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Autodesk Maya is a next-gen visual effects and 3D animation software that enables studios to create visually stunning videos and gaming environments with life-like characters and realistic effects.
It is a graphics-intensive platform that requires parallel processing capabilities for fast rendering and high-definition previews. However, most studios make the mistake of running Autodesk Maya on traditional CPU-based VDI, resulting in low frame rates and an unresponsive viewpoint, stretching the production timeline.
A better alternative is GPU-powered VDI, which provides GPU capabilities over the internet on remote devices. VDI GPU is a comprehensive solution that overcomes major challenges of performance, collaboration, stability, and access.
In this blog, we will discuss the major reasons why studios worldwide must transition to a VDI GPU setup.
1. Efficient 3D Modeling
Autodesk Maya enables the creation of interactive 3D models with advanced features, such as Smart Extrude and UV editing. Businesses can also build polygonal models for cinematic assets and game characters with intricate meshes.
In a CPU-based VDI, the suboptimal processing power often leads to delayed mesh updates and viewpoint crashes. GPU VDI enables the development of polygonal models for real-time processing of dense meshes. It maintains smooth viewpoint interaction irrespective of the complex geometry.
2. Reduced Rendering Times
Rendering takes a significant amount of time in any Autodesk Maya project in a CPU VDI. It is because the CPU processes tasks sequentially, which slows down rendering, especially in complex scenes.
Autodesk Maya integrates with the Arnold Renderer, which supports GPUs, including NVIDIA Quadro Mxxx and GeForce 10xx, enabling parallel processing for faster rendering. Faster rendering empowers professionals to make adjustments quickly and produce final frames faster.
3. No-lag Viewpoint Performance
Autodesk Maya’s Viewpoint is the workspace where artists edit, view, animate, and model. Every rotation, zoom, mesh edit, and camera move depends on how efficiently Maya can draw graphics in real time.
It requires real-time graphics rendering and efficient shading/lighting previews. With a VDI CPU that does not support parallel processing, handling such a high frame rate is not possible.
A GPU-powered VDI, on the other hand, ensures lag-free viewpoint interactions, even for high-resolution textures. Consequently, artists can work uninterrupted.
4. Accelerated Simulations
Gaming and animation require fluid simulations and real-life movements. Moreover, complex scenes require high-resolution textures and effects for minute details, such as hair, fire, and expressions. However, these effects require millions of data points per frame.
A CPU VDI is not capable of such intensive processing, which often results in low video quality and poor rendering. In contrast, a VDI GPU offers faster simulation previews, with minimum caching time. It enables VFX artists to reduce the wait time between iterations and produce a high-quality product.
Run Autodesk Maya on a high-performance GPU-powered VDI and experience real-time viewport interaction, faster Arnold rendering, and zero frame drops—even in complex scenes.
5. Seamless Animations and Rig Playback
Animation professionals need to scrub timelines, test positions, reiterate motion curves, and preview sequences to create the perfect video. However, using a VDI CPU often leads to frame drops and delayed responses during playback.
A GPU VDI with multiple cores ensures real-time playback of complex rigs with multiple controllers and expressions. Moreover, you can add deformations to make characters life-like.
GPU or CPU for Autodesk Maya: A Comparison
| Parameters | GPU | CPU |
| Viewpoint Interactions | Smooth interactions without lag | Unresponsive performance, especially in complex scenes |
| Rendering | Supports Arnold renderer for fast rendering | Slow rendering time |
| Animation | Streamlines rib playback and timeline scrubbing | Dropped frames and delayed feedback |
| 3D Modeling | Facilitates polygon modeling for complex models | Dense meshes cause frequent slowdowns |
| Simulations | Faster previews and support for high-resolution textures | Long wait times for simulation updates |
| Stability | Stable performance, even for remote users | Lagging and unresponsive for remote users |
Choose Hosted VDI GPU for Optimized Operations
A GPU-powered VDI is essential for enabling complex projects with natural color grading, realistic effects, and high-resolution textures. However, deploying on-premise VDI presents its own set of challenges, including heavy investments and IT dependencies.
A better solution is to opt for a third-party VDI provider with GPU support. Here are some benefits you reap from hosted VDI services.
1. Diverse GPU Options
To run Autodesk Maya in-house, you need a physical GPU-powered machine, which limits your flexibility to change or upgrade the GPU as your business requirements evolve. With hosted VDI, you can choose from a wide range of GPUs, such as NVIDIA and AMD.
As these are virtual GPUs, you can change them at any time, without any physical replacements. For instance, if you want to upgrade from NVIDIA GTX 970 to NVIDIA GeForce 1050, it can be done instantly. You can also change the GPU configuration in real time.
2. End-to-end Data Security
Hosted VDI GPU providers deploy a multi-layered security architecture to ensure total protection of your project data.
Key features include multi-factor authentication, 256-bit data encryption, distributed firewalls, access management, Intrusion detection and prevention (IDPS), and managed EDR. Moreover, they host Maya and data in Tier-5 data centers with multi-level authorization, CCTV surveillance, and on-site security personnel.
3. Business Continuity
Hosted VDI providers implement a robust business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) plan to ensure uninterrupted operations, even in the event of major incidents, such as data breaches and natural disasters. Autodesk Maya and project data are replicated in multiple data centers to ensure availability, even if one location is affected.
4. Round-the-clock Support
GPU VDI hosting providers offer 24/7/365 technical support via call, chat, and email to ensure quick response and resolution of your queries. It relieves you of the need to deploy a dedicated in-house IT team.
5. Flexible Pricing Plans
Hosted VDI providers offer flexible pricing plans to meet the requirements of different businesses. Some providers also give the option to customize the plan according to your project. The plans are based on a pay-as-you-go model, charging you based on usage.
6. Unlimited Storage and Backup
As you manage multiple projects, storage requirements evolve. Hosted VDI providers offer unlimited storage for all your assets and data. Moreover, you get automated data solutions for easy retrieval from remote locations.
7. Cost-Effective Solution
Hosted VDI GPU for Autodesk Maya relieves you of the need to procure expensive GPU-supported systems. Consequently, you don’t need to spend on IT tasks, such as deployment, replacements, and upgrades.
8. Fully Managed IT
VDI hosting providers handle all IT management tasks, including setup, upgrades, maintenance, and monitoring. They have an expert IT team that resolves backend issues without disrupting your operations. The IT outsourcing enables studios to focus on more core operations.
VDI+GPU+Cloud Hosting: The Perfect Combination
For constantly evolving new-age applications like Autodesk Maya, the traditional CPU is not enough. You require the parallel processing capabilities of a GPU for faster renders, quick previews, realistic effects, and life-like motions.
Moreover, a VDI GPU enhances your operational capabilities with benefits, such as remote access, multi-user collaboration, and scalability. On top of that, outsourcing VDI GPU relieves you of time-consuming IT tasks.
If you want to experience how hosted VDI GPU services for Autodesk Maya can transform your creative efforts, you can opt for AceCloud Hosting’s free trial. Ace Cloud Hosting offers a GPU-optimized cloud designed for Autodesk Maya. Opt for your preferred GPUs in a scalable environment and see the difference.
Upgrade to a GPU-accelerated VDI built specifically for demanding Autodesk Maya workflows, with scalable NVIDIA-powered performance, remote access, enterprise-grade security, and fully managed support.
