempts in AI look flawed, progress is being made, and future innovations will likely succeed where the past struggled.

GM Shaders: MRT

GM Shaders Mini Tuts • 98 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Graphics Shaders Gaming Programming
  1. By using gl_FragData[0-3], you can output 4 separate fragment colors to up to 4 surfaces with one draw call
  2. Multiple Render Targets have various applications like deferred rendering, unique object IDs, and depth maps in 2D or 3D contexts
  3. Consider limitations with MRTs, like compatibility with platforms, VRAM usage, and controlling fragment outputs independently

GM Shaders Mini: Imagination

GM Shaders Mini Tuts • 157 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Graphics Programming Mathematics Algorithms Tutorials
  1. When working with shaders, think in terms of vector fields to direct the flow and create gradients.
  2. Consider the acceptable input domains and the output ranges of your functions to prevent errors and unexpected results.
  3. Utilize periodic functions for repetition, sine and cosine for waves and rotations, dot product as a ruler, and exponentiation for adjusting brightness levels.

GM Shaders Guest: Gaming Engineer

GM Shaders Mini Tuts • 137 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Graphics Game Development Shaders 3D Modeling
  1. Noah Pauw discusses creating advanced 3D graphics in GameMaker using shaders for real-time lighting and PBR materials.
  2. Game Maker is favored by Noah despite advice to switch to Unity or Unreal for photorealistic 3D games.
  3. Noah shares insights on using Blender for 3D modeling, creating lighting shaders, implementing PBR materials, and drawing 3D environments in Game Maker.

GM Shaders: WebGPU

GM Shaders Mini Tuts • 58 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Graphics Programming Web Coding Game Development
  1. WebGPU is the new standard for accelerated graphics and compute, set to replace WebGL. It offers more features, deeper low-level access, and enhanced security, making it exciting for developers.
  2. WebGPU provides cross-platform support, allowing for better control over GPU resources, and introduces compute shaders for handling diverse data types efficiently.
  3. WGSL, the shading language of WebGPU, is stricter than GLSL with similarities to Rust or Swift. It offers optimizations and consistent results across different hardware configurations.

Cyberpunk 2077

Have You Played? • 117 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Graphics Storytelling RPGs Immersion
  1. Cyberpunk 2077 has an overly long and linear prologue, which takes away from the player's freedom in the game.
  2. The game struggles with editing in terms of dialogue and storytelling, making it feel verbose and lacking in immersion.
  3. Despite impressive graphics and familiar cyberpunk aesthetics, Cyberpunk 2077 falls short in delivering unique gameplay, compelling story, and engaging world interactions.

Apple Animation Through the Ages: 2007

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 218 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Animation Frameworks Graphics Development
  1. In 2007, Apple introduced Core Animation, revolutionizing how animations were implemented on Mac OS X.
  2. Core Animation streamlined animation implementation by providing a declarative framework that leveraged the GPU for smooth transitions.
  3. Developers could easily create animations with Core Animation properties like frame, border, filters, and opacity.

GM Shaders Mini: CRT

GM Shaders Mini Tuts • 98 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Graphics Shaders Effects Tutorial Gaming
  1. Emulating the retro CRT monitor look involves RGB color masking, pixelation, chromatic aberration, screen curvature, vignette, pulsing, scanlines, and bloom.
  2. Creativity allows for creating variations using different effects like scanlines, chromatic aberration, vignette, or just the RGB mask and pixelation.
  3. The tutorial provides insights on how to recreate the CRT effect for a game's visuals, providing a cozy and nostalgic feel.

GM Shaders Mini: Vector Spaces

GM Shaders Mini Tuts • 39 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Graphics Tutorials
  1. Different vector spaces like texture space, screen space, object space, world space, view space, and projection space serve specific purposes in graphics programming.
  2. Understanding these spaces helps in manipulating orientation, scales, positioning, and skewing of vectors for advanced effects like fog, SSAO, and shadow mapping.
  3. Each space has unique characteristics, such as how texture space is measured in texel units and world space represents position in the room.

Star Trek: Resurgence

Have You Played? • 39 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Video Games Graphics Storytelling Dialogue
  1. Star Trek: Resurgence is a dialogue-driven adventure game focusing on preventing an interplanetary war.
  2. The game mimics the style of Star Trek: The Next Generation with dialogue choices that affect crew opinions.
  3. The inclusion of unnecessary minigames like stealth and tricorder scanning detract from the core storytelling experience.

Are You A Gamer, Yet?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Gaming AI Graphics Computer Science Innovation
  1. There are over a billion gamers worldwide, but many people have not yet embraced gaming. It's likely that in the future, almost everyone will be a gamer.
  2. AI has had a significant impact on gaming, improving graphics and gameplay experiences. At the same time, gaming advancements have also contributed to the development of AI.
  3. The relationship between AI and gaming is a two-way street, where each technology enhances the other, leading to better experiences for players.

SDL Tutorial Part 2: Drawing Text

Deus In Machina • 36 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Programming Graphics
  1. To display text in SDL2, you need to include SDL_ttf.h and work with functions like TTF_Init, TTF_OpenFont, TTF_RenderText_Solid, and SDL_CreateTextureFromSurface.
  2. When using SDL2, surfaces are CPU-based bitmaps ideal for pixel manipulation, while textures are GPU-based and essential for efficient rendering.
  3. SDL2 can render using either SDL_Surface or SDL_Texture, with SDL_Surface being software rendering done entirely by the CPU, bypassing the GPU.

GM Shaders Guest: Bart

GM Shaders Mini Tuts • 19 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Programming Graphics Shaders Documentation
  1. Using 'shader_enable_corner_id()' in vertex shaders for 3D particles allows identification and manipulation of vertices in GameMaker.
  2. Understanding vertex buffers and formats in GameMaker is essential for drawing and manipulating shapes.
  3. By manipulating corner IDs in shaders, it is possible to transform particles and sprites in GameMaker into 3D billboards.

Sprite Attack!

Dan’s MEGA65 Digest • 11 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Graphics Gaming Programming Animation
  1. Sprites in computer graphics are dedicated to moving objects like spaceships or characters and were essential for video games and user interfaces on the Commodore 64.
  2. MEGA65 supports VIC-II hardware sprites and offers sprite-related BASIC commands to make it easy to use in programs, allowing for creating simple arcade games.
  3. Understanding sprite features like multicolor mode, double size options, collision detection, and managing sprite image data through tools like the Sprite Editor enhances game development on the MEGA65.

Bitmap Bonanza!

Dan’s MEGA65 Digest • 22 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🕹 Technology Graphics Software Digital Art
  1. MEGA65's VIC-IV video chip has multiple graphics modes inspired by vintage computing history
  2. VIC-III bitplane graphics mode in MEGA65 is fun to use with BASIC 65 for drawing vector art
  3. You can save and load graphics screens in IFF-ILBM file format on MEGA65, and convert modern images to display on MEGA65

An Interview with Ian Fieggen, Shoelace Expert

Syntopikon • 11 HN points • 17 Apr 23
🪑 Design Illustration Web Design Graphics User Experience
  1. Ian Fieggen, known as 'Professor Shoelace,' has compiled extensive shoelace information in various formats for over two decades.
  2. Fieggen uses outdated tools like an old PC running Windows 8 and ancient graphics software to continue his work.
  3. Shoelaces, often underestimated, have led to creative solutions and improvements for different needs, like hiking or running.

Demystifying GPUs for CPU-centric programmers

The AI Observer • 3 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Programming AI Graphics
  1. GPUs are essential for modern compute, especially with the rise of AI workloads like large language models that heavily rely on tensor operations like matrix addition and multiplication.
  2. When working with GPUs, programmers use CUDA to define functions called kernels that can be launched on the GPU. Parallelism is explicitly defined and optimized, unlike in CPUs where loops iterate serially over data sets.
  3. Execution on GPUs differs from CPUs due to the minimal cost of GPU hardware threads, efficient thread scheduling at the hardware layer, and the use of warps to execute parallel instructions. GPUs optimize for high throughput with many hardware threads, while CPUs focus on low latency for individual instructions.

An In-depth Review of the Kubuntu Focus XE Gen 1

Arraybolt's Archives • 1 HN point • 17 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Hardware Software Networking Graphics
  1. The Kubuntu Focus XE Gen 1 is a high-performance Linux laptop with a sleek design and advanced features.
  2. The laptop handles multitasking and heavy workloads with ease, thanks to its powerful specs like i5 processor and 32 GB RAM.
  3. The graphics performance is impressive, with smooth video playback and efficient screen resolution, making it a great choice for non-gaming tasks.

GPU 2D Drawing: Rectangls. Masking. Rotations.

Hasen Judi • 2 HN points • 04 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Graphics Programming Design Algorithms Transformation
  1. Rectangles can be defined in different ways for SDF purposes, but simplifying it to (center, half_size) helps in calculations such as distance to edges or corner points.
  2. Simple transformations like growing, bordering, and inversion, along with masking and rotations, can create interesting visual effects and shapes.
  3. Combining these shape manipulation techniques can lead to the creation of more complex shapes and effects in GPU-rendered graphics.