dangerweenie

twod
You can turn off Polygon Convexing (display options, Geometry tab) for models that are known to be properly convexed, and this will improve playback (mileage will vary depending on the geometry). For me, it about doubled the playback rate of the octopus file.

Hmm, I turned polygon convexing off, also put LOD down to .1 in the viewport settings, still getting max framerate of ~ 4fps.

Do you think this will get better in Mountain Lion? Or is it time for a new computer?

What is your FPS? This is what I have with 12.0.634

see attached screenshot

dangerweenie
Interesting. Are you on OS X? What kind of machine / video card?

hcmistryvfx

dangerweenie
Using Houdini 12 production and daily build.

I did the Alembic SOP, it's a bit faster, but I'm still getting about 1-3 FPS in the viewport whereas in Maya I'm getting ~ 10FPS playback in the viewport.

Mac Pro 4,1 16 GB RAM + ATI Radeon 5870 on OS X Lion.

Thanks for the reply.

hcmistryvfx

dangerweenie
I am having the same trouble with the alembic octopus example scene - I can barely even tumble the camera in Houdini, yet it plays black smoothly and flawlessly in Maya. I'm using OS X Lion, Houdini 12, and Maya 2012.

Does anyone have any advice?

Try importing like this >> Geometry > Alembic SOP and read alembic file.
another way Alembic Archive (Slow because its going to generate hierarchy)
and
Which version of Houdini 12 are you using ?

I am using 12.0.634 and its working fine.
I can easily scrub through timeline

Interesting. Are you on OS X? What kind of machine / video card?

hcmistryvfx

dangerweenie
Using Houdini 12 production and daily build.

I did the Alembic SOP, it's a bit faster, but I'm still getting about 1-3 FPS in the viewport whereas in Maya I'm getting ~ 10FPS playback in the viewport.

Mac Pro 4,1 16 GB RAM + ATI Radeon 5870 on OS X Lion.

Thanks for the reply.

hcmistryvfx

dangerweenie
I am having the same trouble with the alembic octopus example scene - I can barely even tumble the camera in Houdini, yet it plays black smoothly and flawlessly in Maya. I'm using OS X Lion, Houdini 12, and Maya 2012.

Does anyone have any advice?

Try importing like this >> Geometry > Alembic SOP and read alembic file.
another way Alembic Archive (Slow because its going to generate hierarchy)
and
Which version of Houdini 12 are you using ?

I am using 12.0.634 and its working fine.
I can easily scrub through timeline