pc is slow with particles

oferhod · Post by **oferhod** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:12 pm

I'm making a movie that contains some smoke and explosions. as you all probably know, sliding in the time line becomes VERY slow.
The question is what should I do:
a. add some RAM
b. upgrade the graphic card
c. upgrade processor
d. Change my ocupation
Thanks

Genete · Post by **Genete** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:28 pm

Make less particles visible during edition.

oferhod · Post by **oferhod** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:05 am

Make less particles visible during edition.

Thanks Genete, tried that but It doesn't seems to help at all, I don't know why...

Genete · Post by **Genete** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:34 am

I've not experimented with particles and image layers (maybe that's the problem).
Also particles plus onionskin is a big problem for performance.

Can you post a screenshot of your particle sub-layers and the particles parameters?. Maybe there is something unusual.

Also:

* Enable frame skipping under animaiton menu
* Try not to slide the time line cursor, just play it. Use a the partial play feature to control the played time.
* Particles (as well as bone dynamics) are goberned by math calculations based on current time and on its variation. If you have particles enabled at the beggining of the animaion and want to jump to a very distanced frame then Anime Studio have to calculate the particles values at that frame based on the iteration of the math calculations form the first to the far away frame. It takes some time. It cannot be avoided. It is more noticiable when dumping forces are enabled. They give nor lineality to the equations and need to be solved based on the trak of the timeline. If it is not really needed try to avoid enable dumping forces.
* When previewing an animation with particles (and if they are made with vector layers) enable wireframe view option for the particles layer only. it would speed up it a bit.

oferhod · Post by **oferhod** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:54 am

Thanks again Gente,

I did everything you wrote, except..

Try not to slide the time line cursor, just play it. Use a the partial play feature to control the played time.

I really want to do that.

Unfortunately, I think I'll have to use the hardware help..

So let's go back to the original question:
a. add some RAM
b. upgrade the graphic card
c. upgrade processor
d. anything else??

Genete · Post by **Genete** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:04 am

a. RAM is not an issue on particles unless you're using image layers
b. Upgrade the graphic card is a waste of money considering that AS doesn't use graphic card acceleration abilities, IIRC.
c. Upgrade processor is the best thing you can do.
d. Unfortunately I don't have more recommendations. Only show me your details of the particular particle problem (number of vector layers or image layers, number of particles in preview and if using damping forces or not) to allow me see some bizarre parameter

Good luck with the processor change (if any)

oferhod · Post by **oferhod** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:23 am

Genete, Thank you very much for taking the time to help.
I had a feeling that Ram is not the issue, but was pretty sure graphic card is what I need. so I guess I was wrong about that..

I'll upload the file soon.

Thank You!
Ofer