Processing AVATAR (WETA)

[DreamWalks]

Hopefully this has not been posted, I didn't see it anywhere. There have been similar articles I have seen, but this article has more applicable images and specs about the WETA's setup to process AVATAR.

Enjoy! - Processing AVATAR

[Friend of Pandora]

Cool stuff, thanks DreamWalks!

Water cooling sounds like an interesting approach. Not sure how much location has to do with it being effective though...

So if my math is right based on the article, the entire 166 minute movie was 2.868 terabytes? I'm not sure whether I thought it would be bigger or smaller than that, but somehow that just doesn't seem like an incredible number for such an incredible movie.

[ProfoundHeart]

Cool stuff, thanks DreamWalks!

Water cooling sounds like an interesting approach. Not sure how much location has to do with it being effective though...

So if my math is right based on the article, the entire 166 minute movie was 2.868 terabytes? I'm not sure whether I thought it would be bigger or smaller than that, but somehow that just doesn't seem like an incredible number for such an incredible movie.

I agree.

[DreamWalks]

Cool stuff, thanks DreamWalks!

Water cooling sounds like an interesting approach. Not sure how much location has to do with it being effective though...

So if my math is right based on the article, the entire 166 minute movie was 2.868 terabytes? I'm not sure whether I thought it would be bigger or smaller than that, but somehow that just doesn't seem like an incredible number for such an incredible movie.

I agree, but ~3 terabytes is still insanely large, at 12MBs a FRAME, that impressed me. Just imagine if they had a higher framerate than 24.

I have to admit, I would enjoy the 'raw' ~3 TB version sitting around, just waiting to be watched.

[guyguy]

i call that kick *** technology

[Humble]

I'm willing to bet the nearly 3TB version is what you see at 4k cinema. If I remember right they need some high end storage for that.

[palulukanmakto]

I think these guys just came to the leading position in the CGI industry. Thanks to Gollum Congrats.

I just wonder whether they count 12 MB per frame in 2D version or in 3D

I wish I had these very terabytes on my harddrives.

[Humble]

After going through the article, I've worked with almost all the hardware they are using and the HP's at least could be faster. I'm wondering if they have a power density limit or a cooling limit because of the water cooling, both may be related. Maybe I should try to find work at a render farm

[Fridge Magnet]

Cool find DreamWalks thanks for the upload

[Iluvrien]

Water cooling does have its limits, Humble. The thermodynamic uptake of heat is related to the exact design of the units i.e. how the heat is getting from the components to the cooling fluid, in addition to the flow rate. I wish I could get a look at the designs though, I would be interested in how it is put together. Water is definitely a better option since the thermal disffusivity is higher than air (about 68 times higher, I think), heat is taken up more quickly and so can be removed from the system more quickly.

I wonder if they will switch to something even more efficient, like oils.

Good article!