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Compatibility with Mesa 3D graphics library

Hi,

A few months ago, @Phil BoBo gave us some explanations by email about using FlexSim with the Mesa 3D graphics library. I continue the discussion here, in case some forum members also look for information on this topic.

Phil provided a screenshot showing that it's possible to change FlexSim’s OpenGL Context in File > Global Preferences to use a Core Profile (3.3) instead of a Recommended OpenGL Context to get this to work:

1638882929435.png


Recently, an engineering school reported to us that they are also using the Mesa library. They are no longer installing FlexSim locally in the classrooms, but instead they use virtual machines, with VMWare.

The graphics driver is VMWare SVGA 3D, version 8.17.2.12:

3.png


If you use the recommended OpenGL Context, the OpenGL information showed by FlexSim is:

OpenGL: SVGA3D; build: RELEASE; LLVM;, VMware, Inc, 3.3 (Compatibility Profile) Mesa 20.2.0-devel (git-bced9b46e7)

1.png

And the 3D view is showing an empty blue background, no object is drawn when you drag&drop.

I also tried with the Open GL Core Profile, then the OpenGL information showed by FlexSim is:

OpenGL: SVGA3D; build: RELEASE; LLVM;, VMware, Inc, 3.3 (Core Profile) Mesa 20.2.0-devel (git-bced9b46e7)

2.png

But the 3D view is still showing an empty blue background, no object is drawn when you drag&drop.

@Phil BoBo would you have a hint why the 3.3 Core Profile does not draw 3D objects with this configuration ?

Let me know if you need more information.

FlexSim 21.2.3
mesasvga3dvmware
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Phil BoBo avatar image Phil BoBo ♦♦ commented ·

I was able to figure out what was wrong previously because your client sent me the Mesa DLL that they were using, and I could replicate the problem.

The screenshots you've pasted do not contain enough information for me to replicate the issue on my machine to debug what OpenGL function(s) the driver is not handling.

Please duplicate the problem on your machine and then send whatever is necessary for me to then duplicate it on mine.

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Clair A avatar image Clair A Phil BoBo ♦♦ commented ·
Thanks Phil. The screenshots above are replicated from my computer, using FlexSim through the virtual machine of the engineering school. If I share with you my credentials to launch a virtual machine at this school, would that help for testing ?
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Phil BoBo avatar image Phil BoBo ♦♦ Clair A commented ·

No, I need to be able to replicate it on a FlexSim Development machine that can debug the Engine.

If we can't reproduce the environment that FlexSim is running, then you are running on an unsupported environment that doesn't meet the software's system requirements.

If you want support for that type of untested environment, then we need specific installation and replication steps to duplicate that environment on our end.

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1 Answer

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Clair A answered

The school's IT manager installed a newer release of the Mesa driver (21.3.1) and now the 3D view rendering is fine, even in the default recommended OpenGL Context:

1.png


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