A brief history of the SSP graphics engine
As I mentioned in a recent blog, we are in the process of converting our old image processing effects to the new RipFX technology. This process actually represents one of the biggest changes to SSP since the introduction of version 5.5. Because of this, I thought that I might just give a bit of history. Before version 5.5, the big technology change in SSP occurred between versions 3 and 4. SSP version 4, introduced in 2000, was the first version of SSP to implement the use of plug-in modules (later known as ProModules). With this new architecture, almost every aspect of SSP technology was provided through a plug-in. Most plug-ins were provided with the standard installation. Others were provided as enhancements for those with a ProModules subscription. I think its accurate to say that SSP version 4 involved re-writing almost 3/4 of the code base from SSP version 3. This new architecture included a new graphics engine and was used in SSP up through version 5.3.
After version 5.3, we decided that is was time to get on the ball and implement motion backgrounds, a feature we'd been discussing for years. When implementing motion backgrounds, it was important to us to do it right. This meant 1) support for genuine font smoothing using alpha channel and, 2) support for motion backgrounds through transitions. Additionally, we wanted to provide, 3) user adjustable visualizations, 4) 3D transitions and animations, and 5) soft shadows. We wanted all of these features to be available with our initial support for motion backgrounds. None of these were being provided by our competitors at the time. But that wasn't the main point -- we just wanted to do it right.
Unfortunately, the graphics engine of SSP version 4 was not up to the task. We also didn't have time to completely rewrite the entire graphics engine -- we expected that our competitors were soon to release motion background support (some already had) -- so time was of the essence. Because of this, we figured out that we could replace the version 4 technologies used for transitions, animations, and shadow to the new (what was then considered version 6 technology) while leaving in place the version 4 technologies that could still be used, such as effects, fills, objects, and text.
Long story short, what was intended to be SSP version 6 was released as SSP version 5.5 in 2003 with the hybrid technology. This hybrid technology has bugged me ever since that time, so I'm quite happy to see the version 4 technology gradually disappear into the ether -- well, actually into the archives of our version control system.
(BE91)