PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

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Hirazi Blue
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PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by Hirazi Blue » 11 Apr 2010, 14:06

One of the new features of Si2011 (as you all well know...) is the new PhysX 2.83 plugin for CUDA enabled GPU's. Now I install and enable PhysX, but the NVidia Visual Info Thingie keeps telling me it's "PhysX CPU" and not "PhysX GPU", only. Now I working with a Quadro FX 3700 (but I can't find any chart or table telling me so), so it could be my card simply is too old, but I was under the impression CUDA enabled cards could use PhysX GPU. I am obviously mistaken...

Please enlighten me... :x
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU

Post by owei » 11 Apr 2010, 17:05

Hey..!

You might have to install the CUDA-drivers for your graphic card. As far as I know, the don´t ship with the card drivers and have to be installed separately like the SDK for CUDA. More information should be found on NVIDIA´s website ;)

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oliver

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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU

Post by Hirazi Blue » 11 Apr 2010, 18:03

Okay, thanks, that probably explains it...
I'll just have to update my CUDA Toolkit to 3.0 then?
I already had an earlier version of CUDA (2.3) on my workstation for use with 3D Coat, so I thought I had that covered... #:-s
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU

Post by owei » 11 Apr 2010, 18:13

...hm...good question. give it a try and let us know ;)

cheers,
oliver

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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU

Post by Hirazi Blue » 11 Apr 2010, 19:45

Okay I have now officially given up...
My assumption at the moment would be that the Quadro FX 3700 just can't handle the PhysX stuff. I've installed the Cuda 3.0 Toolkit, the PhysX System software, enabled PhysX in my Quadro driver, restarted for good measure... My CUDA-3D Coat happily purrs along... But in the Softimage Viewport I get:
physx.jpg
And that should be "PhysX>GPU", if I'm not mistaken...

I guess I could live with the idea that this is a feature my graphics card doesn't support, but I cannot find any indication anywhere as to what hardware would be able to support it, as the whole "Graphics Hardware Certification" pdf doesn't tell me anything useful either...
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU

Post by Hirazi Blue » 12 Apr 2010, 14:10

Okay, to recap:

From the WIKI:
Simulation
Update PhysX library to version 2.83
NOTE: Due to a change in the PhysX library, actual shape collision results will be different in 2011
Support for CUDA acceleration for PhysX Rigid Body Dynamics (including ICE)
From the Softimage Features page:
Create meshless deformation simulations in ICE with the latest NVIDIA® PhysX® rigid body library. With new support for springs and dampers, you can more easily achieve a wide range of effects, such as jelly-like and plastic deformation. The new library also offers accelerated performance, enabling artists to focus on the creative process when working with dynamic simulations. Even faster performance is possible with the optional addition of an NVIDIA® CUDA enabled GPU.
From the Planet Softimage blog:
Simulation
Update PhysX library to version 2.83
NOTE: Due to a change in the PhysX library, actual shape collision results will be different in 2011
Support for CUDA acceleration for PhysX Rigid Body Dynamics (including ICE)
(identical to the WIKI quote above)

And from the comments on that blog post:
Posted by Chinny on Mar 11, 2010 at 08:14 PM
@ Matt Summers
The PhysX update includes new springs and dampers
It also allows for CUDA acceleration for Rigid Body Dynamics (normal and ICE)
From the SI2011 product brochure:
The new library’s accelerated performance can be even further boosted with the optional addition of an NVIDIA CUDA enabled GPU.
And no one has anymore info???/Or does no one care at all??? =))

---

ultimate edit/PS - I'm starting to guess it might have something to do with the mysterious change of topic for Mark Schoennagel's presentation at the GDC for Nvidia. According to this document a presentation entitled "Softimage 2011 Enhanced with PhysX" was originally planned at the GDC for Nvidia, but in the end the only presentation mentioned after the GDC was called "Lip Syncing with Face Robot using Softimage 2011" (Link) 8-}
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by origin » 13 Apr 2010, 06:54

Here is info about CUDA enabled gfx:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda_gpus.html

Anyway, my notebook gfx 330M performs rbd sim at same speed as 2010.
How did you get this thingy (physx+cpu) to be visible in viewport?

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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by Hirazi Blue » 13 Apr 2010, 09:47

From the "Control_Panel_Quick_Start_Guide" that goes with the driver:
PhysX Indicator
Enabled through the 3D Settings menu bar item, the PhysX indicator appears when
running applications to let you verify the type of PhysX acceleration the game is using ‐
CPU or GPU ‐ or whether PhysX acceleration is being used at all. This feature also
appears in later Release 190 drivers.
In other words: activate it in the menu bar under "3D Settings". I could be, however, that this only shows up, after installing the PhysX System Software... (But I believe later Geforce drivers install the PhysX System Software automatically) ;)
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by Hirazi Blue » 14 Apr 2010, 08:44

Yesterday I found a similar thread on the XSI Mailing List, which, if nothing else, proves more people are struggling with this "new feature". That thread will probably be the one to watch, as there's a bigger chance someone from Softimage comments on this mystery over there... :-$
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by Hirazi Blue » 30 Apr 2010, 12:30

Okay, now we're getting somewhere...
Stephen Blair has revealed one more secret concerning the PhysX Acceleration in his Support Blog...
physx and cuda enabled gpu

This leaves open the question, if this only applies to ICE RBD, as "normal" RBD do not log anything.
It could be the scenes I'm feeding PhysX are too simple, as I don't see any serious acceleration since 2010.
If you turn on the "PhysX Visual Indicator", however, which should tell you, if PhysX is calculated via "CPU" or "GPU", it clearly still states "PhysX > CPU".
rbdinfo.jpg
edit: Okay, I have officially given up:
Quoting Stephen Blair from this parallel thread @ the Area...
It is possible to get the PhysX - GPU. I don’t know why you do not get it.

Nobody knows, nobody cares... Ah well... :-
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by redmotion » 09 May 2010, 22:08

This thread doesn't provide a solution or an answer for this issue but maybe a possible reason why it doesn't work (for everyone).
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/xsi_li ... 77e7?hl=en

Has anyone tried soft body physics instead of RBD?

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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by Hirazi Blue » 09 May 2010, 22:21

Well, after I logged this as a "Support Request" I got the following message
from our ever-vigilant mutual friend Stephen Blair, sent on the 4th of May:
It is possible there may be an issue with PhysX acceleration and Softimage on 64-bit systems, and that is what the developers are trying to reproduce right now.
As I have not yet heard anything since, I guess they're still trying to reproduce it... :D
Anyway "my money" still is on some kind of official statement, but I've already sort of given up hope on this feature... :(
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by dwigfor » 11 May 2010, 15:36

Reminds me of the old (maybe v5) feature of being able to use an external Ageia PhysX card (before they were aquired by Nvidia) for awesome RBD effects. Oh wait, that feature never materialized....

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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by Hirazi Blue » 11 May 2010, 16:27

Ah, those were the days, my friend... :-j
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by Hirazi Blue » 12 May 2010, 08:28

FYI - This morning I got a mail, informing me, Softimage is still working on the problem... ;)
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Re: PhysX 2.83 + Cuda GPU ???

Post by Hirazi Blue » 21 May 2010, 12:06

Well, its been a while since I last heard something from Softimage
on this ever so fascinating topic... i-)

Luckily I'm absolutely sure the solution to this mystery will some day be magically revealed... :-j
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