Rendering large files

Hello,
I have several coworkers who are trying to render large 3D models of
process equipment. Most of the time they end up getting out of memory
errors and AutoCAD just shuts down. I would like help to determine if
they are trying to do something out of the ordinary or if our systems
are grossly under powered.

We are running AutoCAD2005 on Pentium 4 machines Running XP Pro SP2
with 1 to 2 GB of RAM and 50 GB free HD space. The models are roughly
70 MB. Does this configuration sound particularly odd or can you
direct me to someone who would know what the proper setting and
hardware requirements are?

Thanks,
Bert

 

I have actually rendered larger files, there should be no problem. Is
AutoCAD using its own Heidi drivers or are you using 3D Accelerator
hardware?

 

We are using ATI FireGLX1 128MB 3D Accelerators. Apparently it uses
the default Autocad HDI drivers because I cant find a specific ATI HDI
driver. The odd thing to me is that the system is actually less stable
when AutoCAD is set to use Hardware Acceleration.

Thanks for your help.

 

what rendering program are you using?

 

Here are some things you might have already tried but just in case:

Adaptive Degradation - select all the check boxes in this option
Dynamic Tessellation - set to low detail (low memory)
Anti-aliasing - make sure this is set to minimal
Display Resolution - set all values to the minimal

If there is still a problem try redirecting AutoCAD to use wopengl6.hdi

 

Navisworks

 

I tried using the settings you specified and it helped. I also tried
to change the hdi driver but apparently the only one I have available
is wopengl8.hdi. My understanding is that this is AutoCADs current hdi
driver. I was surprised that ATI did not have their own. Were you
saying that wopengl6.hdi is a better version? I will check to see
where I can get a copy just in case. Thanks for your help.

 

Sorry, we are using Navisworks, but we are working with AutoSolids.

 

Great