Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed that allow for execution of unsigned content and the securing of resources in a closed system when such unsigned content is executing on the system. For example, an access layer is used between an operating system layer of the closed system and the actual unsigned content. This access layer may contain various sub-layers, such as a graphics layer, an audio layer, an input layer, and a storage layer. These layers can control access that the unsigned content can have to the native operating system layers and the associated resources of the closed system. By providing such an access layer, unsigned content, e.g., video games, can run on the closed system that is typically designed to run only signed content.

Abstract: A set of importers accept a variety of formats of 2D and 3D content (source asset) for computer games in the format created by the artists' authoring tool. The source asset is standardized and normalized and is stored as a strongly typed object in a content object model. An object from the content object model can be deserialized to a file for debugging. The object can be converted to a managed object to which game code can be written. An executable object is generated from the object created during game development automatically.

Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed that allow for execution of unsigned content and the securing of resources in a closed system when such unsigned content is executing on the system. For example, an application programming interface is used between an access layer implementing unsigned content and an operating system of the closed system. The application programming interface may have sub-interfaces that correspond to sub-layers of the access layer, including a graphics sub-interface, an audio sub-interface, an input sub-interface, and a storage sub-interface. These sub-interfaces present access calls made by the sub-layers to the protected resources of the closed system. By providing the application programming interface, unsigned content, e.g., video games can run on a closed system that is typically designed to run only signed content.

Abstract: An application renders a visual simulation to a display as a series of visual frames according to a plurality of calls. Each frame contains objects. A particular frame n of the simulation is captured for re-rendering. An identification of the frame n to be captured is received, a run file for the identified frame n is created, and for the frame n each call issued in connection with such frame n by the application is captured. For each issued call in order, all establishing calls necessary to establish state for the issued call are firstly written to the run file, and the issued call is then secondly written to the run file. Thus, the run file as produced represents an ordered list of calls that may be executed by an executable on any of a plurality of computing devices to re-render the frame independent from the application.

Abstract: Mechanisms allow for execution of unsigned managed code graphic resource call in a closed system when such unsigned content is executing on the system. For example, a managed code graphic resource device is used between an application running unsigned content and a supervisor mode graphic resource device. A managed mode graphics device validates graphic resource calls made by the application. A managed mode graphics device manages resource calls by differentiating between calls that may be made directly to the supervisor mode graphics device, calls that may be pipelined for later action, and calls that may be made to an intermediate device.

Abstract: Various technologies for visualizing a multi-dimensional view object in a two-dimensional format are described. In accordance with one described embodiment, an interface for visualizing a multi-dimensional view object in two dimensions includes a surface selection tree panel, a view object information panel, and a visualization panel. The surface selection tree panel displays a surface selection tree associated with the multi-dimensional view object. A number of other surface selection trees associated with the multi-dimensional view object also exist and can be displayed if selected. The surface selection trees include one or more surfaces associated with the multi-dimensional view object. The view object information panel complements the surface selection tree panel by displaying information associated with the multi-dimensional view object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a code verification service that detects malformed data in an automated process and rejects submission and distribution if any malicious code is found. Once the submission is verified it may be packaged in container. The container may then be deployed to a mobile device, and the public key may be used to verify that the container authentic. The device can load trusted managed libraries needed to execute the application and a manager can ensure that only trusted libraries access native resources of the device.

Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed that allow for platform abstraction of a computing platform using a programming framework. The programming framework allows application programs to interact with different platforms in an identical manner by abstracting the platform. The application uses identical instructions to the programming framework across different platforms, with the programming framework modifying the instructions to fit platform specific requirements. The programming framework also emulates platform specific expected application behavior on behalf of the application. The programming framework may also provide an additional layer of security for the platform, limiting the access of the application program.

Abstract: Disclosed is a code verification service that detects malformed data in an automated process and rejects submission and distribution if any malicious code is found. Once the submission is verified it may be packaged in container. The container may then be deployed to a mobile device, and the public key may be used to verify that the container authentic. The device can load trusted managed libraries needed to execute the application and a manager can ensure that only trusted libraries access native resources of the device.

Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed that allow for execution of unsigned content and the securing of resources in a closed system when such unsigned content is executing on the system. For example, an application programming interface is used between an access layer implementing unsigned content and an operating system of the closed system. The application programming interface may have sub-interfaces that correspond to sub-layers of the access layer, including a graphics sub-interface, an audio sub-interface, an input sub-interface, and a storage sub-interface. These sub-interfaces present access calls made by the sub-layers to the protected resources of the closed system. By providing the application programming interface, unsigned content, e.g., video games can run on a closed system that is typically designed to run only signed content.

Abstract: A standard graphics specification for use by both developers of graphics files as well as of applications developed to execute in a runtime environment is disclosed. The graphics files are developed to conform to the graphics specification and therefore will be executable by applications in any runtime environment that likewise conform to the graphics specification. The specification includes program syntax standards and standards for metadata in the form of semantics and annotations that further describe the code. The specification additionally includes standards to which applications may conform to ensure that the applications will be capable of executing any graphics files that conform to the graphics specification.

Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed that allow for platform abstraction of a computing platform using a programming framework. The programming framework allows application programs to interact with different platforms in an identical manner by abstracting the platform. The application uses identical instructions to the programming framework across different platforms, with the programming framework modifying the instructions to fit platform specific requirements. The programming framework also emulates platform specific expected application behavior on behalf of the application. The programming framework may also provide an additional layer of security for the platform, limiting the access of the application program.

Abstract: Mechanisms allow for execution of unsigned managed code graphic resource call in a closed system when such unsigned content is executing on the system. For example, a managed code graphic resource device is used between an application running unsigned content and a supervisor mode graphic resource device. A managed mode graphics device validates graphic resource calls made by the application. A managed mode graphics device manages resource calls by differentiating between calls that may be made directly to the supervisor mode graphics device, calls that may be pipelined for later action, and calls that may be made to an intermediate device.

Abstract: A set of importers accept a variety of formats of 2D and 3D content (source asset) for computer games in the format created by the artists' authoring tool. The source asset is standardized and normalized and is stored as a strongly typed object in a content object model. An object from the content object model can be deserialized to a file for debugging. The object can be converted to a managed object to which game code can be written. An executable object is generated from the object created during game development automatically.

Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed that allow for the communication between closed computing systems and other computing systems. Gaming consoles, for instance, can use the present mechanisms to communicate with PCs, especially when unsigned content is sent from the PCs to the gaming consoles. The disclosed communication mechanism can have multiple channels to send information (which may include code and/or data associated with the unsigned content) from the PCs to the gaming consoles. Such information may be distributed over several channels on the communication mechanism. For instance, the communication mechanism can first send a subset of a set of information from a computing system to a closed computing system. Then, depending on the closed system resources, the remaining set of information can be sent to the closed system.

Abstract: A technique for converting XML code to a binary format involves identifying code elements that appear in the XML code and storing them in an element palette. The XML code is then encoded by selecting predefined commands that represent the XML text-based instructions and associating the predefined commands with references to corresponding code elements in the element palette. The commands and associated references form fixed-length tokens that can be further compressed. During conversion, data is extracted and stored in an uncompressed format. The conversion produces a binary output that contains the element palette, the data, and the tokens (compressed or uncompressed). When the binary form of the XML code is loaded for execution, the tokens are decoded into instructions that operate on the elements referenced in the element palette.

Abstract: Various technologies for visualizing a multi-dimensional view object in a two-dimensional format are described. In accordance with one described embodiment, an interface for visualizing a multi-dimensional view object in two dimensions includes a surface selection tree panel, a view object information panel, and a visualization panel. The surface selection tree panel displays a surface selection tree associated with the multi-dimensional view object. A number of other surface selection trees associated with the multi-dimensional view object also exist and can be displayed if selected. The surface selection trees include one or more surfaces associated with the multi-dimensional view object. The view object information panel complements the surface selection tree panel by displaying information associated with the multi-dimensional view object.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed relating to providing a pixel history for a graphics application. During rendering of a visual representation, such as a computer game or visual simulation, a developer or other user may observe a rendering error, e.g., with respect to a rendered pixel, or may wish to optimize or understand an operation of the visual representation. The developer may select the pixel and be provided with a browsable pixel history window that shows a temporal, sequential order of events associated with the rendering of the selected pixel. The events may include calls from the graphics application to an associated graphics interface, and information about the calls may include asset data associated with the calls as well as primitives associated with the calls.

Abstract: A technique for converting XML code to a binary format involves identifying code elements that appear in the XML code and storing them in an element palette. The XML code is then encoded by selecting predefined commands that represent the XML text-based instructions and associating the predefined commands with references to corresponding code elements in the element palette. The commands and associated references form fixed-length tokens that can be further compressed. During conversion, data is extracted and stored in an uncompressed format. The conversion produces a binary output that contains the element palette, the data, and the tokens (compressed or uncompressed). When the binary form of the XML code is loaded for execution, the tokens are decoded into instructions that operate on the elements referenced in the element palette.