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SIDE EFFECTS SOFTWARE RELEASES HQUEUE
Now Artists and Studios can access the power of the TORONTO: November 19, 2009 - Side Effects Software, an industry leader in 3D animation and visual effects software, is pleased to announce the public beta release of new artist-friendly HQueue cloud computing tools. Studios and individuals who are looking for an artist-friendly way to harness the processing power of Amazon’s EC2 compute cloud will now be able to launch renderings and simulations from right inside Houdini. “Studios and artists can for the first time expand their computing power quickly and securely without worrying about buying new computers or finding space for an ever-expanding farm,” says Kim Davidson, President and CEO, Side Effects Software. “In addition, students and artists using Houdini Apprentice HD can let HQueue work for them on the cloud while leaving their workstation free for day-to-day work.” While the HQueue cloud has clear benefits for Houdini users, it can also offer a path for other Digital artists. Houdini Master, Houdini Escape and Houdini Apprentice HD can all import FBX or Collada files from packages such as Maya, 3D Studio Max, Sketch-up, Z-Brush and Poser. Houdini’s Mantra renderer can then be used to render these scenes on the cloud. More and more studios are discovering the performance benefits of Houdini Mantra and with access to cloud computing tools things will only get faster. Mantra includes micropolygon, raytraced or physically-based rendering as well as depth of field, fast motion blur, high dynamic range image support, deep raster files and high quality displacement mapping. Renderings can be distributed on up to 20 machines while simulations can be set up on a single machine. Distributed fluid simulations are planned for a future release of the cloud computing tools. HQueue on the Amazon EC2 Compute Cloud Earlier this year, Side Effects Software announced HQueue, a Python-based job manager which can distribute Houdini jobs and Mantra renderings to local render farms. The same HQueue technology is used by Houdini to give artists easy access to the Amazon EC2 Compute Cloud. To get started, artists simply add an HQueue node into their Houdini scene then point it to the Cloud. The scene files are then organized and uploaded to the Amazon network where HQueue is preloaded and ready to render shots and run simulations. When using the cloud, artists can choose from several configurations based on memory and processing power. A 32-bit machine with 1.7 GB of RAM is only 50¢ per machine per hour while a 64-bit machine with 7.5 GB of RAM is only $1.99 per machine per hour. These rates include the base Amazon costs and licensing fees for the Houdini software tools. Other configurations with even more memory are also available. In addition to per hour rates, there are minimal costs for uploading and downloading the files at around 10¢ to 17¢ per GB. “The cloud offers a cost effective way of expanding your processing power without impacting your current IT infrastructure,” says Paul Salvini, CTO, Side Effects Software. “Render farms often sit idle because they need to be ready for peak demand. With the cloud, you only pay for what you use and this creates a much more scalable back end. And for Apprentice HD users, the addition of just a single computer can make all the difference when rendering out animations for a demo reel or finishing up a school project.” Win Back up to $100 of Cloud Time!! The beta testing for the cloud begins right away and will run until December 11th, 2009. At that point a feedback questionnaire will be available online. Everyone who fills out this questionnaire before December 15th, 2009 will be entered in a draw to win back up to $100 of time spent using the cloud. There will be ten prizes available and the winners will be announced on December 21st, 2009. The final gold release of the HQueue cloud computing tools is planned for January 2010. Visit sidefx.com for more information. About Houdini The Houdini family of animation software offers digital artists an unprecedented level of power, flexibility and control based on award-winning procedural technology. The comprehensive feature set includes: modeling, rigging, animation, particle effects, dynamics, compositing, integrated rendering, and more. All Houdini applications work together seamlessly and are available for the Mac OS X, Linux and Windows operating systems. Houdini has been used to create stunning digital animation in blockbuster films, including: Avatar, 2012, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Terminator Salvation, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Monsters vs. Aliens, Coraline, Watchmen, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Bolt, The Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Superman Returns, The Wild, X-Men: The Last Stand, Spider-Man (1, 2 & 3), the Harry Potter series, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Matrix trilogy and more. About Side Effects Software Established in 1987, Side Effects Software is a world leader in the development of advanced 3D animation and special effects software for use in film, commercials and video games. Side Effects Software leads the field of procedural animation with its unique, award-winning Houdini technology. Houdini is used by numerous digital content creation leaders including: Disney Feature Animation, PSYOP, Double Negative, Framestore-CFC, Asylum FX, Guerilla Games, EA, The Mill, Method Studios, C.O.R.E., Digital Domain, Rhythm and Hues, and Sony Pictures Imageworks among others.
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