The Future is Here - Preparing your Computer for iClone 6


https://forum.reallusion.com/Topic212530.aspx
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By Visconti - 11 Years Ago
The Future is Here - Preparing your Computer for iClone 6

Since its launch, iClone 5 has been widely accepted by the market for years, one reason is that we were using the legacy and yet most matured DirectX 9 (DX-9) engine, which adapted to almost all basic GPU environments, but the lack of advanced visuals was always an issue for most high-end users.

iClone 6 is designed with DirectX 11(DX-11) architecture in mind, and thus requires an up-to-date 3D gaming computer in order to make your animations fly. For this, iClone 6 highly utilizes GPU power for visual computation while requiring large video memory to hold all textures for sophisticated visual quality, in real-time.

Obviously for this you would need a compatible machine that is capable of handling DX-11 rendering. For most computers with standalone GPUs released in the past two years, this should work. Now, we understand that many users might need to update their systems in order to keep up with times, so it might be a good chance for users to upgrade their systems to industry standard working environments.

Making iClone 6 into a cool and powerful product is no easy task as we look to help incoming users with friendly, easy to operate mechanics while at the same time enabling more advanced users with the tools they need to create outstanding projects worthy of any pro studio. As you can imagine, we also need to take into consideration the huge variety of PC specs, GPU chips and drivers that will enable everyone to take advantage of this wonderful tool.

Because of this Reallusion is planning to allow iClone 6 to run on DX-9 in 2015 Feb so that more users can still play with this new tool and most iClone 5 level content, of course this would entail limitations of certain DX-11 related features like Displacement, Real-time Smoothing, SpeedTree, limited number of lighting, and partial Indigo support. Please check out the differences in the page below.
http://www.reallusion.com/iclone/iclone_matrix_versions.aspx

System Requirements

iClone should run on all standalone GPU chips after 2012-2013, allowing it to run smoothly without any hassles. Please first check that your computer meets the minimum specifications shown on the page below. http://www.reallusion.com/iclone/iclone_requirements.aspx

For your convenience we also have provided a list of suggested 3D graphics cards that should make your iClone 6 + Indigo rendering work without any major issues. NVIDIA and AMD series should prove useful. iClone 6 can work smoothly with almost all newer NVIDIA chips, however we found different behaviors from AMD series (eg. 5000, 6000, etc) that may cause some new drivers to not work properly. We are working on this.



O  means okay (supported) or good
△ means partially okay, but not fully recommended
X  means not working 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GRAPHICS CARD FOR ICLONE6

This updated GPU performance chart below gives you an idea on how good your iClone 6 performance can be. Please compare it with your current graphics devices. The level of graphics chip which is higher than NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon R9 270 provides very good performance, ideal for designers or production studio seeking excellent iClone 6 working performance. In regards to our testing experiences, a graphics card at the level of NVIDIA GeForce GTX-660 2GB VRAM or above, priced around $139, can smoothly render all iClone 6 demo projects with more than 60 fps.

Graphics chips higher than NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or AMD Radeon HD 5970 gives normal usability, usually higher than 30 fps for most projects, while keeping good budget for personal or hobbyist's creation and design.

For an easier reference, please check with these Videocard Benchmarks - Updated 23rd of December 2014
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html



If you have an extra budget, may we also recommend a three screen configuration in order to fully optimize your iClone 6 experience to that of a full studio.

To make things easier we have successfully in-house tested lots of computer configurations that should enable your iClone 6 to run like a charm! Besides, dual-screen, triple-screens with multiple displays provide great environments when switching between screens and work panels.

eg. NVIDIA GTX-780TI Panorama 5760 x 1080 using iClone 6

If you have already confirmed that your system meets the requirements, then please visit this page to get more instructions on how to make your iClone 6 run smoothly.
https://forum.reallusion.com/Topic212528-386-1.aspx

Best Regards
Reallusion, Inc.


 

By SchachMatt - 11 Years Ago
Hi Visconti
"△ means okay, but not fully recommended"

so, what´s the meaning of "X" and "0", please?

I have a GTX 770 GPU; that should be OK, right?

BR,
Gerhard
By theschemer - 11 Years Ago
SchachMatt (12/24/2014)
Hi Visconti
"△ means okay, but not fully recommended"

so, what´s the meaning of "X" and "0", please?

I have a GTX 770 GPU; that should be OK, right?

BR,
Gerhard


Gerhard,

X means Does Not Support :(
O means It Does Support :)

Your GTX 770 will be fine although there are more powerful choices. :D

TS
By SchachMatt - 11 Years Ago
Hi theschemer,

thanks for your help.

My understanding would have been: "O" = "0" = zero = not supported;
and "x" = yes, supported.

Now I feel better.

Enjoy Christmas,

Gerhard

By theschemer - 11 Years Ago
Gerhard,
Glad to help. I guess a simple "yes" or "no" would have worked too. ;)
Happy Holidays,
TS
By MrStockboto - 11 Years Ago
Just so I'm clear, because I really, really wanted iClone 6 for Christmas...

The Windows 8.1, ASUS Laptop I've been using for iClone 5 has a GeoForce 670MX video card with 8 Gig Ram. IF I'm looking at the chart of cards that can run iClone 6, then my card is in the Not Okay section, meaning there's no point upgrading to iClone 6 because it won't work with my video card.

Before anyone starts, this is just a hobby for me so please don't disparage my hardware and/or tell me to buy a new computer. I just want a sanity check that iClone 6 will not run on my current system?

Thanks

UPDATED Dec 26, 2014:
I am very glad I purchased iClone 6. Still using the same machine I run iClone 5 on, iClone 6 works like a champ. It is slower on rendering final output if I pump all the settings up to highest quality, but using apples to apples settings iClone 6 is actually faster. As I'm working with projects iClone 6 runs as quickly if not faster then iClone 5.
By Sifr - 11 Years Ago
Will there be SLI support for Dedicated PhysX or will my SLI configuration autodetect iC6 PhysX?:unsure:

Great idea on the iC6 DX9c support for hobbyist, wonder how RL came up with that one?;):hehe::w00t::w00t::w00t:
By Rampa - 11 Years Ago
Texoma (12/24/2014)
Just so I'm clear, because I really, really wanted iClone 6 for Christmas...

The Windows 8.1, ASUS Laptop I've been using for iClone 5 has a GeoForce 670MX video card with 8 Gig Ram. IF I'm looking at the chart of cards that can run iClone 6, then my card is in the Not Okay section, meaning there's no point upgrading to iClone 6 because it won't work with my video card.

Before anyone starts, this is just a hobby for me so please don't disparage my hardware and/or tell me to buy a new computer. I just want a sanity check that iClone 6 will not run on my current system?

Thanks


That's a pretty good notebook, and is worth testing yourself. Try it with the trial version. It's only a couple years old, and that second digit being a 7 indicates a good amount of oomph for a notebook GPU.

You should absolutely try it! :)
By justaviking - 11 Years Ago
Texoma (12/24/2014)
Just so I'm clear, because I really, really wanted iClone 6 for Christmas...

The Windows 8.1, ASUS Laptop I've been using for iClone 5 has a GeoForce 670MX video card with 8 Gig Ram. IF I'm looking at the chart of cards that can run iClone 6, then my card is in the Not Okay section, meaning there's no point upgrading to iClone 6 because it won't work with my video card.

Before anyone starts, this is just a hobby for me so please don't disparage my hardware and/or tell me to buy a new computer. I just want a sanity check that iClone 6 will not run on my current system?

Thanks

The "600" series is in the "Okay" category.  ("X" = crossed out = bad).   But mobile cards are always less capable that their desktop cousins, so caution is warranted.

So... I suggest downloading the TRIAL VERSION and see how it goes.  That way you will know FOR SURE how it behaves on YOUR computer.

Feedback here would be appreciated.

P.S.

If you do the trial, and decide to buy it, you'll have to uninstall the trail and install the purchased version.  You can't simply enter a key to unlock the trial.

By animagic - 11 Years Ago
To avoid disappointment it should really be pointed out that besides a card in the 600 series or better, the second digit of the model number should also be taken into account.

Anyone in doubt should therefore look at the benchmark specification for their card. I think this should also be communicated to those that are interested in iClone 6, but may no visit this forum.

At least I now have an excuse to upgrade my card. Unfortunately, I don't have room for extra monitors...:crying:

BTW, a tip from another thread: make sure that your power supply is of good quality as a card at full throttle will need extra power. In addition, make sure the cooling of your case is up to snuff.

By Lawsuit Pending Records - 11 Years Ago
Thanks for this post very helpful indeed :-)
By planetstardragon - 11 Years Ago
-drool- hows this for a dream video card ?!

12gb gddr5

One can dream! but that price tag has got to go! lol

I bet with 3 of these sli, you can see the future! :w00t:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/evga-geforce-gtx-titan-z-12gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card/6221115.p?id=1219194067281&skuId=6221115
By Sifr - 11 Years Ago
The future is now.:crazy::alien::exclamationmark:
By justaviking - 11 Years Ago
planetstardragon (12/26/2014)
-drool- hows this for a dream video card ?!

12gb gddr5

One can dream! but that price tag has got to go! lol

I bet with 3 of these sli, you can see the future! :w00t:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/evga-geforce-gtx-titan-z-12gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card/6221115.p?id=1219194067281&skuId=6221115

With that card, you don't have to worry about seeing the future.  You can simply render it to be whatever you want it to be.

The scary thing is, even at that price, it currently says, "Sold Out Online."  Sold out?  To whom???!!!

By Sifr - 10 Years Ago
Maybe if I dream hard enough I can get dual Titan-Z in a laptop flavor..... just found this video yesterday, this is close enough for me. Although, 2x 980m on an SLI would be a nice upgrade path also, just glad I have options.:w00t::w00t::w00t:
By guidocornia_20100928110210516 - 10 Years Ago
my laptop has a graphic card nvidia 710m.
It supports the directx11, but it's defined entry level.
What do You think about?
Thank You.
Guido
By colour - 10 Years Ago
guidocornia_20100928110210516 (1/10/2015)
my laptop has a graphic card nvidia 710m.
It supports the directx11, but it's defined entry level.
What do You think about?
Thank You.
Guido

You'll need a separate Discrete Video card with Dedicated Video RAM as per Reallusion's Recommended Specs, to Run iC6 DX11 Version, Guido.

However, Reallusion are Releasing an iC6 DX9 Version in February for those PC's that don't meet iC6's GPU requirement. iC6's DX 11 Features won't be available, though.

By RobertoColombo - 10 Years Ago
Ciao Guido,

ti rispondo in inglese, essendo il Forum in inglese :)

I am not familiar with the video card that you mentioned, but I wish to propose you a different point of view.

From all the posts I read so far, it seems that that IC6 is quite resource-consuming.
So, the question could be re-phrased in this other way:

1. what I am using IC6 for ? Business or as an hobby ?
2. what is the level of complexity of the project I am working on ?
3. do I accept that IC6 will eventually slow down or crashes due to lack of resources (which might not be acceptable if used for business)
4. how much money am I ready to spend for a PC dedicated to 3D Animation ?
5. do I want to set up a system that can last for at least the next 1 or 2 generations of IC ?

My experience with my current (new) system (check my specs below) is quite positive.
IC6 looks very stable and I am working on a project with hundreds of props, (so far) a dozens of characters, one HD video embedded, etc. etc.

Yes, it costed a lot of money (I will eat less pizzas for the next 12 years :P :D ) but now I am quite happy.

Ciao

Roberto
By guidocornia_20100928110210516 - 10 Years Ago
Thank You, Colour.
I will learn how to apply an external card and how much money i need.

And if the cost will be hight, i will follow the suggestions of Roberto, remembering that for me is only an hobby.

thank You to all.

Guido

By RB3006 - 10 Years Ago

@Sifr
Reallusion iClone Pipeline --- Plugins: Avatar Toolkit, Kinect Mocap, Facial Pipeline, CrazyTalk Animator Pipeline, Maya LT, Daz, Substance Painter Indie, Substance Designer Indie, B2M Pro, Sculptris, Wrap, Unity, UE4, Perception Neuron Ready [Smile] [BigGrin] [Tongue] [Wink] [Cool] [Hehe] [Smooooth] [Crazy] [Satisfied] [Wow] [Pinch] [Exclamation] [Alien] [Discuss] [Kiss] [Arrow] [Sad] [Angry] [Sick] [Exclamation] [Blush] [Whistling] [w00t] [w00t] [w00t]

Dell Alienware m18X R2 18.5" Custom Convertible Tablet Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit Intel Core I7-3840QM 2.80GHz Quad Core 8 Thread 3.2GHz Turbo 512GB Solid State Hard Drive+1TB X2 RAID Disk Drive 32GB RAM Nvidia GEforce GTX 680m 2GB X2 SLI Custom Multi-touch. Dagi capacitive touch stylus
32" 2nd HDTV LCD Monitor

Microsoft Surface Pro 10.1" Tablet Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit Intel Core I5-3317U 1.70GHz 2.6GHz Turbo 128GB Solid State Hard Drive 4GB RAM HD 4000 Graphics Multi-touch Wacom Digitizer screen Surface Pen+Axiotron Studio Pen

Asus Vivo Tab 8" Tablet Windows 8.1 32-bit Intel Atom Z-3740 1.33GHz Quad Core 32GB Solid State Hard Drive 2GB RAM HD 4000 Graphics Multi-touch Wacom Digitizer screen Wacom stylus

Built in Intel Widi connectivity on all systems to Optoma GT750e Gametime short throw HD3D projector through Miracast.


Sifr (and some others),
please excuse my stupid question...
but I can not find in your signature ... what car you drive, whats your favorite food ... and so on.
You have some pictures of it? :w00t:
There is still plenty of empty space in your signature :blush:

or is there a competition to see who has the longest signature? :w00t:
.......
By RobertoColombo - 10 Years Ago
Hallo RB,

du bist richtig: ich muss dazu schreiben, dass ich immernoch Pizza im Kuhlschrank haben... das ist wichtig... ich muss meine Einzelheiten ergaenzen :D

In reality, I think the signature is not really to show off anything, but just to help other users vs. issues related to the PC specs.
We all know how much IC is sensible to the machine on which it is running... ;)

Gruessen

Roberto
By RB3006 - 10 Years Ago
Hello RC :D
Please don't misunderstand.
I have not mean you.
Nothing against PC specifications. Yes, this can be helpful ...
but some exaggerate with their informations ... thats senseless information overkill, paired with many smileys
By Draian63 - 10 Years Ago
I have one question...
my desktop PC is an AMD 8730e 8 core 3,2 GHz, MB AsRock 960GC-GS (business not gaming), 16gb ram DDR3 1.3, VB MSI gtx970 4gb Vram and is outperformed by my iMac (running bootcamp) 27" Intel i5 4690, 8Gb Ram DDR3 1.6, VB gtx 775M 2gb Vram; MB diffult to know.
More than double Realtime Frame Rate on the very same project.
Now iMacs are based on a sort of Intel notebook architecture, they are desktop but not really in the architecture, this is what I believe. The only thing I am thinking of is that the i5 CPu is really making the difference on the MAC while the AMD is digging the whole system...
BTW AMD renders double fast compared to the i5 (8 cores vs 4)
Anyone has an idea...
Thx
By Lady Cherry - 10 Years Ago
I am planning on buy a new pc for all of my Iclone versions(6,5,4,3,2), 3Dxchange versions(3,4,6) and my popvideo versions(1,2). I would want it to work with Carrera as well.  What is a good PC model to fit my needs?
By wires - 10 Years Ago
Lady Cherry (12/17/2015)
I am planning on buy a new pc for all of my Iclone versions(6,5,4,3,2), 3Dxchange versions(3,4,6) and my popvideo versions(1,2). I would want it to work with Carrera as well.  What is a good PC model to fit my needs?


The PC must be powerful enough to run iClone 6. If you can afford it then look for an i7 CPU and a Graphic with at least 4 GB video RAM.

You "might" have problems getting versions 2 and 3 working as a new PC will come with Win 10, and I'm not too sure that the older versions will function. Version 4 "should" be OK to run, and versions 5 and 6 will be no problem. I've no idea what the specs for Carrera are, but you could check that on their Web site. Also be aware that the 64 Bit version of iClone 5, and iClone 6, do not support PopVideo output - it was mentioned somewhere that there may be a possibility of a PopVideo version 3. But with RLs prediction record of late I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

By tylerzambori - 9 Years Ago
Would IClone 6 work on a Radeon nitro R9 380?  Or a nitro r7 370? 

I have an old computer - one of the first generations of quad cores, with 8gb of ram.
a good 650 watt power supply.
It currently has an nvidia gtx 470.

Those radeon cards are directx 12.  I have windows 7 SP1.
By animagic - 9 Years Ago

@tylerzambori: The nVidia-specific stuff such as PhysX would still rely on your CPU.

For the GPU, VRAM is important, so if the card has at least 4GB that would be good. I'm an NVidia/Intel person, so I have no personal experience. But updating my card to one with more VRAM (4GB) helped greatly.

By tylerzambori - 9 Years Ago
Thank you animagic, both of those cards have 4gb. I was just wondering aobut the directx 12 issue.
By animagic - 9 Years Ago
tylerzambori (2/22/2016)
Thank you animagic, both of those cards have 4gb. I was just wondering aobut the directx 12 issue.


I remember now that some people had indeed problems with DirectX 12, but that was under Windows 10. As far as I can make out Windows 7 does not have support for DirectX 12 (which comes with Win 10), so you should be OK. 
By tylerzambori - 9 Years Ago
Thank you!