3D Modeling Programs Requirements

[Kromis]

Do programs like XSI or Maya require those expensive cards?

I plan on taking a 3D modeling class soon so I might want to get a "headstart".

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: Kromis
Do programs like XSI or Maya require those expensive cards?

I plan on taking a 3D modeling class soon so I might want to get a "headstart".

Link

This talks about the latest workstation cards and what so of apps they are used for.

From experience, Nvidia produces the superior workstation cards and have a superior driver support. They provide excellent products. Unlike the desktop graphics arena where its a toss up between NV and ATI, workstation arena belongs to NV.

 

[Kromis]

Alright! Thanks Cookie Monster! You rock!

 

[450R]

You definitely don't need an expensive "workstation" card, especially if you're just starting out. Complex scenes would get a little slow in the viewports but we're talking huge scenes that a beginner probably wouldn't encounter. I've been doing fine with a 9700 Pro - Silo will go up to around 60,000 faces before it becomes unacceptably slow, can't remember where 3DS Max starts chugging.

Even so, every package/modeler that I know of (especially high-end ones like Maya/XSI) feature layers, or at the very least object hiding, either of which would significantly improve viewport responsiveness.

So unless you see yourself working with big, geometry-heavy scenes from the get-go, save yourself some money. I don't know what card you have now but something like a 7600GT may even be overkill ... but it never hurts to have a little more oomph.

Edit: Money is better spent on a fast CPU and a lot of RAM (doesn't have to be fast or low latency). GPU is only used for viewport display, CPU does the rendering unless you're using modo which, as far as I know, is the only package that employs the GPU for rendering.

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
Link

This talks about the latest workstation cards and what so of apps they are used for.

From experience, Nvidia produces the superior workstation cards and have a superior driver support. They provide excellent products. Unlike the desktop graphics arena where its a toss up between NV and ATI, workstation arena belongs to NV.

Seems odd that you could make the claim that the "workstation arena belongs to NV" when the link you provided says in conclusion that:

Summing up, I wouldn?t give any specific recommendations about purchasing this or that professional product. These solutions are quite expensive and you should address this matter responsibly. Especially, since professional users are very rarely working in several different applications at the same time. Therefore, your choice of a workstation graphics card will be strictly determined by the type of applications you will be running on your platform. Of course, Nvidia Quadro FX solutions are faster in most cases than ATI FireGL, however there are tasks where FireGL will be irreplaceable. For example, in Maya. So, we encourage those of you who have read this article to the end to make your own conclusions basing on the results and analysis we have shared with you today.

 

[wwswimming]

i run 3D Max with an ATI X850XT, and Solidworks (one CAD program which
supports a lot of texture mapping) with an nVidia 6600.

both video cards have 256 MB RAM.

the expensive FireGL and Quadro cards are purchased mainly by
nervous engineering managers who are spending other people's
money.

i used a dual Xeon system with the ATI FireGL card during one
3 year upgrade cycle. it was all right.

 

[BassBomb]

ive got a 6600GT and ive done up to 500k polies fine ! may lag at the start but once u start moving it works fine

dual core could help well too

 

[wiredvibes]

I am using a p4 extreme 3.6, a ATI mobility 9800 (256mb) and 3 gigs of ram. and after modelling for over 2 years, I do alot of complex scenes with everything lighting, textureing modelling particles dynamics etc. and i am having issues with not my GPU but my ram. It takes me almost an hour to render IPR renders in maya and it does not complete because it runs out of RAM, this is only been for my last few projects. So if you are just starting i dont see why u can get a mid level card and a mid level GPU and arnd 1GB or ram. Im now building a system for gaming and modelling so im using a 7950GX2 and 4 gigs of ram with the E6700. so basically all imsaying is you dont ahveto spend over 1000 dollars on a GPU for rendering, and you cannot use this machine for gaming. as games run like shyt on these cards. (dont know if thats an issue for u) but if u are going for a rendering specific GPU try thr Nvidia Quardo's they are supposed to be one of the better ones in a 1500 dollar price range. and you only start hitting slow speed while modelling only if you cross over a 5 million polys on my current configuration. but other than that im fine. so instead of spending 2000 dollars on a gpu that can only be used for rendering save you cash and build a complete mid level computer for that much. but i would advise you leave ram slots open for future upgrades because they help the most for 3D work and so does the processor. so a Core2Duo E6600 atleast. this should last you a couple of years. just my 2 cents

 

[Kromis]

Ahh, thanks for the insight and your experiences! I'm certainly not going to buy a workstation card then !