CompuServe Thread

#Raptor Testimonials

52 messages in this thread
#84467From: Martin FanningJun 14, 1994 2:31 PM
Guys, I am creating a Raptor brochure and would like to use testimonials as oppossed to standard benchmarks. Because times have varied so incredibly among users, I thought that I would take real world circumstances from independant sources and use them in the brochure in lieu of boring benchmarks that we create. With that in mind, I would like to get some responses from you folks out there (Hollywood guys included). If you are willing to do the testing, I will credit you and your company name in the brochure and make sure that you get a mint condition copy of it. Please hurry, as I am hoping to get this thing out to print in the next week or so. Please include a brief description of the frame, the type of Amiga that you rendered it on, and obviously the times generated from each of the machines. Also, DeskStation would like to use some of the tape that you have created in a presentation that we are doing for Siggraph. If this is possible, please let me know as well. Thanks in addvance for the help with these and thank you for generating so much interest for our product in this forum. Rapping about the Raptor Martin
#84540From: Leo HurtadoJun 15, 1994 10:43 PM
Martin, Congratulations on a fine product. I would be very glad to appear on your brochure commenting about the Raptor. I am extremely pleased with its performance. You can read a past thread about things I've said about it, mainly: Frame #114 of a 1500+ animation took a little over 64 hours to render without the Raptor; however, once we rendered the frame with the same settings as before, with the Raptor connected, it only took 41 Minutes total. We have been using it everyday since our videos are 85% animation on the average, and we usually work in hi-res at that. We are working on a project that involves so much rendering we are planning on purchasing one, maybe two more Raptors within the next month or so. We are very pleased to have made that move, believe me! Congratulations again. POlo
#84553From: Erik FlomJun 16, 1994 12:38 AM
PMFJI, but I would _very_ much like to see what kind of base machine you were using to get these dramatic Raptor rendering times. Were you _actually_ using a 68040 processor clocked at 25MHz or higher? How much RAM did you have? Etc? Frankly, I have _NEVER_ seen _any_ claims to speed improvements like you are citing. If you were using a 4000/030, I might expect to see an improvement like that, but any self-respecting 25MHz 040 _should_ run at about 1/11th the speed of a Raptor. If you would be willing to upload your scene file (and attendant object/images), I would gladly render it on several 040 machines of known performance. Please don't take offense at my questions. I just want to make sure that DeskStation doesn't end up making claims it could never live up to. Keep On Toastin' Erik Flom – ELF Works 3D Construction Co.
#84575From: Don PetersonJun 16, 1994 3:00 PM
Erik, >>>Please don't take offense at my questions. I just want to make sure that DeskStation doesn't end up making claims it could never live up to.<<< Please don't take offense to my comment Erik but….. …..if the man saw the increase in performance it's what he saw. We've already lived up to HIS expectations. Of course if we haven't lived up to your's yet that's too bad. But if what you're questioning is Mr. Hurtado's credibility that's another issue. DeskStation has NO INTENTION of making any claims a CUSTOMER is unwilling to make. But, if the customer is willing to provide the testimonial so what's it to you? I can see you're only trying to protect us from our greedy, self-indulging selves and trust me, I appreciate it. But as you WELL KNOW, we have never claimed the kinds of improvements Leo has seen and others whom I repsect a great deal, like Brent Melnack, will confirm that what Leo saw was way out there. But he saw what he saw. Jeez, you've already got Adib sending you stuff so that you can confirm his results. Through Adib you've already proven on one scene that the Raptor is little more than 3-4 times faster than your Amiga/Toaster set-up. What now? Are you now the renderer policeman? Are you going to ask everybody to submit there stuff to you so that you can confirm that neither they nor DeskStation is lying about it? Maybe you're used to dealing with those kinds of people in the awe-inspiring Amiga world and feel compelled to protect your Amiga bretheren from us alien computer companies. I hope for their sake you fail miserably!!! You want to question what it is a user saw? Fine! But he certainly doesn't have to justify to YOU what he saw, why he saw it or how he feels about what he saw!!!! And IF we choose to use his testimonial its his word that's subject to question not ours. I've already said in a previuous posting to Mr. Hurtado that I thought what he saw in the way of improvement was way, way high. Why don't you start a magazine, hire some technicians, get the vendors of various peices of hardware and software to GIVE that stuff to you and you and your team can go do independent reviews and report them to your readers. And if people get results in the real world other than what you report you could always just tell them how stupid they are on how out of date their equipment is and if only they let YOU show them they might get more realistic results. I bet you'd sell tons a subscriptions. Mr. Hurtado must be doin' okay for himself and his company since he CAN afford one Raptor and maybe more. Others who only dream of having the money to own such a thing might find it self-serving to be sour grapes about it. I feel sorry for those kinds of folks. Don
#84579From: Erik FlomJun 16, 1994 4:07 PM
My, my we're a little touchy, aren't we? :^) Go ahead and print those claims if you want. I just want to know what machine he was using…… Didn't mean to bash your baby too badly. :^) (BTW, this isn't the way to sell _me_ on your product.) (Go ahead, bash me again. :^) Keep On Toastin' Erik Flom – ELF Works 3D Construction Co.
#84639From: Leo HurtadoJun 17, 1994 9:06 PM
Don, I replied to Erik's comment before I saw yours, and I'm happy to say that I see you _DO_ believe what I said. I hope Erik was not trying to burn me and DeskStation Tech, because I _DO NOT LIE_! Erik, go get yourself a Raptor! Sh?t! I'll even rent you mine for crying out loud! Can't you just be happy from a 3D artist point of view in that now we have something affordable that works great!?? Don: E-mail me and we'll talk about the testimonial.
#84641From: Erik FlomJun 17, 1994 9:56 PM
Forget it. After getting treated like 'Sh?t' (to paraphrase your previous comments) by the 'famous' Don Peterson, I'd never buy from their company. As for your reported acceleration – Great! I _really_ am _truly_ happy for you. I would never accuse you of lying, but obviously, you & Don haven't spent much time in CyberSpace. I _never_ meant to imply that you or DeskStation would be dishonest. (Maybe confused, but not dishonest. :^) I see from a previous response (which was lost because I wasn't on AP at the time) that you are indeed using a stock 4000/040. While I still find these results amazing, I _BELIEVE_ you. _ALL_ I ever wanted to know was what the comparison base was. While it is unfortunate that you can't divulge the exact scene, hopefullly you will be able to pass that information on to someone like John Gross, so they can make the Raptor really shine. Much as I would like to continue to say good things about the Raptor, I cannot do so in good conscience. If this is what they do to someone who questions their baby, I'd much rather have nothing to do with them. It may be a great black box, but my machine runs an AVERAGE of 1/4 the speed of a Raptor (as Don so bitterly pointed out) They may think they've got the cat's meow, but it appears they may have another think coming. It's too bad that Don Peterson has been such an a$$ about this. I _WAS_ thinking about buying one of their machines. Not now. Keep On Toastin' Erik Flom – ELF Works 3D Construction Co.
#84697From: Leo HurtadoJun 18, 1994 11:57 PM
Erik, That's too bad, I think you're missing out on a good thing. As far as _I'm_ concerned, there is no grudge here, and I now believe you believe in what I said. The way it was written was somehow misleading however, so I wanted to make the point clear, which is: It really happened. Anyway, I've been long enough out here to realize when there has been a misunderstanding on both sides, and I for one, want to forget about it and get to talk in a forum like the adults we all are. POlo
#84707From: glen millerJun 19, 1994 12:43 AM
Eric, Someone walks in and says, we'll pay you $60,000 for a single thirty second spot, but we need it by Friday….and this is Monday….and your only hope is the Raptor…as a good SGI Wavefront/Softimage combo is $35,000 minimum…then… I don't want to be the great piecemaker, but lets all shake hands! MAn, I really would like to know if such speed is possible for the money, and how to get it rather than see two guys beating the living #$&! outta each other! GM (the friendly)
#84706From: glen millerJun 19, 1994 12:36 AM
Down Don…down Don! Hey, wipe the sweat off your brow! Just kidding! GM
#84747From: Don PetersonJun 19, 1994 10:14 PM
Your poimt is well taken. As for Erik, I think he just wanted to convey his good wishes in his own initmitable way. Frankly, the only thing I care about is that the users of the Raptor feel they got what they paid for. I've said before, that the Raptor is as close an approximation to the Screamer as we thought we could reliably ship. It's not a Cray and its not an Onyx. It just allows LW3D users to maybe do some things they couldn't justify doing before. No one has DeskStation to thank for the Raptor, you all have Newtek to thank. When we introduce the "next thing" at Siggraph and assuming you like it, then you can start thanking us. I have tried on this forum to be up-front and straight about our approach to this market. I just have a low tolerance for those who have never tried it and attempt to impune its value in the face of those who have. don
#84794From: Leo HurtadoJun 20, 1994 10:58 PM
Don, What is this 'next thing' you're talking about? Would I be making a mistake getting another Raptor now? Should I wait? POlo
#84812From: Don PetersonJun 21, 1994 8:49 AM
Never wait. Our technology moves so quickly that waiting for the next thing could become a full-time activity and then you'd never get the product. We will offer upgrades from the current Raptor to the "next thing." You won't be left behind nor will your system become obsolete. At some point we may have to break with the past and then its just a matter of you deciding how long you're willing to wait for the "next next thing' that we might do. don
#84818From: BRENT W. MALNACKJun 21, 1994 10:28 AM
Leo, Ahhh, the waiting game. It is always hard to make decisions on technology that require a significant investment. I have to applaud both NewTek and Deskstation for getting a solution to the market that fills an important need. The bottom line with the Raptor/ScreamerNet combo is that it significantly reduces rendering times, is now quite stable, and can be purchased today. The other system announced from US Cybernetics will likely not make it to market with any support from NewTek, or anyone else for that matter. A Raptor can be paid for with a few big projects…. Brent
#84995From: Leo HurtadoJun 23, 1994 10:38 PM
Brent, Yeah, don't I know it… We are in the process of getting our video decks changed from S to BetaSP, and we'll be getting another Raptor soon. I am waiting for what Deskstation has to say at SIGGRAPH though. Would you happen to know which conferences will be given this year? POlo
#85031From: BRENT W. MALNACKJun 24, 1994 2:33 PM
Leo, I will dig up my handbook and post some info this weekend….. Brent
#85046From: Leo HurtadoJun 24, 1994 9:18 PM
Brent, I appreciate your time, thank you. POlo
#85054From: ASDGJun 24, 1994 10:40 PM
As for Raptor testimonials, we have a Raptor II and find it to be an excellent piece of equipment. I am not at liberty to discuss what we're doing with it right now, but I can say that those DeskStation guys make a great box.
#85115From: glen millerJun 26, 1994 12:29 AM
I was told the Warp system used transputer chips…now IF the Raptor had those!! So far, I do see a need for ScreamerNet to pay attention to what rendering is being finished! Sometimes, a CPU just sits around waiting for a frame to finish! Any info? GM
#85124From: John GrossJun 26, 1994 1:41 AM
Glen, If you are running in Manual or Automatic mode, one CPU can finish its segment before the other does depending on how the scene is set up. That's why Independant is the rendering method of choice as CPU's are always working… JG
#85770From: glen millerJul 4, 1994 9:02 PM
John, But wouldn't it still be nice if the screen was set up into 4 segments allowing both CPUs to work on the same frame…and also be frame independant…???? But then, I guess that you would still see the same rendering time, huh? I would like to add a large harddrive to the Raptor and save to it! Speed up a little more…just a little! GM
#85205From: Don PetersonJun 27, 1994 3:18 PM
>>>I was told the Warp system used transputer chips…now IF the Raptor had those!!<<< What do you know about the Transputer that I don't know? Personally I would have made the comment, "too bad the warp engine doesn't have MIPS chips on them." And I would add, "too bad the warp engine isn't shipping yet," and "too bad they've reveresed engineered enough of LW3D to get the warp engine to suck in frames and render them." My understanding of these little warped engines is that they are 25-30 MIPS each, whatever that means, and that each CPU has its own memory. That means that with four processors you get 120MIPS, whatever that means, and each processor should require at least 32MB of memory; at $40 per megabyte that come out to over $5000 just for the memory. I hear these CPU boards were about $1995 each. That another $8000. Jeez, when you add it all up you get something thats almost as fast as a Raptor, cost almost as much, is almost shipping and is almost illegal. I'd say that's a pretty good deal, wouldn't you? 🙂 Don
#85226From: Adib NasleJun 27, 1994 8:44 PM
>>when you add it all up you get something thats almost as fast as a Raptor, cost almost as much, is almost shipping and is almost illegal<< Well, they do have nice full page ads – even though they have no product! The same is true of this Newton Physics program which they pull full page ads on. But when you call them (Cybernetics- kind of like Cybergenics the revolutionary body building system that is a rip off) you get an answering machine – then someone who knows nothing about anything calls you back and says he will ask the programers about "your questions" and that the product is in Beta testing and will be available in two weeks. Oh, he also mentions that once the product is released the price will go really high so you should put your money down now to reserve a spot. But when you start asking some specs and simple questions on the operation of the program you get nothing but phoney bologny, because the guy who called you back to answer your questions doesn't know the subject or the programs operation. In fact he admitted that they just sell products for Cybernetics (which he described as a bunch of programmers – who are not on site and not avaiable to me and you – and who come up with various tools for Lighwave. hmm Well its been about three weeks and still no product, no product literature, no product specifications – no nothing! Hate to be the fool who is going to throw away eight grand on a product that doesn't even exist and on a company whose link with its users is through an answering machine. I won't even get into the tech support issue and warranty repairs. But those ads do look good. How much is a full page 4 color ad in VTU $2,000-$3,000 dollars? Adib
#85774From: glen millerJul 4, 1994 9:14 PM
Don, I fell prey to a sales pitch! What I was told (and these aren't my words!!) was that the Warp system could outrun all the other types of processors because the transputer chips can "talk" to each other….that they would always be working on rendering, etc. I don't know??? My comment may have been one of those dumb brainless statements I am known for making! :} Hey, I like the Raptor! It kicks! Now, If we can just get the code down on the non-raytrace scenes…so that they are just as fast… Other than that small "want," and the fact I want two…I love it! GM
#85111From: glen millerJun 26, 1994 12:09 AM
Don, Hey, I understand, but, as I am sure someone once said, if you can't have a baby, then how does he know how it feels. I feel the Raptor is a super mo'chine! I hope the next unit is just as super! I for one still hope a 17" multi-sinc can be plugged up sometime, and I can leave the Amiga behind…I have turned into a Lightwaver…a former Amiga'er! Hey, we just gotta get everyone to try one of these guys! GM
#84636From: Leo HurtadoJun 17, 1994 9:01 PM
Erik, No offense taken. I am using an A4000/040, and it has 18MB RAM. It is hard for us to believe that improvement in speed, for the A4000 is not 'tweaked' in any way. I am sorry to tell you that I cannot upload the scene (body of evidence) because the work is for the company's presentation video and I hasn't been finished (obviously, since we just got the _intro_ scene rendered). This video needs some interviews and some more 3D to be finished. I will see if it is possible for me to upload it _after_ the video is done. I can't make any promises tho. If my 'claim' is bothering you in the sense that Desktop Tech might use it for advertising, then I'll ask them not to… I am definitely not making any false claims, tho. (not that you expressly think so, I hope.) I am here to say that the Raptor _is_ all it's cracked up to be, and that we will get one more in the very near future, maybe two. I stand on my claim: 64+ = 41 minutes FOR _MY_ PARTICULAR SCENE, _MY_ PARTICULAR OBJECTS, _MY_ PARTICULAR IMAGE FILES, _MY_ PARTICULAR CONFIGURATION AND MACHINES. I hope everyone else gets the results the Raptor has gotten me; however, as you say, I will not say myself that it will be like that for everyone's scenes, objects, renders, etc. POlo
#84725From: Grant BoucherJun 19, 1994 1:39 PM
A stock, untweaked, A4000 is about 1/2 the speed of a proper 25mhz 040 accelerator (progressive, excalibur, warp engine, gvp, etc.), so the scene would have probably taken closer to 30 hours to render on a benchmark 040. I personally don't count 33mhz or 40mhz 040 machines as standard, because there aren't enough of them, and we have to have SOME benchmark to base comparisons on. I have been running Raptor under my desk for many moons now, and have found that indeed the speed benchmarks vary depending on what kind of scene it renders. The 10-15 times mark is best for typical scenes. However, any scene with raytracing (shadows, reflection, refraction) or mongo z-buffering (100,000+ transparent polygons) does see even faster render times, because these are such math intensive operations. I have yet to see any scene render only 4 times faster on a raptor, but if someone were comparing benchmarks with a 40mhz 040, then that gets closer to realistic, if we are talking about only 1 R4400, but the Raptor has 2. The price performance between even 10 fully equipped 25mhz 040 with 32 or 64 mb ram each and 1 Raptor shoudl be obvious to everyone, just is ram prices alone!!! (320-640mb with the 040s versus 128mb on the Raptor) This is for everybody, not just Leo and Erik… Grant Boucher – Amblin Imaging "It's hard to believe grown-ups do this for a living."
#84547From: glen millerJun 15, 1994 11:10 PM
Hey, I would love to give my thanks to the Raptor…but I keep getting told that it is going to be the 21st of June before I get mine! UGGGG! Anyway, I can't wait, but hurry up! :} GM
#84785From: Adib NasleJun 20, 1994 8:56 PM
Glenn, you should have gotten your Raptor today. (ask me how I know – ESP?) Now that the dust has settled and the soldiers have gone home let me shed my $.02 worth in here. 1) I consider myself an honest person, and I will go on record to say that on average a person making typical scenes will see a 12X increase in speed with a Raptor. The simplest test to this testimonial is to load the Texture Samples scene and put a glass logo in front of it. Turn on Refraction, Reflection and Shadowing and SEE the difference – an honest to God 12X increase over a 4000 040 2) The 4X increase on the Bowling Ball scene I rendered which Erik had uploaded was 4X FASTER THAN HIS ACCELERATED 40Mhz GVP Amiga NOT a stock 040. Please reread my messages to him in order to avoid confusion and false claims. 3) Erik can speak for himself, but I believe he was just trying to assess Exactly how fast the Raptor is – and as the acceleration can sway drastically based on the level of mathematical calculations – no one can say Exactly how fast the Raptor is every time. It's like cars – a Supra Turbo can go 0-60 in 4.6 seconds in Automobile Magazine but 5.3 Seconds when Sports Car International drives the same car (the difference in the case of the Supra was the outside ambient temperature which was lower when tested by Automobile Magazine and the denser air provided more HP for their particular test). 4) I think we should not be obsessed with numbers as they are only one variable. Even if a Raptor is only 8X faster on a particular animation, think of the fact that a job that would take 8 DAYS will now take 1 DAY. I don't care who you are – that is a lot of days to do more work! Unless your time is worthless, then I do not think that this can be ignored. 5) The ability to deliver work on time to clients is the only way for LW users to compete with SoftImage and SGI users who can crank out 3D work. This time savings will also allow most animator to underbid the SGI people as you will be able to do at least 12X as much work in the same amount of time you were doing only one job perviously. 6) I have found Don Peterson and Deskstation to be totally upfront. They had my money for quite some time (and probably long before any of you on the forum) while I was waiting for my machine. Their honesty, and sincerity was the only reason that I forwarded a check to them sight unseen, company unkown, product untested, and only their word for what they were going to send me. I am pleased to say that they have delivered on their promise and more. They are courteous and answer phone calls when you have questions and you won't get put on permanent hold like with Newtek Tech Support. 7) It sounded like emotions got a little out of hand here on Friday and I think it would be a mistake for animators and hardware providers to act in this manner. We both need each other and should strive towards a mutually beneficial relationship. Lets face it without LW users, Deskstation would not have entered the Amiga market, and without Deskstation, LW animators would have to wait weeks to see their work. And as not too many of us have the backing of Steven Spieldberg, I don't think you would have seen too many animators with 20+ A4000's networked (especially not at $6,000 a pop! and Commodore going bust). Again, just my opinion. Adib
#84793From: Don PetersonJun 20, 1994 10:31 PM
Thanks Adib. I think you have established the appropriate tone for what it is the Raptor embodies. Everyone will see different things depending on their perspective and we welcome comments on all of the claims anyone desires to make. DeskStation is extremely pleased to be a part of this exciting market and sincerely hope that all of our customers enjoy success with their use of our products. Yes, emotions did get out of hand last week and I want to sincerely apologize to those of you who found my rantings less than professional. Perhaps I over reacted to Erik's view and perhaps I went on far longer than was necessary. My hope was that by driving our stake in the ground we could at least expect civility when dealing with the wide distribution of rendering results achieved by every Raptor user. It is IMPOSSIBLE for vendors to respond to unfounded claims and objections about our products and we can not be expected to please all of the people all of the time. Yet, we are often held up to a harsher light of scrutiny because we are not of an Amiga heritage. We have tried to deal with that scrutiny in a even and professional manner. I told all of you on the first posting I ever left here that you will not always agree with what we say but that you could come to expect the truth from us and a straight-forward means of dealing with issues. As we get ready to announce are next foray into the desk top video market come Siggraph I want to thank EVERY one of you for your patience, faith and forth-right feedback. What you will see from us at Siggraph will be a new way to look at how desk top video effects and animation can be created using state-of-the-art technology that is deployed in a simple and affordable manner. But I will save the best news for our coming-out event the Monday prior to the start of Siggraph. Those of you who would like to attend should call our office at (913) 599-1900 and asked to be placed on the invitation list. The event will be closed to the general public so that we can invite the press and others to an event where a great deal of information will be delivered. Thanks again Adib for your support and kind words. Don
#84795From: Leo HurtadoJun 20, 1994 11:04 PM
Don, Adib, Erik, Amen to all that has been talked about. My apologies to you Erik, if I sounded a little 'touchy' last week, it just sounded like my credibility was put on the line. POlo
#85049From: Erik FlomJun 24, 1994 9:53 PM
Leo: Just got back from a funural, so I've been out of it for the last week, but I wanted to reassure you that I never meant to accuse you of lying. (I'm just a nut about numbers, what can I say? :^) Thanks for clarifying my somewhat muddled impressions. Keep On Toastin' Erik Flom – ELF Works 3D Construction Co.
#85158From: Leo HurtadoJun 26, 1994 7:17 PM
Erik, Welcome back, man. I like numbers too. Say, you going to SIGGRAPH? POlo
#85175From: Erik FlomJun 27, 1994 1:39 AM
Alas, I won't be making back to the east coast (again) for SIGGRAPH. (The unexpected trip to MN last week kind of threw things into disarray….) Hope you're havin' fun with yer Raptor? (_I'm_ jealous! :^) Thanks, & Keep On Toastin' Erik Flom – ELF Works 3D Construction Co.
#85231From: Leo HurtadoJun 27, 1994 10:30 PM
Fun it is… This is my first time to SIGGRAPH, what should I expect? POlo
#85245From: Erik FlomJun 28, 1994 2:08 AM
Last time was my first time, and it was for the announcement of the (vapor) Screamer. It's big, and people do lots of schmoozing. Beyond that, I found out more on the nets. Keep On Toastin' Erik Flom – ELF Works 3D Construction Co.
#84851From: Adib NasleJun 21, 1994 8:10 PM
Well said. I'll call and ask to be put on the list tomorrow sometime. Adib
#84997From: Leo HurtadoJun 23, 1994 10:41 PM
Count me in as well: it's my first time at SIGGRAPH POlo
#85113From: glen millerJun 26, 1994 12:20 AM
ADIB, I agree. There are two main points in my book. The first, get the job done! On time! And make money so you can keep on doing what "you" love. Second, I don't want rendering time to be a thought of mine! That has been one of my main restrictions so far…and I don't ever want to have to think about that again (although I don't have real time yet! :} )! The raptor means one thing to me. It is a product that, like the Toaster, has given me the tools to do what I wouldn't otherwise be doing! Now, later on, when my obsession has grown to the type of job I desire ( AMBLIN, HIRE ME !) I might move on to higher end machines and programs…but I hope that what I have used thusfar follows me. God, It would be great to see LW on an SGI…or the Raptor II to have all the insides necessary to run LW with out a network or Amiga. But, over all, we should all remember that all of this stuff is supposed to be FUN! (Maybe it's cheesey, but I like a good cheese!) GM
#85156From: Adib NasleJun 26, 1994 6:02 PM
Glen, My thoughts exactly. You should love what you do, or else you will not be the best at it. The Raptor is one of those rare tools that allows you to do what you love and make money at it. You now have the turnaround time and the ability to experiments without the time penalty previously emposed on LW users. It would be awsome to see LW on a standalone Raptor, or SGI running LW. Although SGI hardware, in my opinion, is still very expensive. I would like to see a standalone Raptor with LW and 3D Studio running on it as each program can complement the other. Adib
#85772From: glen millerJul 4, 1994 9:07 PM
Adib, Yep! I want the SGI LW! Hey, it is still expensive, but through the University where I work, you can get the hardware for 61% of List. That is a great price for the units….still too much….but then, it's an SGI! And softimage don't do no runnin' on any other system!!! :} I like the Raptor! Now, I want another! Just a little faster! You know! GM
#85866From: Adib NasleJul 5, 1994 10:57 PM
I hear you! Don Peterson should put an ad together for the Raptor and all it needs is a rad picture of the beast and the tag line: LIKE A DRUG! – which in my opinion explains the Raptor experience quite nicely. Just for fun, a fake Surgeon General Warning should also be included, you know: "This product has been known to cause addiction in men and women when used in conjuntion with Lightwave." Adib
#85889From: Don PetersonJul 6, 1994 9:27 AM
I have to jump in here…. ….you guys are getting way out of hand. We make a simple computer system that is designed to make you more productive. From what I've seen so far, you guys are spending all of your new-found time sending each other silly messages and thinking up cute little things to say about the Raptor. I appreciate it, of course. But I want to see more and better output from you guys that one day leads you both to the stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to pick up your Oscar for that great animated feature you've produced. Now let's get with it. :-} Don
#86041From: glen millerJul 8, 1994 11:06 PM
DON, Hey, we talk during the short time it takes to render that Animated short that we are all working on! (AND I WILL WIN AN OSCAR!) Hey, we like the unit! AND DON"T WORRY, I'll send you a reel! I might even have this new piece done in time for SIGGRAPH! Bring a VHS! GM
#86197From: Martin FanningJul 12, 1994 10:24 AM
glen, We'd love to have your demo a couple of weeks prior to Siggraph if we could. We're trying to put together a tape of Raptor rendered sequences so that we can dazzle the folks that attend our press conference. If there is any way that you could send us a beta sp version of whatever you have now we would highlight it and obviously give you credit for your work. We would appreciate it tremedously. Best Regards, Martin Fanning DeskStation Technology, Inc.
#86298From: Bruce G. ConsidineJul 14, 1994 9:54 AM
Martin, I understand that DeskStation will have something going on in addition to your display at Siggraph. When will this be? Thanks, Bruce
#86330From: glen millerJul 14, 1994 11:38 PM
Martin, Well, it will be Monday, one week before the show before I can get you a reel! And then, only one or two segments would be "RAPTORED"! I'll get one off to you though! GM
#86063From: Adib NasleJul 9, 1994 2:06 PM
Don, Well, you know that I only write stuff on this forum while the Raptor is rendering :-). I just finished a job for a particular branch of the Department of Transportation and the Raptor was the only way I could have even concidered saying "Yes, I can do it", specially since it took a lot of trial and error. I am starting an ambitious project of putting together a 4 1/2 minute demo reel, and I hope to have it done by the end of August maybe sooner if I can take some time off from work (you know, my real job). >> I want to see more and better output from you guys that one day leads you both to the stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to pick up your Oscar for that great animated feature you've produced << I look forward to that day also! I still like my idea for the print ad. Adib
#86149From: Don PetersonJul 11, 1994 10:06 AM
So do I. Don
#86035From: glen millerJul 8, 1994 10:49 PM
Adib, I like it! We do need an ad! Word of mouth is good, but nothing replaces good advertising! (Of course, we'll all need to have our pictures in the ad! HAAAHHEEE ! :} GM
#86355From: Luke H MontgomeryJul 15, 1994 4:24 PM
Errm, PMFJI: RE: the surgon general Raptor warnings, how about: This product may case domestic tensions due to the time it can suck up…. Luke CompVid Graphic Servies
#86362From: Adib NasleJul 15, 1994 7:52 PM
Yeah, it would be a "timely" warning, specially in these days of domestic "awareness". Adib