#An introduction.
15 messages in this thread
Hello out there!
I have just joined this forum and thought I'd introduce myself. I am
Stephen Bailey, Director of Computer Animation for Image Dynamics, Inc.,
the largest all-Amiga production facility in Chicago.
Image Dynamics is a full-service creative facility. Our services include
writing, shooting, posting, computer graphics and cel animation.
I am most interested in sharing information about emerging PC solutions
for animators, including high-speed CPUs, hardware alternatives,
networking, software, etc.
I am also available to answer any Raptor-related questions. Our company
purchased one of the first units out of Deskstation. We have had months of
joy with it, as well as a few painful moments. 🙂
So, hello and goodbye.
Steve
S.G. Bailey
Image Dynamics, Inc.
Hi & Welcome Stephen!
I am looking at getting a Windows NT platform for two reasons, one to
network together all of my various clones and Amigas, and two for the
speed.
There seem to me to be at least three ways that I can go.
1) A Raptor product (which I consider to be like a DEC/MIPS Clone)
2) A DEC Alpha
3) A MIPS (whatever they may call their complete workstations)
4) A board like the Shablaam that puts MIPS processing power on a VESA
Local-Bus card for a clone.
I am leaning towards a DEC brand-name Alpha just because I think I might
have better support and future upgradeability from the company DEC than
from these "little" companies that are putting together solutions around
the DEC Microprocessor. The Shablaam board or something similar would be
my second choice because of the low starting price, just over $2k plus a
decent clone, but I feel that it might limit me in my need for
speed/ram/other goodies. I wonder about the Raptor people and how they
can compete with somebody like a DEC. I mean aren't they just buying the
components from DEC, putting them in their own box, and then marking them
up just one more time?
Anyway, the short of it is, If you were to go out and buy again today, do
you think you would go with a Raptor again or with some of the other
possibilities I have outlined?
Thanks for your input!
-John
John,
Speaking for myself, I'd have to agree with you on my own leanings toward
a DecAlpha workstation. Based on the latest rendering reports (from the
folks at Amblin), the CPU sounds like it really screams. I'd love to hear
some bad news about Windows NT that isn't purely personal (i.e. AmigaDOS
vs. Windows flames). I say this because Windows NT, though highly
configurable and therefore prone to more problems in setup, seems to be a
stable environment in which to work. But, I also have never really worked
in it, and know only what I read on the net, so far. The networking and
multi-processor support is perfect for rendering folks like myself. And
the CPU speed will boost productivity through the roof.
What do you mean when you talk of a DEC microprocessor vs. a DEC Alpha
chip? Does DEC make a lower-speed RISC chip, like a MIPS R4400?
I doubt that I would personally support us moving to another Deskstation
system at this time. The cost/power ratio is not as good. Nor is it very
cost-effective to upgrade our current Raptor (which is still running on
its original R4400 chips and not the newer, faster R4600). I'd like to
either keep it and continue rendering with it, or sell it and put proceeds
toward an additional workstation.
Again, this is my current opinion, subject to change at any moment much
like this crazy industry.
Steve
S.G. Bailey
Image Dynamics, Inc.
Stephen,
Thanks for your response. I appreciate the input as I really do hope to
make a decision along these lines soon.
Re: DEC Microprocessor vs. DEC ALPHA… Microprocessor would be the catch
all phrase, ALPHA is the particular Microprocessor that I was talking
about. Sorry for being unclear.
The cool thing about your Raptor purchase is that if/when you need more
speed (pant-pant-pant), you can _add_ whatever the heck you want… an
ALPHA based system, or MIPS, or Shablaam, or, whatever. ScreamerNet
currently supports 8 Windows NT based systems. Right now the rendering
engine only supports the MIPS architecture, but tomorrow… the world.
-John
Hi guys, not being a video person I came here to ask a few questions. I also
want to help where I can and so noted your thread. I am a consultant mostly on
IBM-PC systems with Amiga experiance. I just swithced from Windows for
Workgroups to Windows NT 3.5 Workstation editiion. This is the new NT that can
be server or workstation or both. I am very pleased with both the spead and
stability. It is much more stable than any previous Windows, and I;ve used
them all. Although I'm running on a single processor PCI-Pentium system, the
speed is as fast as ever and it multitask very well. I suspect with high power
systems like you guys are talking about the environment would be great for this
kinda stuff.
Just thought I'd add my $.02
Jack
Thanks, Jack. I'm pleased to hear how well NT is working out for you.
S.G. Bailey
Image Dynamics, Inc.
I'll second that opinion that WinNT is stable. It amazes me that I can run it
for weeks at a time, never having to reboot, even while doing software
development with events that normally crash or hang regular Windows.
Yes indeedy, If it had fax capability it would be perfect <g>. I'm also
looking forward to when I understand the components as well as I do WFWG,
system.ini, win.ini, and a host of others now replaced by a mysterious
registration database. Not complaining, it works much cleaner, but I do miss
the comfort of knowing theres nothing it could do to me that I could'nt
fix!….. Well worth it though.
Jack
I recently downloaded a WinNT faxing system from the Internet, but I haven't
tried it yet. I recently spent $200 on a new 28.8 modem, and was sad to see
that it didn't work under WinNT. I've got other fax modems on the WfW network,
I suppose I could link to one of those. (On other computers running straight
Windows.) You're right, there's something to be said for text INI files.
The January Issue of Windows Magazine has the first "good" review of Windows NT
I have seen in the trade mags. While they point out some problems, their
overall impression was very positive, unlike almost everything else I've been
reading. They stress its hardware compatibility, which is approaching that of
16-bit Windows 3.1 and WFWG. However, it's still a good idea to triple-check
both HW & SW compatibility before committing.
Personally, I intend to migrate when 32-bit versions of my favorite apps
appear, like Corel, PhotoShop, Fractal, Director, Astound, etc.
Good luck!
Sid,
Thanks for the reply. I just got my hands on a DEC Alpha machine running
windows NT at a demo. They had Black Belt System's WinImage software
running on it, as well as Screamernet. No Toaster nearby to send it any
frames, though.
The OS seemed very snappy and quick. Applications appeared ready to use on
a blink. It was very impressive. And amazing to see time indicator bars
zipping along while operating on images using WinImage. A five-minute
image process on our A3000T took about 20 seconds on the DEC Alpha. I was
impressed, to say the least.
Now, in the back of my head, I hear a little voice crying out for a Dec
Alpha system for X-Mas. 🙂
S.G. Bailey
Image Dynamics, Inc.
RE: 32-bit applications
Be aware that all '32-bit native' applications are not created equal.
While simply recompiling with a 32-bit compiler can enhance
performance, if the programmer's don't spend a considerable amount of
time reconsidering their architecture and rewrite code explicitly for
Win32 then the result won't take much advantage of many 32-bit
features. I've encountered more than one such application and the
performance of the 32-bit version wasn't in any way significantly
improved over the 16-bit.
Patrick:
Thanks much for the tip. Yes, I've run into this with OS/2 apps, back when I
was an OS/2 evangelist within our company. Unfortunately, we could not convince
our HW/SW suppliers to adequately support OS/2. I still believe it is the best
desktop OS around, but I finally had to capitulate to Windoze. I'm not knocking
Mickey$oft or their software, but OS/2 apps running on 100% compatible OS/2
hardware blows Win apps away.
But you get tired of seeing all the really good stuff go Windoze and pass you
by, so I caved in. Besides, 100% of the delivery platforms I will be developing
for are Windoze machines, so despite its shortcomings I really had no viable
alternatives. When Win95 comes out we'll see a ton of recompiled but
unoptimized apps for it. I mean, hardly anyone takes full advantage of Win32
now, so I guess we can't expect them to re-craft their code for Win95 anytime
soon, right?
As I find really good 32-bit code I'll share my results with the forum. And I
look forward to hearing again from you and the others. Thanks much,
Sid Phillips
Hello I am a Student\Video Engineer\Camera Operator\Editor at Deerfield Beach
High School's Broadcast Communications Magnet Program in Deerfield Beach,
Florida.
Amoung other things we have 5 video toaster 4000s could you help me get started
in the 3D program. I've fusted with it but haven't gotten much out of it.
At the same turn of the coin if you ever have any S-VHS questions I can answer.
Nice to meet you
Seth Tours
Seth,
Re: Lightwave
Do you have any specific questions or are you just getting into it? You
might consider doing some of the tutorials in the manual as a good way to
get started. There are also some sample scene layouts and objects in the
3D World library here.
-John