Maximize CATIA Performance on ATI graphics using Vertex Buffer Objects

Pamela Taylor – Update August 2009

Introduction: For CATIA V5R18 SP4 (or later) projects that require graphics intensive operations, ATI graphics delivers maximum
performance when CATIA is configured to use Vertex Buffer Objects (VBO).

Background
Dassault Systèmes (DS) working with AMD developed an implementation of VBO starting with CATIA V5R18 SP2 for ATI graphics.
VBO is a buffer where CATIA stores vertex data on the graphics processing unit (GPU) memory. Storing data on the GPU allows
for direct access resulting in faster graphics performance.
The amount of VBO buffer memory available is limited only by the physical amount of video memory on the graphics adapter. HP
supports the ATI FirePro V3700, V5700 and V7750. The ATI FirePro V7750 which offers a large 1GB memory is certified by DS
on the Z800 with Windows XP 32-bit. The ATI FirePro V5700 with 512 MB memory has also been certified by DS on the Z400
with Windows XP 32-bit.

The VBO graphics optimization requires exporting the following environment variable in the CATIA V5 or CATIA V6 install: set
CAT_VBO_ALLOWED=1.

Results
The CATGTSPerformance benchmark measures
graphics performance with and without VBO as
shown on the right using CATIA V5R18 SP4.

DS provides the CATGTS Performance benchmark

to measure graphics performance for
part/assembly rotation, translation, zoom and
flyby animations for rendering shading and edges.
“Millions of polygons” (MP) is an indicator of the
size of the geometry being rendered. The data has
been normalized with No VBO on the Y axis.

With each model tested here, VBO provides

significant performance gains. It is important to
know that CATIA versions before V5R18 SP4
actually obtained poorer results with VBO turned
on. Therefore, it is important to use this version or
later to obtain optimal VBO performance.

Conclusion
The DS VBO implementation for CATIA delivers increased graphics performance. For best results, it is important to use CATIA
V5R18 SP4 or later.

System Configurations Referenced in Benchmarks:

HP Z800 Workstation 3.2 GHz, Windows XP Professional x32 Edition; 4 GB memory, ATI FirePro v7750, Graphics driver 8.453.1.3

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