Refractive Software® is discontinuing Cubix Xpander support

[ROUBAL]

There are other factors non customers obviously don't see or understand.

I agree. It sounds weird imho to see bad opinions from people who haven't tried the device. I think that most people who have bought a Cubix are satisfied of their purchase. I use it with a rather old workstation, connected on a PCIE 4x slot, and it works fine.

My main problem at the beginning was the exporting time for animations, but since I have been told to disable some useless and time consuming settings, the exporting time is rather reasonable.

I can render in full HD (1920x1080) and photorealistic style images in 3 min per frame (including 1 min export) versus 15 min per frame in SD 720x576 on a my 3GHz Quad core CPU (biaised and non photorealistic).

The loading time could be improved with a better motherboard supporting faster PCIE, but as the rendering time is very short compared to previous rendering solution, I can't really complain, and the Cubix really gave to my workstation more than a second life !

[bob30]

Xpander boxes are expensive compared to what?

Not expensive, totally overpriced...

For the same price, you will got big towers with full CPU + graphic cards.

I let you here, have to do other things.

Regards,
bob30

[Carl S.]

Yes our boxes have extended the lives of two $4,000+ Mac Pros by a year or more.
Having a full day down time re-installing all software and setting up new computers would cost us more than a fully loaded Xpander box.
Honestly I have been rendering Iray animations with the boxes lately. Which eliminates the exporting times.
We don't build bargain basement pc's we buy high end workstations and make animations. I can't waste time messing with hardware. To us that is a waste of time and resources.

And another glaring point they are missing, What other solution is there? Especially one that is plug in and go.

Only complaints I have is, I did get the run around during the shipping process and in one box one card is hotter than the other when rendering. The other box they stay almost exactly the same temp.

Seems to me the people who don't have one and are complaining about them don't have much work to do with them in the first place.

[Carl S.]

Xpander boxes are expensive compared to what?

Not expensive, totally overpriced...

For the same price, you will got big towers with full CPU + graphic cards.

I let you here, have to do other things.

Regards,
bob30

I take it you are talking about building your own machine for $1,000?
So for $2,000 you can get a high end 8-12 core machine with a display graphics card and 2 gtx 480's installed in it?
I am certainly open to that suggestion.
You are also ignoring all other costs that that solution would create in a demanding work environment.

[Reality4]

Reading about all those customers that are happy with the Xpander, I would like to hear from Radiance why Refractive Software discontinued their support for it, in much more detail if possible.

Moreover, I would also like to hear Cubix's point of view in the matter.

Charles

[radiance]

Hi guys,

We are partnering with a company with cheaper production capabilities and much more options.
The support for them is also lacking, we've hread a lot of customers who can't get hold of a support person.

Yours,
Radiance

[pixelrush]

I see on the Cubix site they see things somewhat differently...
http://www.cubixgpu.com/Blog/1/27
Possibly it would not be a good idea to air dirty washing here.

[angelblame]

i'm a student in CG, and cubix is too expensive for me, so if "refractive" can find a cheaper solution, i'm pretty sure i'll buy.

[Reality4]

I see on the Cubix site they see things somewhat differently...
http://www.cubixgpu.com/Blog/1/27
Possibly it would not be a good idea to air dirty washing here.

I agree. And looking at all those (happy) Octane customers that already bought an Xpander, it's best that Refractive and Cubix to sort out matters privately, remove all public statements, shake hands and part as business partners in a normal fashion. That is the professional thing to do and puts the customers first.

Besides, it's never too late to reconcile and find a compromise, right?

[angelblame]

I see on the Cubix site they see things somewhat differently...
http://www.cubixgpu.com/Blog/1/27
Possibly it would not be a good idea to air dirty washing here.

I agree. And looking at all those (happy) Octane customers that already bought an Xpander, it's best that Refractive and Cubix to sort out matters privately, remove all public statements, shake hands and part as business partners in a normal fashion. That is the professional thing to do and puts the customers first.

Besides, it's never too late to reconcile and find a compromise, right?

You are right, but, it's difficult for us to know who is wrong and who is right, we don't have the numbers, i mean we don't know at all how much octane customers bought cubix, and how much aren't satisfied with the product. Anyway it doesn't change anything for those who have cubix, on their website it's clearly written that the customer services, etc... will stay unchanged.