V7 graphics performance deteriorates after STEP import

Rhino
1

First, the good news. STEP import in V7 is almost twice as fast as V6 from what my testing shows. That’s great! But…

I’ve noticed that the graphics performance takes a hit after importing a STEP file. It didn’t do this in V6 (videos to follow).

But first the details: Running SR1, and the very latest graphics drivers for my Nvidia quadro K5000 card, with the 3D settings set to Workstation app -Dynamic Streaming. The STEP file is about 67Mb. The framerate is set to 5 in both versions.

In both these videos, the STEP import has just completed. Notice how smooth V6 rotates, zooms and pans:

Now lets look at the exact same file in V7:

Has anyone else noticed this? I’ve seen this on multiple STEP files imported into V7. I can share this file privately with the developers if necessary.

Thanks,

Dan

2

Hi Dan - please send me the file directly or send to www.rhino3d.com/upload, to my attention.

-Pascal

3

I believe STEP import is assigning per-face colors in V7 which is currently not very fast to draw. If you run RemovePerFaceColors you may see an improvement in performance

4

Hi @stevebaer, @pascal,

I tried as you suggested running the RemovePerFaceColors on the imported model but I don’t see a difference in performance (it didn’t get better). I have just sent a link to the STEP file to Pascal.

Thanks,

Dan

5

Per-face colors may exist in blocks. You may have to explode to remove these. Just a guess though.

Also try using the 7.2 release candidate. There were some performance improvements with respect to blocks in 7.2

6

FWIW, so far the file behaves fine here…
(7.3)
-Pascal

7

Are you on 7.2 Pascal?

8

7.3… I’ll try 7.1.

7.1 testMaxSpeed is indeed much slower than V6 - 5 vs. 1.66 seconds, shaded, default viewports.
Things are smoother tumbling the view in 6… now I know what I am looking for. it is not as bad as in Dan’s clip though.
I’ll see if there is a difference to 7.2.

@DanBayn, @stevebaer - testMaxSpeed is not better in 7.2 compared to 7.1. I think I am seeing the reduced but still not right non-RhinoCam performance.

-Pascal

9

Hi Steve,

I did try exploding but the results were the same. Pascal narrowed it down to my RhinoCAM plug-in. If I disable the plug-in it’s much better, but still not as peppy as V6. I’ll grab that RC and try again. I will probably need to get Uday from MecSoft involved.

Thanks,

Dan

1 Like
10

Hi @stevebaer, @pascal,

Here is some follow-up:

I have upgraded to the latest RC, and disabled RhinoCAM. I did find another job that behaved just like the first one. So with RhinoCAM disabled, and the blocks exploded, the RemovePerFaceColors did make a big difference. I would say it’s as quick as V6.

I did get feedback from MecSoft, and the jist of it was to wait for RhinoCAM 2021 which, historically, is due out any time now.

Thanks,

Dan

11

Hi Dan - good to know - thanks for the extra info.

-Pascal