#NT, 3ds, and DEC Alpha
16 messages in this thread
I guess I was just naive, but I thought that if 3DS went to NT, it would work
on any system running NT. The DEC Alpha specifically. Is that not true? I
was considering purchasing a DEC Alpha set up with NT because 3DS was moving in
that direction. However, if it will not work on the DEC, then I need to
rethink my intent. Can anyone offer insight into this?
DEC's systems are using "industry standard PC components", (at least the one I
was considering) and have the "fastest CPU on the Planet". I believe they will
be announcing their fastest CPU yet this month at a show in San Francisco. ( I
thought I heard them say 366Mhz).
Any comments are welcome.
Thanks,
Dennis
There is still called something an "CPU instruction set", even under NT <g>.
Theoretically, an application written for NT should be relatively easy to port
across machine types (due to the standarized OS interface calls), but it still
needs to be recompiled, tweaked, and tested. I'm not sure if MicroSoft C++
(the compiler apparently used for 3ds NT) is even available for non-Intel CPUs.
LAM
Correction, we just used the Microsoft Compiler for DEC ALPHA, it is available,
did not take much tweaking, but you must purchase DEC Alpha of MS C++ compiler,
selling price $699.00.
We manufacture video disk recorders for recording animation and layoff to
video. Our disks are uncompressed.
ajm
>> We manufacture video disk recorders for recording animation and layoff to
video… <<
I'm sure alot of people would be interested in knowing more about your product,
company name etc… If you'd like you could post a description in the Info
library or hardware section. I'd be most interested.
John
Larry;
>> There is still called something an "CPU instruction set", even under
>> NT <g>.
Thanks for helping me understand why this could be a problem. So, what I
really need, is input from Autodesk on whether the DEC Alpha is to be included
as an NT capable CPU for 3DS and/or Autocad.
Any comments from Bob Bennett maybe?
Or can the Yost group say anything?
Thanks,
Dennis Fenske
Hi Dennis,
<< So, what I really need, is input from Autodesk on whether the DEC Alpha is
to be included as an NT capable CPU for 3DS and/or Autocad. >>
I can't speak for ACAD, that question is best asked in the "Go ACAD" forum.
<< DEC Alpha is to be included as an NT capable CPU for 3DS?..>>
I'm sorry Dennis, but I'll have to answer your question regarding 3DS with a
"please come visit our boot at Siggraph for any addition details or stayed
tuned here during the week of Siggraph." 🙁
jonas[adesk]
Jonas;
>> "please come visit our boot at Siggraph
I will look forward to meeting you there. It will be nice to put a face and
name together.
Dennis
I Like the name . . .
On the question of 3dS r5 and NT Alphas, the Yost Group reps have been
repeatedly asked this question over the past few months, and they have answered
. . . .
NO COMMENT.
Oh well, let's wait and see. We can always hope.
BTW, I don't know how old you are, but when I was growing up, "Dennis the
Menace" was a regular feature on network TV, and my friends incessantly tried
to tease me about it (to no avail). However, it did have an effect in defining
my personal attitudes towards my own identity. Did you share in this
experience?
Dennis,
I got a reply from the Yost group that was definately not NO COMMENT.
The actual comment was that "we are looking into an Alpha version; thanks for
your use of Autodesk products."
This was from autodesk.com…
Brad
While this is NOT a "NO COMMENT", it's a far cry from a commitment for an
immediate release. I can't recommend purchases to my clients based on the warm
fuzzy feeling I get when I think about Gary Y. and his troops.
Dennis:
I certainly agree, and hope my previous message didn't lead anything to believe
I was convinced. I've seen Autodesk do weird things in my life, and I don't
expect them to change much. I'm just hoping.
After all, I beta tested Release 12 for NT…just be glad you never saw it (you
would have switched to Microstation!)
Brad
Keep in mind that we are referring to two different entities here –
one being ADESK, and the other being Yost Group. I appreciate the
things that Gary Y. and his crew have accomplished, and look forward
to bigger and better apps under 3dS.
Hi Dennis,
You may have already heard this, but R13/NT is available for the DEC Alpha.
You may not have heard that ELSA supports the DEC Alpha under NT. At A/E/C
Systems in Atlanta we showed the new AutoCAD running on a Dual screen Alpha
workstation.
Sincerely,
Tom
Tom;
>> but R13/NT is available for the DEC Alpha.
I hadn't heard this. That is good news.
>> You may not have heard that ELSA supports the DEC Alpha under NT.
I am not familiar with ELSA. Could you elaborate?
Thanks,
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
ELSA produces the WINNER family of graphic controllers. Our boards range from
entry level controllers to high-end 3D accelerated graphic controllers. We
produce all of our own drivers, both for CAD products as well as for windowed
operating systems like Windows 3.1/NT/95, OS/2 Warp, NextStep, etc. We also
support multiple hardware platforms including DEC's ALPHA.
For AutoCAD we have our DOS ELSAicon driver and our Windows POWERdraft for
AutoCAD driver. Both are full featured drivers with direct hardware support
for the maximum performance. In fact we provide almost identical performance
under R13 for Windows NT as under R13 for DOS!
POWERdraft for AutoCAD for Windows/NT is for Intel platforms.
DEC Alpha support includes NT drivers for DEC Alpha's, OpenGL support, 3D
hardware acceleration with our GLoria graphics controller, and even dual screen
Windows NT support.
There are two files in the libraries that you can download. The first is
called WINNER.TXT (here and GO ACAD) and it describes ELSA's different product
offerings. The second is PDRA_U.ZIP (GO ACAD) and it is a Windows help file
that tells you about our POWERdraft for AutoCAD driver.
You should also feel free to call us at 800-272-ELSA for additional
information.
I hope that helps.
Sincerely,
Tom
Tom – Yes, I was aware of NT being available for the Alpha, but just the fact
that the operating system is available doesn't necessarily mean that the
software can run on that particular platform and support all of the features
that it has to offer. I believe that the thrust of this thread was – "Will 3dS
r5 run on the Alpha AND support multi-processing?" From what comments I have
seen on this forum, the answer to that question has not been definitely
resolved.