Summary
Today, with GPU compute the researcher launches the computation in his or her own lab with his or her local supercomputer and with the same machine does the visualizations the way he or she wants them done. Depending on the complexity of the task jobs that took weeks now takes days, jobs that took days can be done in minutes and the time scales are further compressing. Productivity goes up, quality of research goes up, humanity benefits - it is the convergence of compute and viz.
Analysis
Who are going to be the winners and who will be the losers?
In the old days (just a few years ago and still today) researchers – in scientific (think molecular studies like protein), entertainment (think amazing movies or games), or industrial (think FEA) would launch or commission a horrendous calculation run that could take from weeks to years depending upon resources and research. When the results came back they would then send the file(s) to the visualizer. Then when the renders were done the researchers would complain and tell the visualizer to do them over and make them look like this…
In the old days (just a few years ago and still today) researchers – in scientific (think molecular studies like protein), entertainment (think amazing movies or games), or industrial (think FEA) would launch or commission a horrendous calculation run that could take from weeks to years depending upon resources and research. When the results came back they would then send the file(s) to the visualizer. Then when the renders were done the researchers would complain and tell the visualizer to do them over and make them look like this…
This is a change that has been long in coming. The hardware companies -- AMD, Intel, Nvidia --are building in rendering power to mainstream computers. The software companies are pushing the hardware for all its got and asking for more. In some ways, the hard work is really just beginning. Rendering any time and anywhere changes the workflow -- at least that's the theory.
At Siggraph this year, the luncheon discussion will include representatives from software and hardware companies. Invited guests include press, analysts, investors, and advanced users. The industry has worked long and hard to expand the possible. It's time to move the discussion into the practical.
How does the world change when you can see what you think?
At Siggraph this year, the luncheon discussion will include representatives from software and hardware companies. Invited guests include press, analysts, investors, and advanced users. The industry has worked long and hard to expand the possible. It's time to move the discussion into the practical.
How does the world change when you can see what you think?
Come to the discussion at Siggraph in New Orleans 5 August at noon.
Mulate's 201 Julia St., New Orleans
Jon Peddie, Ph.D. consults with leading institutions through GLG
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
