#Networking? HW Sizes?
5 messages in this thread
Hi All/Autodesk
On P22-23 in r3/4 Users Guide in relation to Networking Hardware requirements
it says "all systems should have the same anout of RAM…" Well I have a DX4
with 32 megs a 66 with 16 megs and I'm planning on a P100 with 32 megs, will
this case me problems? I wish to use Novell as my network software, (Is this
a wise choice?). And will the machines different speeds and technology
(PCI/Vesa) also case untold hassle. It also states in the same chapter that
the file server will have to have massive HD capacity, I was planning on 1
GIG, (I reneder 256 flcs not targa's) will this be enough? Any help on this
purchasing desicions would be helpful, My dealer is also working on the
problem for me
Greg 🙂
Greg:
/_______________________From your message________________________\\
"all systems should have the same anout of RAM…"
__________________________________________________________________
As long as you understand what pitfalls may be in store this isn't as big a
problem as the manual might appear to suggest. Your computers with 16 megs of
RAM will swap to disk sooner than the ones with 32 MB, not the end of the
world. However, if you use large shadow maps and lots of texture maps you may
get to the point where your 16 mb machine doesn't have enough RAM to even load
all of these bitmap files to do the rendering, IOW, your machine will crash.
On the bright side, I have only had this occur with machines with 8 MB.
/_______________________From your message________________________\\
I wish to use Novell as my network software, (Is this a wise choice?).
__________________________________________________________________
I use Novell, works fine.
/_______________________From your message________________________\\
And will the machines different speeds and technology (PCI/Vesa) also case
untold hassle.
__________________________________________________________________
Nope, just render times will vary a bit.
/_______________________From your message________________________\\
I was planning on 1 GIG, (I reneder 256 flcs not targa's) will this be
enough? __________________________________________________________________
OOPS! Net-rendering cannot create a flic file in one shot, you must first
create individual sequential bitmap files (.tga's will do) or render your flic
files in segments with each segment rendered on a dedicated machine. Once you
have individual
tga's you could composite them into a flic by using an IFL file. A 1 GB drive
is not a lot of space, you'll have to do some calculations to see if this can
fit the bill for you.
I would highly recommend downloading the library file "Confessions of a Network
Renderer." Best of luck in your purchases, looks like you're making most of
the right moves. Posting the question here on the forum was a superior move as
you'll probably get all kinds of help.
Bob
Bob
Thanks for the help, I have been told to invest in an extra 16meg for the
other machine, as for the TGA's into flic problem hopefully when I purchase
"studio" this will save the problem as I can join TGA's (1 GIG's) worth,
together for down loading through a targa card to U-mat (yep, I've decided to
go whole hog on the expenditure, and cough up for a targa card and D.A.T.
machine for storage)
One more question do you use a Targa Card or PCA, my dealer and several other
users have pointed me at digimations PCA device in stead of a targa card do you
use either, As far as my limited knowledge goes I understand that PCA devices
do not have the same quality as a Frame by Frame targa card is this true and
what do you use, Anyones comments on Frame-by Frame verses PCA is welcome
Thanx Greg 🙂
Hi Greg-
PMJI – I know I'm coming late to this thread, but being a relative newcomer to
3DS I'm finding your questions similar to many I've recently had.
Robert got you some good info. What caught my eye was the Targa board
discussion. Are you planning to go to the U-matic frame by frame? The reason
I ask is that I have a Targa+64 that I play flics through and what I've
discovered is that 640×480 flics (especially animations that have a lot of
pixels changing from frame to frame – like an architectural walkthrough) tear
and just dont play very fast, even when loaded in a RAM player like AniPro. 24
bit targas into something like the PAR board are really the way to go to
acheive the clarity, color,and animation control that 3DS is capable of.
Unless, of course (very big grin), you are making flics specifically for some
computer play back animation applications. Like I say, I don't really know
your applications, but if you are new to 3DS I'd recommend your making some
flics first and seeing if the flic format is really good enough for you.
If you plan on single frame animation with the U-matic I'm wondering why you've
chosen it instead of something like the PAR.
Carlton (having a blast with 3DS)
Greg:
The expense in going to frame by frame to a U-matic would not be worth it to me
both in money spent and time spent in producing a video tape. Carlton offered
the same advice I would offer, the PAR. Check out the FAQ in the library on the
new DPS PVR which will soon replace the PAR. O.K. I feel stupid, what is a
PCA? Before you dump a ton of money into a frame accurate solution it would be
worth checking out a tape from the folks at DPS.
Bob