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CPU maxed out on model rotate?

CPU maxed out on model rotate?

CPU maxed out on model rotate?

(OP)
Hi all, I have a FireGL V3100 and when I rotate a fairly simple sheet metal part, non-imported, it maxes out my CPU?!?!

SW2007, SP2.0
1GB ram
Display Drivers, approved

Any ideas why this is happening?

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

Check the Level of detail settings in Tools > Options > System Options > Performance.

cheers

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

(OP)
Don't see anything in there that is set to slow me down... do you?



RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

Is the Video Card set to run openGL or SolidWorks?

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

Nope, that's about the same as mine.

Back to Tools > Options > System Options > Performance and with no documents open, select the Use Software OpenGL option.

If you cannot select it because it is greyed out, it means that either your card is not suitable or you still have a document open.

If you can select it and performance improves, it means your card or driver is not suitable for SW.

Also-also, make sure the "application" setting of the card is set to SolidWorks. I'm not sure if this function is available with the FireGL cards, but it is in the nVidia Quadro ones.

cheers

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

(OP)
Video Card is set to run SolidWorks already.  Although if I try to modify the internal settings within that setting and compare them to the OpenGL settings, they're the same.

Also, I just tried setting it to OpenGL in SW2007 and it still pegs the CPU (after shutting SW2007 down and starting it back up) and the rotate seems slower.  So, maybe I need to ditch the FireGL V3100...

thanks for the help.

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

I know you mention that above, but other the the drivers and all the other suggestions - maybe you have a bad VC.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

Which driver do you have?

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

(OP)
Driver 8.163.1.0 and SW2007 recommends 8.163.1

hmmm... the dates don't match... interesting.

Mine: 8.163.1.0 9/9/2005
SW2007 Hardware List: 8.163.1 5/16/2006

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

Maybe update the driver. Also, read through the FAQ's above.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

(OP)
Tried the driver linked to the SW2007 recommended using this method:

1) Unistalled current drivers.
2) Rebooted (came up with Standard Graphics Adapter)
3) Installed drivers from SW website for FireGL V3100
4) Rebooted
5) Driver version and date the same as before.  

So it appears it's an underpowered card.  :(

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

... or maybe it's just defective!

Can you swap it for another known good one?

cheers

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

(OP)
[begin whine]
No, I can't because we're very cheap at this company... no spare parts laying around.  Also, when I started here 8 months ago, they showed me my cubicle, all proud to show it to me, and there was a dual flat screen setup (19" each).  I thought "wow!".  I then fire it up and find the monitors are cheap and restricted to 1280 x 1024 and the computer is a 2.8GHz P4 with 1GB of RAM.  My old Dell M60 outperforms this PoS.  When I checked the video card I found it was the cheapest one you could get in the FireGL series (~$220 retail).
[end whine]

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

You have dual monitors? Check "View Notes" at SolidWOrks web site.
Dual Monitor Setup Instructions
2D Driver version: 6.14.10.6561
3D Driver version: 6.14.10.5284

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

(OP)
Already there...

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

Wasn't there an issue last week about bad USB drivers for a keyboard?

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

I just tested my System here running the Quadro FX 1100 with the certified drivers. I made a simple block and when I rotated my model guess what!!! My CPU maxed out to 100% too. so if you ask me its OK if that happens... IMO I think its suppose too because it has to calculate some of that data you see on the screen, not just the VC does that.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

P4, 2.8GHz CPU, 2GB RAM, nVidia FX500 and when rotating:-
5.5MB Assy --> CPU @ 100%
1MB part --> CPU @ 35%
175KB part --> CPU @ 22%

cheers

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

154kb part - While it was rotating maxed out to 100%.

I think its the driver or the card type... probably more like the driver for that card type.

If thats the case there is nothing you can do about it.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

(OP)
I wish I had tested this in SW2006.  

The issue I have with maxing out the CPU is that I've locked up my computer for about 5 minutes while XP Pro tried to sort out which program had priority.  (Ok, ok, I'll admit it... the big issue I have with the CPU maxing out is that when I've got the headphones on, designing, the music player starts skipping, d'oh!)

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

Does the CPU max out when you aren't running any other crap programs?

"... no spare parts laying around. "
Can you just borrow a similar card from another computer for a quick test?
Also can you borrow RAM from another PC to increase yours?

cheers

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?


See if your IT dept will kill some of the stuff (services) that is NOT needed running in the background. XP is a hog for resources. It's might be worth trying if you can. I thought the newer vid cards were suppose to handle most of the resources needed for mapping graphics with a direct shot thru the AGP/PCI connection on the MB rather than punishing the CPU.

Edson Gebo
Mechanical Designer/Drafter
SW2007 SP2.0
Cadra 2006 (yup 2D still exists)
-------------------------------------
Sometimes Success Begins at Failure
-------------------------------------

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

I try to keep only about 35 processing running when I start my computer up in the morning. After that during my normal work day I have many more, but I don't have a bunch of crap programs eating up my precious memory that I need for other more important programs.

I actually have been making an excel spread sheet of all the processes I find and making note of which ones are good and bad. I plan to post it on my site when I finish with the new look some time.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

(OP)
I shut down everything except SW2007 and killed every non-essential process.

A 962k file still pegs the CPU.

I'll try to grab more RAM.  

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

I belive that you will always peg the cpu when you rotate. Mine pegs the cpu with the fx500 card, 1.5 gig of ram 1.5 ghz processer

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?


more RAM might help but a faster CPU would be better. Back in my 'box build' days my thought was RAM is to store and flash data (read from and to a HD, VC, etc) and CPU is for calculations. It seems to me rotating the model (without hanging) needs CPU power so it can calculate the turn and draw it correctly. If I am wrong someone please post...I will be glad to listen. FYI...my computer knowledge is equivilent to the gear head in the barn out back tearing apart cars for 20 years. thumbsup2

Edson Gebo
Mechanical Designer/Drafter
SW2007 SP2.0
Cadra 2006 (yup 2D still exists)
-------------------------------------
Sometimes Success Begins at Failure
-------------------------------------

RE: CPU maxed out on model rotate?

I have 3GB with the 3GB switch enabled and it makes no difference.

Regards

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

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