WARRENTON, Va., May 1, 2002 - SPEC/GPC's Application Performance Characterization (SPECapc) project group has released two new benchmarks for systems running 3ds max 4.2 and SolidWorks 2001Plus software. Both benchmarks are available for free on this web site. SPECapc members' initial results for SPECapc for 3ds max 4.2 are available on the site today; results from SPECapc for SolidWorks 2001Plus are expected to be released May 15.

SPECapc for 3ds max 4.2 is an updated benchmark that runs on the latest version of the popular 3D animation package. It uses the same models and scenarios as the 3ds max benchmark that SPECapc introduced last year. The benchmark was originally developed by CAT Production (www.CAT-zentrum.de), a German computer animation and special effects studio, and updated by SPECapc.

SPECapc for SolidWorks 2001Plus is a new benchmark developed by SolidWorks. It represents typical working patterns of a SolidWorks 2001Plus CAD/CAM user and runs on Microsoft Windows 2000. The benchmark uses different-sized CAD/CAM solid models, the largest of which is an engine model with 2.25 million vertices.

"We strive to continually raise the bar for graphics application benchmarking," says George Chaltas of Intel, SPECapc's chair. "Working with SolidWorks and other ISVs, we are able to ensure that our benchmarks measure performance based on real-world application use."

SPECapc continues to seek additional benchmarks for leading software programs in three key application areas: CAD/CAM/CAE, visualization and digital content creation (DCC). SPECapc benchmarks and updated performance results are offered for free on the GPC News web site.

SPECapc is a project group of the Graphics Performance Characterization (GPC) Group, which in turn is part of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corp. (SPEC). SPEC is a non-profit corporation formed to establish, maintain and endorse a standardized set of relevant benchmarks that can be applied to the newest generation of high-performance computers. SPEC's membership includes computer hardware and software vendors, and leading universities and research facilities worldwide.

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