Cadalyst - October 2008 - (Page 12)

cadcentral GPU Battles CPU for Computing Hearts At NVISION 08, the inaugural visual computing event from NVIDIA (August 25– 27, San Jose, California), the company’s cofounder and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang suggested software developers should treat the graphics processing unit (GPU) as a general-purpose processor, not just a device to produce pretty pictures. “When we started the company, the GPU was really just an accelerator,” he recalled. “When it started out, it understood only graphics languages — Direct3D and OpenGL. The GPU today understands C and C++, the language of computing.” Some NVIDIA GPU product lines, including GeForce, Tesla, and Quadro, are built on CUDA, NVIDIA’s C-language programming environment. GPU advocates argue that because of its parallel computing architecture, the GPU can outperform today’s fastest CPU. This may be true for the moment, but the CPU — especially the next generation from Intel — might have a few tricks up its sleeve. In a paper presented at SIGGRAPH 08 (August 11–15, Los Angeles, California), the chipmaker released details about a project code named Larrabee, “the industry’s first many-core x86 Intel architecture . . . based on an array of many processors.” So if you’re a software developer, the sudden increase in available computing horsepower could be a blessing and a curse. Your software could perform much better, but only after you rewrite a significant portion of code to take advantage of the new chip, be it a GPU or a CPU. IntelliCAD Users Unite in New Forum Deelip Menezes, a CAD blogger and the owner of SYCODE, wrote, “Most IntelliCAD vendors have some sort of communication mechanism for their customers, such as forums, discussion groups, etc. However, in all these years, I have not come across any central place where all IntelliCAD users can meet up and help each other.” So in late August, he launched IntelliCAD.net. Within two weeks of its launch, the community gained 18 members, including CAD programmers, developers, and consultants from Hong Kong, Taipei, India, and Colorado. It hosts discussion forums, wish lists, news, customization tips, and video clips. IntelliCAD, a DWGcompatible CAD platform, is maintained by the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium. Fashionable New Wrinkle in CAD/CAM Does supermodel Gisele Bündchen objects. The analysis tools let users virhave anything to fear from a bunch tually drape and fit a dress on a digiof software developers? Not immedital human model and identify the tenately, but perhaps in the near future, sions distributed over the figure (to depending on the fashion and apparel give a general idea of the comfort). industry’s willingness to embrace Both the dresses and the human modcomputer-aided els are customizable. fabric simulation Therefore, a cusand digital human tomer theoretically models. In late could provide a digiAugust at NVIDIA’s tal scan of his or her NVISION 08 visual body, and OptiTex computing confercould tailor a custom ence, OptiTex outfit. showcased its OptiTex is one of 2D/3D CAD/CAM the companies taksoftware for fashing advantage of ion and textile NVIDIA’s CUDA, design. According a C-language proto the company, gramming environits Pattern Design ment embedded in System (PDS) uses select NVIDIA graphsophisticated rules ics processing units. of particle deforAutodesk Maya mation and physoffers a comparaics to accurately ble clothing simulasimulate the look, tion system, known feel, movement, as nCloth. In recent and even wrinyears, PLM software OptiTex, an exhibitor at NVISION 08, kling of differproviders such as PTC develops CAD/CAM solutions that can ent types of faband Oracle Matrixaccurately simulate the look, feel, and rics on digital One have found new movement of fabric. 12 sources of revenue in the footwear and apparel design markets. Although OptiTex is not developed specifically for the AEC and MCAD markets, the company points out the software can import and export OBJ, IGES, and Autodesk 3ds Max and Maya file formats commonly deployed by CAD users. Possible use of OptiTex in architecture and industrial design might include simulating building environments accentuated with curtains or consumer products that have fabric-like textures. Cadalyst executive editor Kenneth Wong explores the innovative use of technology and its implications. Read his blog at www. cadalyst.com/kw. More News Find breaking and current news at www.cadalyst.com/news. www.cadalyst.com cadalyst October 2008 http://www.IntelliCAD.net http://www.cadalyst.com/kw http://www.cadalyst.com/kw http://www.cadalyst.com/news http://www.cadalyst.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cadalyst - October 2008

Cadalyst - October 2008 Contents Editor’s Window Cad Central SimCity for Real Designs Spring to Life — 3D Publishing Tools Make File Sharing as Easy as Opening a Book Xi MTower 2P64X — Dual Quad-Core Workstation ArchiCAD 12 — BIM Software Dell Precision M6300 — High-End Mobile Workstation Cad Manager Mcad Modeling Aec Insight Cad Cartoon Issue Indexes Hot Tip Harry

Cadalyst - October 2008

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