EnigmA Amiga Run 1997 July/EnigmA AMIGA RUN 20 (1997)(G.R. Edizioni)(IT)[!][issue 1997-07 & 08][EAR-CD IV].iso/lightwave/lwmlist/96.lightwave-0108/[e-mail] _Fri Jan 12 13:53:26 1996.msg

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Subject: Re: Amiga -> Intel
X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
Status: O
X-Status:

In a message dated 96-01-11 14:48:43 EST, you write:

>My hesitation at making the move is: 1) I have used Amigas for 5 years
>and have built up a software base I can use blindfolded. If I move to
>PC I have to start from scratch.  2) The *cost* of buying a new platform
>and software base.  3) If I set up an adjacent Pentium, the moving of
>files between systems (assuming issue no.1 is solved by running both in
>parallel).
>
>My questions are related to the setting up of a PC system.
>(Please note that I am in Australia and therefore use a PAL
>system).
>
>* There is talk of Win32, NT, Win95 and Win3.11... what do I need to run
>LW 4.0, assuming I have a P120 or the like? Or rather, what is the
>*best*?

    I prefer Windows 95, but many will argue that NT is better. I don't think
anyone would argue for Win32s. 95 is compatable with more applications than
Windows NT is, but the multi-tasking and memory systems are a bit better in
NT.


>* What is the equivalent PC RAM requirement to match 16meg RAM on an
>Amiga (ie. what I call minimum)?

       Well, memory is handled very differently on PC. Virtrual memory is
native, so a 16 meg system could render things much larger than a 16 meg
system on an amiga. However, to answer you question, I'd suggest 24-32 megs
of ram, as the systems start to really fly once you get above 16 megs.
Virtual memory is not fast, but it's better than you'd think. I've done
animations in 16 megs on PC's that I couldn't have done on a 16 meg amiga,
period. It will be strange at first, expecialy when you boot lightwave in a
16 meg system and have about 4 megs of space to work with untill your drive
light starts up....

>* Is it possible to live without Arexx? I live and breathe it with the
>likes of ImageFX.

       BML provides a much better Arexx like control for Modeler, but I do
miss ImageFX. There is really nothing like that program...

>* Is there the equivalent of ImageFX and MultiFrame batch image
>processors?

     WinImage is probrobly your best bet. You can get the PC 95/3.11 version
for about $60 and it's essentialy the same as ImageMaster on the Amiga, but
with a slightly re-vamped interface (and a much faster CPU)..

>* Is the PAR on the PC as good as the Amiga version, which I have used?

     Comparable.

>* Now there is talk of the PVR which I haven't seen, what is the
>difference? Is there are DPS home page or mailing list perhaps?

       The PVR kicks ass. It's basicaly the PAR on a faster (PCI) bus, so you
can really leave the compression on low. It looks better than the PAR, as you
don't have to compress as much. One of our artists has one in his system, and
it's output is very much comparable to the flyer. Better in some situations,
worse in others, but about the same level...

>* It would be much cheaper to just stick an Amiga PAR into my machine,
>should I still consider it? (I don't see any plug-ins for the Amiga
>version of LW turning up, though).

      That depends on you. If your happy with your current render times, or
believe in the PowerAmiga's (as Joe Angell likes to remind me every day of my
life....) then sure. If you want lightning fast rendering, and a huge wealth
of great aplications, the PC is a great choice.

>If you had to spend the *absolute* minimum to set up a
>PC with LW and a PAR + TBC, what would the system consist of? (Say
>given a budget of US$5000 ie.AUS$7000 - note:  in Australia hardware and
>software is a bit more expensive).

     Well, that depends how you shop. If you have someone around who really
knows PC's (like we do) you can get a p100 motherboard, case, 1 gb harddrive,
and 32 megs of memory for pretty cheap:

        Intel Triton p100       $489
        2 60ns, 16meg simms  $420 each  - $840 total...
        1 gb hardrive    $225   (ide)
        PVR    ~$1700
        Capture Card   ~$750
        4gb hardrive for PVR    ~$1300
        Intel lightwave ~750, less if you get the cross platform upgrade...

These prices are based on what we payed at the last computer show we went to
in the area.. The PVR was bought from Merle, who can be found lurking on this
list offering excellent prices. I think the 4gb was from him too...
      You should also try to budget Photoshop or Fractal Design Painter into
your bugget, and KPT 3.0 - it's really worth the money... WinImages will
handle your batch needs, and Razor or premier will handle the PVR stuff.
      I've also seen PC PAR cards with the TBC going for around $1700, which
would save you a bit of money if your fine with the pars output. Myself, I'm
going with a Q-Motion PCI card, which is about the same quality as a PAR/TBC
combo, but is around $950..  My needs are less in terms of video production,
as I do computer games, so it's overkill for me..
        I made the switch from a 16mhz 3000, to a p75, and have never looked
back. I really miss ImageFX, but things like KPT convolver just make up for
it. Theres nothing like the real time feedback you get....
     Hope this helps...