Computer build question for anyone working on large models

[iamcdn79]

We may be awarded a very large tool that would be a combined 350 Mb file size between the core and cavity model that I would be working on at the same time. 

We are looking at upgrading my computer and I would like to know if anyone has worked on models that big and if so what is your computer build like.

I just did a similar combined model but it was half that file size and it was a struggle with 32 Gb RAM, 2 Gb Quadro graphics card. i7 3.5GHz cpu. Just for the core file I ended up with 6 projects and took 15 mins just to import the model.

[Jonathan.Artiss-DSI]

Are you guys looking for a better user experience for building your project or for calculation speeds? A better user experience is to build a fast PC and by limiting the project size as much as possible. 

We are currently working on a solution for taking calculations offline. DSi has built an API that plugs into PowerMill and sends the Project to another computer or virtual cloud PC to calculate the toolpaths, freeing up your PC for review or to start another project. 

Ultimately this should speed up your workflow, the only slowdowns would be when you review the project after calculation for edits or output. 

[Jonathan.Artiss-DSI]

I know this doesn't answer your question of what to upgrade to make your PC better, but sometimes you need to look past the question to offer the best solution. 

[iamcdn79]

This is the first I have heard about this. When will this be available? Will it be an added cost feature? What kind of calculation speeds will this be done at?

[Jonathan.Artiss-DSI]

This has been in the works for a short while, our development team has been working hard to get this ready to showcase and demonstrate at our keynote presentation at IMTS this week. 

The speed is only restricted to the computer or cloud server you send the project across to calculate. 

I'm not sure how close it is to a customer release but I could try to get you some more details. 

[iamcdn79]

Ok, just shoot me an email when you do.

[ondrej.mikulec]

I would like to know how Autodesk sees the moving projects for calculations into another computer/server regarding licensing. Technically one single-user license can have installed Powermill up to 3 times but must be provided that only this one user is using the one seat at one time. Has somebody researched that or will that API be "certified" by Autodesk that the functionality is not breaching any licensing agreements? Can Autodesk clarify this?

[Jonathan.Artiss-DSI]

@ondrej.mikulec 

This is an application built by DSi, not Autodesk. We are a reseller of Autodesk products and have developed a considerable amount of applications that plug into Autodesk products. This is one of the solutions we've built for Powermill which should be available soon. 

In terms of licensing, you must have an available session or license available on the computer you're processing the project in. 

[M_Hennig]

I have been following the "cloud computing" buzzword for quite some time now and was wondering if PM would make use of this. I would like to know what sort of time savings would take place with all sorts of people dumping huge toolpaths on some massive computer somewhere. If the return is marginal, and there is a price increase, it begs the question, why not just purchase a faster computer?  Not to mention the safety concerns.

[Jonathan.Artiss-DSI]

Hey @M_Hennig 

This is configurable to whatever your heart desires. You could set it up to look at multiple PC's over the network, send it to a cloud mega computer, whatever. Obviously keeping it internal on a local PC would be ideal for privacy and security but the option would be there. 

This is not meant to take over or speed up hitting the trusty old Calculate button for a local calculation, this if for guys programming ahead. The theory of this application by itself is to keep the user building new projects or reviewing toolpaths they get back from the API while another PC takes the performance hit.

The bigger picture is to use this to help automate the entire programming process. For example, you have 20 lifters you need to program, 18 are simple and 2 are going to require some attention. You put the 18 lifters into a folder and launch your automation, this sets up all your models, templates and sends them off to be calculated while you get started on the 2 lifters that need manual attention.