| Platform SDK: DirectX |
Direct3D supports an additional device type called the reference rasterizer. Unlike an RGB device, the reference rasterizer supports every Direct3D feature. Because these features are implemented for accuracy, rather than speed, and are implemented in software, the results are not very fast. The reference rasterizer does make use of special CPU instructions whenever it can, but it is not intended for retail applications. Use the reference rasterizer only for feature testing or demonstration purposes.
The reference rasterizer is not normally enumerated by Direct3D; set the EnumReference named value in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Direct3D\Drivers registry key to a nonzero DWORD value to enable its enumeration.
Applications written in C++ create a reference device with the IDirect3D7::CreateDevice method. Pass the value IID_IDirect3DRefDevice as the first parameter. For more information, see Creating a Direct3D Device.
Visual Basic applications create a reference device with the Direct3D7.CreateDevice method. Pass the "IID_IDirect3DRefDevice" string constant as the first parameter. For more information, see Creating a Direct3D Device.