CompuServe Messages

<<Our SGI boxes with software averages $90,000 a box. I figure that's One main Pentium with a Vista and 3DS/IPAS/etc., and a render farm of 12-14 Pentiums. Now do you think it's competitive?>> I'm still not sure. I think things depend on the software:it's power of modeling, animation tools, rendering abilities, and speed. Also, the length vs. complexity of projects and volume of projects is a factor. There are some things that SGI's have in tools that a rendering farm with 3DS can't do right now. (Soon- hopefully) The ease of accomplishing a task may be much greater on a SGI than on 3DS. That one $90000 box has all of it's resources available all the time, not just in rendering. I think that more powerful tools might be worth the extra rendering time that the SGI might have over a 15 pentium rendering farm, or any dedicated render machine. Render time is unmanned time, even sleep time. (But, yes, still important.) On a 3DS setup, you might spend more of that time pushing verts around because you don't have a powerful enough widget. But, on the other hand, the multiple machine farm can be run by more people ($), or used rendering on only 14 of them, with the other main one working on another project. (if another version of 3DS is purchased to run the net.) I guess I'm wondering what, in practice and from reflection of actual work, is better? I understand the numbers and math part, but I think there is more to the equation. Right now, does 3DS have the power to do the things SGI systems do? Or at least enough to spend half the SGI system cost, and end up with at least half the power? Not cpu, processing power, but productivity/product power. I'm talking about good sized projects too, no little flying logos here. I'm interested in peoples experiences, and reflections on this. I could be blind, but I don't see Hollywood, or others flocking to this setup. I do know that SeaQuest and Babylon 5 are using mass toasters, but I'm not sure on what they really do with it. Unfortunately, I haven't seen SQ. enough to see the application. I am looking forward to Babylon 5, and all of it's graphics. The pilot looked good, with all the ships, etc. Anyone out there using 3DS for T2/Jurassic type, natural motion animation? (I did see "Call waiting" on the demo tape, and that was neat.) Thanks Paul, I hadn't thought of the numbers.. they are a good stimulant for thought. I'm not sure when I'll have $90,000 in my hands to plop down on anything… I don't even buy lottery tickets.:-) Even so, it is good to consider.