GPU memory, what is Scene Size?

[Smile of Fury]

Could someone please explain to me exactly what determines the scene size, as it relates to loading onto a GPU for GPU-based rendering? I use 3ds Max and Vray.

 

I know the entire scene must be loaded onto the GPU, I just don't know how to figure out how big a scene is.

 

Any help would be appreciated. Haven't been able to Google the answer. I might be asking the wrong question.

[Eric]

This is something I recently asked on the Chaosgroup forum.

 

http://www.chaosgroup.com/forums/vbulletin/showthread.php?68827-How-does-the-GPU-memory-and-scene-size-relate

[Smile of Fury]

Thanks Eric! That's definitely helpful, and makes sense.

 

I guess you haven't come across that formula that Alan said he didn't have? Seems like it should be something based on vertices/faces + bitmaps + lights + who knows what.

[Eric]

Nope - never got any additional information. It seems like I remember seeing memory usage numbers displayed in the log window for the Production renderer, but I'm not sure how accurate, and at what stage that number is pulled. Plus, it would include geometry that is calculated on-the-fly, like V-Ray Planes, Fur poly's, etc., which GPU ignores anyway.