Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/18322
Nvidia Launches New Quadros, 3D Vision Pro Solution Nvidia has rolled out its Quadro graphics processing units based on the company’s Fermi architecture, and introduced the new 3D Vision Pro solution—all in a move that the compa- ny describes as “ushering in the era of the computational visualization workstation” for designers, engineers, research- ers, and animators. The new Quadro GPUs deliver performance that is up to fi ve times faster for 3D applications and up to eight times faster for computational simulation, shattering previous benchmarks. The Quadro Plex 7000 array, as well as the Quadro 6000, Quadro 5000, and Quadro 4000 GPUs feature the new Nvidia Scalable Geometry Engines and leverage the compa- ny’s Application Acceleration Engines (AXE) to enable fast performance across a broad range of CAD, DCC, and visual- ization applications. Rated at 1.3 billion triangles per second in raw performance, the Quadro 6000 enables users to interactively work with models and scenes that are fi ve times more complex than before. The new Quadro GPU contains ECC memory and fast, IEEE double-precision fl oating-point performance for appli- cations demanding accuracy, such as medical imaging, fi nite- element analysis, and computational fl uid dynamics. The GPUs are built on industry standards, including OpenGL 4.1, DirectX 11, DirectCompute, and OpenCL, enabling software developers to deliver next-gen professional appli- cations that incorporate compute-intensive tasks, such as raytracing, physical simulation, fl uid dynamics, and real-time video effects processing. Presently, the new Quadro professional solutions include the Quadro Plex 7000, with 12GB (total) of memory and 896 CUDA cores, for Scalable Visualization Systems. For board and desktop workstation solutions, Nvidia announced the Quadro 6000, with 6GB of GDDR5 memory and 448 CUDA cores; the Quadro 5000, with 2.5GB of GDDR5 memory and 352 CUDA cores; and the Quadro 4000, with 2GB of GDDR5 memory and 256 CUDA cores. For mobile workstations, there is the Quadro 5000M mobile workstation GPU with 2GB of GDDR5 memory and 320 CUDA cores. All the Quadro products are compatible with the new Nvidia 3D Vision Pro active shutter-glasses solution, also announced recently, for a high-quality stereoscopic 3D immersive experience. The Quadro 4000 is priced at $1199, while the Quadro 5000 carries a $2249 price tag. The Quadro 6000 costs $4999, and Quadro Plex 7000 sells for $14,500. Mobile workstations based on the Quadro 5000M will be available from HP and Dell. 6 PRODUCT: GRAPHICS CARDS October 2010 Autodesk Lights Up New Flame Autodesk introduced its new Flame Premium 2011 for 3D visual effects creation, editorial fi nishing, and real-time color grading. Flame Premium combines the latest 2011 Extension 1 releases of Autodesk Flame, Autodesk Smoke Advanced, and Autodesk Lustre software into a single offering, designed to help postproduction companies expand and diversify their creative services more cost-effectively. Moreover, Flame Premium is being launched at a price substantially less than the cost of purchasing licenses of these products individually. New customers can purchase Flame Premium software for as little as $129,000. Upgrade pricing from Flame, Lustre, and Smoke is available. “Flame Premium presents a great opportunity for custom- ers to expand their creative services and better compete in a media industry that craves ever-more-sophisticated visual imagery,” says Marc Petit, Autodesk senior vice president of Media & Entertainment. “The industry is changing fast with HD, stereoscopic 3D, and digital distribution. Companies need the fl exibility to do more for less. With Flame Premium, customers can now offer a fuller range of services—higher- quality visual effects, editorial fi nishing, and real-time color grading—all with a single workstation.” PRODUCT: FINISHING NewTek Turns On LightWave 10 NewTek has released LightWave 10, the company’s next-gen professional 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software. LightWave 10 combines robust CORE technology with enhanced Modeler and Layout in this extensive upgrade. LightWave 10 offers numerous new features, including a photoreal, real-time version of the company’s renderer, VPR (Viewport Preview Renderer), and advanced, real-time CG hardware viewport shading delivering anaglyph stereo, ambi- ent occlusion, transparency, refractions, and bloom. The new version also offers extensive, new immersive real- time virtual cinematography and game development tools. For production studios and more advanced individuals, this immer- sive technology includes integrated support for the InterSense VCam virtual camera system. The individual artist gains a simi- lar immersive experience with LightWave 10 and its integrated support for 3Dconnexion’s complete line of 3D mice—all of which lets directors and artists interact in real time within a 3D set. Geared for small to large studios, LightWave 10 also supports integrated dynamics and simulations, advanced UV mapping tools, and more. LightWave 10 costs $1495; upgrade pricing is $695. PRODUCT: 3D DCC