Echo Boost v2.5.1

[giannis]

Here is another update of Kerkythea, the new version is now called "Echo Boost". Besides the 64-bit build, there are now a lot of optimizations that make it up to 60% faster than the standard Echo!

Changes:
1. New version is now called "Echo Boost", starting with 2.5.1.
2. 32-bit and 64-bit window builds provided with fix for importing 3ds/obj files.
3. Additional aggressive optimizations that boost KT rendering 60% faster!

Here are the plain executables:
32-bit:
64-bit:

Please do not share at any case! We would like to make a nice surprise to KT community (waiting for so long...).

best wishes

wow!
That's great news!
can't wait to try it out

32 bit does NOT get much boost.

64 bit is now SMOKING FAST. how?!

[giannis]

What were the timings?

My tests were actually with 32-bit version using MLT and I got that 60% boost. Perhaps it is not that big for biased engine, but still it should be something notable.

[giannis]

Ok, just saw the timings!

Wow, the 64-bit is really unbelievable fast... that's more than 100% boost

Not sure (yet) what the problem is with 32-bit build, but can you try using only 1 thread? Because when rendering is fast and threads are many, sync may be a problem.

file sizes in kb for MLT-10m33s render time each
5584 - boost32
5598 - boost64
6059 - Echo2008

the images from boost32 and 64 when compared visually were virtually identical noise point per noise point.

echo 2008 is inside the red squares below.

1 thread test - boost is there.
boost is lost multithreading on 32 bit but not 64bit... can we fix that?
image is 640x480

[giannis]

Will this improvement also make it to the SDK and thereby to TwilightRender...??

Yes, of course, Kim.
As KT develops, so does Twilight.
the 64bit v. will not be useable with Twilight, unfortunately, as one can not call the 64bit dll from within SketchUp's 32bit dll.
However, the 64bit v. of KT can serve as a 64 bit "studio".
This is why I'm keen to get multithreading working with the right speed with 32bit Boost. I will test more.

Excellent news...!!

I understand the 64bit issue...
Sooner or later SU will also be available as 64bit and then TWR can take the advantages...

it really works. In this particular scene very pleasing result.
Kerkythea ECHO - 30 minutes
Kerkythea 32-bit boost - 22 minutes. 27% faster!
Kerkythea 64-bit boost - 20 minutes. 33% faster!

Hi Alvydas! I was wondering where you were.

another quickie test

this was testing xfrog 3ds import, materials editor function, etc.
all good so far. boost 32 and 64 are decidedly more clear than echo 2008

biased trial - again
2816x2112 with 07. PMFG high +AA (Kerkythea standard preset)
8THREADS - 3.62GHZ VISTA 64BIT OP. SYS.

boost32 -6m20s
boost64 -6m25s
echo2008 -8m32s

boost 32&64 are solidly 25% faster in biased mode, render results are identical with all 3 images

[giannis]

It is a pity as I waited for more "boost" in biased mode

But perhaps I was asking for too much - I am sure that the unbiased methods get that 50-60% boost clearly though