This video runs through a comprehensive set of tests that demonstrates the ultra-fast GPU-accelerated (900%) 3D transparency rendering mode in PTC Creo Parametric 2.0 and a 4X increase in shaded 3D frame rates and interactivity using Vertex Buffer Objects (VBO) on AMD FirePro professional graphics cards.
The video shows the percent performance enhancement in FPS for PTC Creo Parametric 2.0 compared to PTC Pro/Engineer Wildfire. Summary results as follows:
The Eizo monitor that was on display at NAB 2012 has full 4K x 2K (4096 x 2160) native resolution across its 36.4-inch screen, designed for professional applications where image quality and true 10-bit color (278 trillion colors) is critical. This resolution is the equivalent of 4 1080P monitors. The display is driven by a single AMD FirePro graphics card using Eyefinity technology.
Order independent transparency or “OIT” in computer graphics programming terminology denotes any technique that can correctly render overlapping semi-transparent objects without having to sort them before they are being rendered. Rendering semi-transparent objects has always been a problem because the blending operation is order dependent: when a semi-transparent fragment is rendered, the underlying color (i.e. the background) is crucial for the final color to be correct.
This article and accompanying white paper, explain how AMD implemented the OIT technique in PTC Creo Parametric 2.0. The technique uses standard ARB OpenGL 4.2 extensions like Atomic Counter and Shader Image load/store which enables access to texture buffer directly from the shader. The implementation allows for pixel accurate rendering of overlapping semi-transparent objects without having to sort them before they are being rendered, providing up to 9 or 10 times performance improvement when rendering transparency in Creo Parametric 2.0 versus blended rendering in PRO/Engineer Wildfire5.0.
At COFES 2012: The Congress on the Future of Engineering Software, AMD FirePro team’s Director of ISV relations, Allen Bourgoyne, presented a session on GPU Trends for computing in Engineering. This covered GPU trends and its impact on visual computing, OpenGL / DirectX / OpenCL applications as well as CPU/GPU utilization to get the most out of the graphics and computing power for engineering applications.
COFES is the engineering software industry’s only annual think tank event which brings executives from design, engineering, architectural, development and technology companies together to understand the role engineering technology will play in the future survival and success of your business.
The video below shows a quick glimpse of the AMD presentation.
This video compares PTC Creo Parametric 2.0 to Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5 for 3D transparency rendering on an AMD FirePro V7900. AMD and PTC developed a new hardware-accelerated transparency feature called Order Independent Transparency (OIT) (See post on ultra-fast GPU-accelerated 3D transparency mode for Creo Parametric 2.0). With the new OIT users can experience up to 900% faster performance in 3D transparency rendering with AMD FirePro professional graphics cards. Check out the video to see the first public example of this. This is impressive.
AMD and PTC developed an ultra-fast GPU-accelerated (900%) 3D transparency rendering mode in PTC Creo Parametric 2.0 along with a 4X increase in shaded 3D frame rates and interactivity using VBO on AMD FirePro professional graphics cards. (See press release).
PTC Creo Parametric 2.0 users benefit by using FirePro Graphics and the certified drivers in several ways:
Hardware-accelerated transparency rendering a.k.a Order Independent Transparency (OIT)): Increases 3D
interactivity (frame rates) by up to and over 900% while
"pixel-accurate" depth sorting ensures that assembly components are
visually represented in context of the surrounding geometry.
Hardware-accelerated 3D interactivity performance in viewport performance through the implementation of Vertex Buffer Object (VBO) technology:
"Always-on" 3D rendering performance enhancements provide up to and
over 4X faster 3D frame rates and interactivity with advanced datasets
and workflows.
AMD Eyefinity technology: Easy and flexible configuration of up to six
displays from a single AMD FirePro professional graphics card provides
more efficient multi-tasking and greater workflow flexibility.
AMD GeometryBoost technology: Provides double the raw geometry
performance for working with larger datasets with more complexity,
ensuring smooth 3D interactivity even as moderately complex datasets
and models become more complex.
The below video with Antoine Reymond, Senior Strategic Alliances Manager in AMD's Professional Graphics group, describes the AMD/PTC partnership and the value it provides to joint customer.
The primary demos will focus on Eyefinity multi-display technology and the open source Bullet Physics Library plug-in for Maya. The Bullet physics engine is OpenCL-accelerated and used in hyper-realistic video games and feature film visual effects. It offers 3D collision detection, soft and rigid body dynamics, and more. Autodesk and AMD partnered to optimize development and performance of the Bullet plug-in in Maya. It is included with the Maya 2012 subscription update, no extra downloads or 3rd party software required.
Last week I received an email from AMD's North American Marketing Manager inviting me to the AMD Fusion 12 Developer Summit. The invite included how to get a $50 discount on top of any early bird registration! I am posting the full email with discount information below.
Staying current on the latest technology is critical for success. Which is why I’m personally inviting you to attend the AMD Fusion12 Developer Summit (AFDS), June 11-14, 2012, in Bellevue, Washington, USA – and offering you a $50 discount on your pass.
AFDS provides a venue to hear and learn from the world’s foremost authorities on heterogeneous computing. Plus you’ll get direct access to detailed training in heterogeneous computing, OpenCL™, OpenGL, DirectCompute, and C++ AMP. It’s the fastest way for you to stay up to date on developments in this rapidly evolving computing paradigm.
Some of the AFDS experiences I know you’ll find invaluable include:
Industry-driving keynotes from AMD, Adobe, Cloudera, and Penguin Computing
10 technical tracks and dozens of intensive sessions covering heterogeneous computing, web technologies, cloud computing, gaming and consumer graphics, programming tools, and more.
Insights that will help you plan and refine your roadmaps
Unique collaboration opportunities with the world’s best technology professionals
You can save $50 when you register
Visit amd.com/afds to learn more, and then enter my e-mail address (Tessa[dot]Wolff@amd[dot]com) in the “Referred by” field and promo code AMDREF on the AFDS registration page. You’ll receive a $50 discount on your pass. Register now, and you can get the Early Bird price of just $395 (with your $50 discount your pass is just $345 – a savings of more than 50% off the full door price).
AMD FirePro cards have been optimized and certified for MSC’s two leading modeling solutions for industrial companies in aerospace, automotive and energy: Patran and SimXpert.
Patran is the world’s most widely used pre/post-processing software for Finite Element Analysis (FEA), providing solid modeling, meshing, analysis setup and post-processing for multiple solvers including MSC Nastran, Marc, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, ANSYS, and Pam-Crash.
SimXpert is a single environment that unifies linear & nonlinear FEA with multibody dynamics, native CAD access, and automation of CAE. It enables teams of engineers to share data / models and run multi-body dynamics, structural analysis, thermal simulations, crash tests, drop testing, and more.
FireUser.com is a community resource for CAD, visualization, 3D, video and engineering professionals to learn about the latest acceleration and display technologies and news with a focus on the AMD FirePro workstation graphics line.
