Why don't AutoCAD focus on multicore processor support?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I have been using AutoCAD products for several years now. Why can't AutoCAD focus on getting better mulitcore support?

Some of out projects are quite big and it is inefficient waiting on project database rebuild when 6 of my cores are idling.

We have stopped using hyperlinks because it just takes to long to use this feature.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Support-...

[dgorsman]

Multithreading isn't a magic wand to make things go faster - it's not just a matter of toggling a check box.  A lot of it has to do with operations that are sequential in nature.  A basic example:

(2 + 2) / 4

That's two operations, one addition and one division.  They could be split into two threads and run in parallel, but there's a problem with that.  The division operation must wait for the other operation to complete before it can proceed.  Granted that's much simpler than most of AutoCAD but the same principle applies.

There's another reason why AutoCAD is primarily single-threaded.  The DWG file is a database, consisting of records with data on every entity and object.  Each record can only be modified by one process at a time, and must be done in a specific order.  Otherwise the end result is unpredictable.  So each operation has to wait until the previous operation has completed it's changes to that record.  Operations which are completely independent of each other *could* make simultaneous changes e.g. updating end points of two different line entities.  Finding operations which are that way are more difficult to separate than you might think, because those lines could fire events (or reactors, in LISP) that request changes to other objects.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am aware of the basic function of only doing one operation at once with a general purpose (Desktop) CPU (per core).

I am also aware of the challenges of taking advantage of several cores and that it is not a "magic wand".

The problems you are describing is also challenging for many other programs (if not all), but they have focused on developing software that can do this.

The link function is on the border to useless on larger systems, it is unbelievable slow. I have seen projects that use more than 15 minutes to create these links.

Database update is ok, but when moving past 100 dwg it is also slow.

Not all attributes and information are linked to other dwg, so it shouldn't be necessary to update them sequentially.

Singel core/thread performance isn't improving substantially anymore and the trend seems to be more cores.

Just would like to know if the core software of AutoCAD is capable of using more cores or if AutoCAD have any plans to put focus on it

[jalger]

Hi Mat,

AutoCAD is Multi-Core that's why your likely not maxing out your processors, it spreads that load across all of your Processors.

The Problem is that its not Multi-Threaded. In An Attempt to alleviate it they have started kicking a few pieces out to the Chromium Host Instances that pop up when you start the program.  (you know the 3 horrible things that pop up and seem to consume every available process...)

My understanding is that one is dedicated to the start screen for a given program and the other 2 buffer data.  

My guess is that its to simulate multi threading. ( if you kill them AutoCAD , Inventor, Revit, which all have there own 3 instances... it will stop some of the features from working) The 3 Instances also seem to communicate with the Autodesk Desktop App to check for updates. 

Anyway my assumptions aside, the official word from Autodesk (until they update the Knowledge database), is:

" AutoCAD and AutoCAD for Mac only support multi-core technology in specific areas of the product, including:

• 2D regeneration
• MentalRay rendering

To fully benefit from multi-core processors, you need to use multi-threaded software; AutoCAD is predominantly a single-threaded application."

More information can be found on the webpage:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Support-...

I hope this helps,

Regards,

James

[Anonymous]

Hi James,

Thank you.

So I guess my conclusion is that this will not be addressed in near future.

I did a test and to me it seems that you are getting mainly 1 or 2 cores.

To bad, see all my hardware not being used.

Updating database and creating links:

Rendering on a General Arrangement: (I use a lot of wipe out and detailed blocks)

[Anonymous]

I am a Autocad/Autocad Architecture user since 20 years. I have seen all the "updates" of the software over the years. I love the program for it s speed and accuracy in doing 2d drawings. But as drawings get bigger, include 3d and texture it gets unbelievebly heavy. I have asked Autodesk top developer why. But the simple answer is that they are not going to alter the program code. Also Autodesk reluctant behavior towards .ifc annoys me. But I guess if you are big you can do what ever you like. 

Rhino can also handle dwg. But they have a different more modern code. The difference in speed is staggering.

I just hope Autodesk starts using their profit in developing the program. At my office we are slowly drifting away from Autocad.

[mo]

That's nice to hear, recently I upgraded to i3 8750K quad-core. This "toddler" in single core operation is so ultimate beast for autocad and advance steel.