Re: $399 Compaq converts two mac users

Mayor of R'lyeh wrote:
On Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:02:19 -0400, "Dr. zara"
<docz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> chose to bless us with the following wisdom:

"Steve Mackay" <steve_mackay@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:45f81338$0$17002$4c368faf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dr. zara wrote:
"Steve Mackay" <steve_mackay@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:45f80be7$0$16653$4c368faf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dr. zara wrote:
"Lawson English" <LawsonE@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:JHSJh.329730$IL1.215548@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dr. zara wrote:
"Steve Mackay" <steve_mackay@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:45f7ef0d$0$24703$4c368faf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dr. zara wrote:
I loaned my $399 Compaq out to a couple of model makers last week, because
their macBook couldn't cut it. They came back today with two HP VISTA
laptops. They are shitcanning the macs - too many incompatibility issues.
Use "real" tools for "real" work. macs are useless toys.
This is a subject I know a great deal about. I do 3D modeling for a living. I can tell you, for certain, you're not going to be very productive with a $399 compaq running Vista.
The Compaq is not running VISTA - the new HP's are.


While I whole heartedly agree, OS X is not the tool of choice for modelers, it can be done with a few outstanding tools such as Alias, Ashlar/Vellum Cobalt, etc...

But a $399 Compaq will have integrated video, and not a whole bunch of ram.

Almost EVERY 3D modeling app runs under OpenGL. OpenGL apps run 84% to 98% *SLOWER* in Vista than they did in XP.

Even using a Core2Duo 2.23GHZ 4 gig of ram, Nvidia GeForce 7950GT/512 with a pair of WD Raptor 10K Hard Drives in a striped array is frustrating under Vista while 3D modeling.

In my particular Cad/Cam application, you can click on an object, and watch Vista redraw surface by surface to highlight them, where in XP, doing the same thing is instantaneously selected and the whole object is highlighted.

This was no accident on Microsoft's part IMHO. They want to force the Mcad market to start using it's proprietary DirectX routines VS the nice, cross platform OpenGL.

So you want to give us some specifics on what application they were using under OSX, and which one under Vista? What kind of video was in the "$399 compaq" ?
I don't know what they were using in OSX. The files sent to the Compaq were from auto cad.
Well, um. AUtoCad doesn't run on the Mac.
Well, um. That's why they went to HP's. macs are almost useless.
Umm, Macs run this just fine
http://www.ashlar.com/sections/products/cobalt/cobalt.html
It will open, and properly translate autocad drawings as good as anything outside of Autocad itself. It's also more productive than anything Autodesk has ever created.
Ummm, why bother to add another app in the loop. Just to use a mac? Auto Cad runs just fine.
I see you've never used Autocad and their "lets re-invent the wheel" way of doing things. Sorry Zara, but Autocad is a joke. Especially in the modeling department.

I use a product other than Autocad every day. Not on a Mac either. And I get by just fine, as do millions of other folks using Mcad apps that aren't made by Autodesk.

Personally, I believe, like most of your posts, this was nothing but complete bull***.
Yes, a compelling argument. Why is it that the vast majority, use Auto Cad?

AutoCAD was the first serious 2D drafting program released. Its what
most places use because its what most draftsmen get trained on. I'd
disagree that its a joke. Its a fine 2D drafting program. Its definitely not a 3D modeller though. Its capabilities in that
regard are pretty limited. However AutoDesk never claimed that it was
meant for that. It has other apps geared for that.
Myself, I prefer MicroStation for 2D drafting even though I usually
use TurboCAD due to cost considerations. I only do drafting part time
anymore being semi-retired so its not worth it to me to lay out the
cash that Bentley wants.
I never really did much 3D drafting. It was just starting to go
mainstream as I was slowing down.
I've used SolidWorks and liked it. I've also used Catia. If I were
just starting out I think I'd get a hold of a copy of Catia and learn
that thing inside and out. Its a helluva program.



Catia is important if you're doing any work for Boeing and Chrysler.
UG is important if you want to do work with Ford.
Pro/E is important if you want to work with just about anyone else :)
.