

Why is MacOS and games only detecting OpenGL 2.1?
#1
Posted 09 August 2016 - 02:42 PM
When I check my OpenGL version on terminal (using glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version") it says my Mac is only using OpenGL 2.1.
I'm told the same thing when running various source ports for Doom and Quake and check the OpenGL version.
The OpenGL extensions viewer on the Mac App Store, though, says my computer supports OpenGL 4.1, so why isn't any of my games using OpenGL versions higher than 2.1?
When I play FTE Quakeworld on Windows it also says my MacBook Pro uses OpenGL 4.3, which is weird when the same Quake source port on MacOS only uses 2.1.
Anyone know why this is, and if it's possible to make any source ports or games run on OpenGL versions higher than 2.1 on OS X?
I have a late 2013, 13 inch Macbook Pro, for those who are curious.
#2
Posted 09 August 2016 - 06:53 PM
What version of OS X are you running?
Gaming Build: i5 8400 || Vega 56 || 16 GB DDR4 || 960 Evo NVMe, 1 TB FireCuda || Win10 Pro
MiniITX Build: i3 8100 || 1060 3GB || 8 GB DDR4 || 480GB SSD || Win10 Pro
Other: Dell OptiPlex 3040 as VMware host || QNAP TS-228 NAS || iPhone X 64GB
#3
Posted 10 August 2016 - 12:35 AM
"Core" is the more advanced version, i.e. OpenGL 4.1 under OS X, and only available in Cocoa applications, and even then only when they are specifically written to use it. "Compatibility" is in fact only OpenGL 2.1, but can also be used by older (Carbon) and X Windows applications (the latter is the reason why glxinfo only reports OpenGL 2.1: GLX is the OpenGL API for X Windows).
"We do what we must, because we can."
"Gaming on a Mac is like women on the internet." — "Highly common and totally awesome?"
#4
Posted 10 August 2016 - 01:24 AM
Sneaky Snake, on 09 August 2016 - 06:53 PM, said:
What version of OS X are you running?
Janichsan, on 10 August 2016 - 12:35 AM, said:
"Core" is the more advanced version, i.e. OpenGL 4.1 under OS X, and only available in Cocoa applications, and even then only when they are specifically written to use it. "Compatibility" is in fact only OpenGL 2.1, but can also be used by older (Carbon) and X Windows applications (the latter is the reason why glxinfo only reports OpenGL 2.1: GLX is the OpenGL API for X Windows).
Thanks for clarifying. But I find it a bit odd that Mac only uses OpenGL versions higher than 2.1 on special occasions and not Windows 10 (the version of Windows I'm using).
#5
Posted 10 August 2016 - 01:35 AM
kelliegator, on 10 August 2016 - 01:24 AM, said:
Quote
(EDIT) The difference between OS X and Windows is, though, that OS X has (as mentioned) two different OpenGL APIs – the older AGL and the newer CGL (three counting GLX) – while Windows only has one: WGL.
"We do what we must, because we can."
"Gaming on a Mac is like women on the internet." — "Highly common and totally awesome?"
#6
Posted 10 August 2016 - 01:43 AM
Janichsan, on 10 August 2016 - 01:35 AM, said:
'cause if that's supposed to be the case it's not working. Might be something wrong with this beta of Sierra I'm using if that's the case.
#7
Posted 10 August 2016 - 01:50 AM
kelliegator, on 10 August 2016 - 01:43 AM, said:
'cause if that's supposed to be the case it's not working. Might be something wrong with this beta of Sierra I'm using if that's the case.

Maybe to clarify: you as a user cannot pick anything. The choice whether the Core or the Compatibility profile is used is made by the developer in the source code.
"We do what we must, because we can."
"Gaming on a Mac is like women on the internet." — "Highly common and totally awesome?"
#8
Posted 10 August 2016 - 01:55 AM
Janichsan, on 10 August 2016 - 01:50 AM, said:

Maybe to clarify: you as a user cannot pick anything. The choice whether the Core or the Compatibility profile is used is made by the developer in the source code.
I'm sorry if I ask too much but what would one have to write in the source code to use the core profile?
#9
Posted 10 August 2016 - 03:52 AM
kelliegator, on 10 August 2016 - 01:55 AM, said:
"We do what we must, because we can."
"Gaming on a Mac is like women on the internet." — "Highly common and totally awesome?"
#10
Posted 10 August 2016 - 04:40 AM
Janichsan, on 10 August 2016 - 03:52 AM, said:
Is there a list or any kind of knowledge about which Mac games out there utilise higher OpenGL versions (and a bit off-topic but do we know what games use the Metal API too, for that matter)?
#11
Posted 10 August 2016 - 04:55 AM
kelliegator, on 10 August 2016 - 04:40 AM, said:
Metal? None.
"We do what we must, because we can."
"Gaming on a Mac is like women on the internet." — "Highly common and totally awesome?"
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