FreeForm Systems - System Requirements
It is our policy to continually evaluate and qualify new computer systems and hardware subsystems as they become available. For the latest information about hardware compatibility
and qualification notes, please revisit this page or contact your local SensAble reseller.
Product:
FreeForm Modeling and FreeForm Modeling Plus systems
Current Shipping Versions:
FreeForm Modeling 9.1, 32-bit
FreeForm Modeling Plus 9.1.2, 32-bit
FreeForm Modeling 9.1, 64-bit
FreeForm Modeling Plus 9.1.2, 64-bit
Important: Using the FreeForm system with one or more discrete components of a fully qualified configuration (graphics card, for example) as part of an a la carte configuration does not imply qualification of any kind, partial or otherwise.
Graphics Cards - Want information about compatible graphics cards? Visit Support > Graphics Cards.
FreeForm Modeling & Modeling Plus - 32-bit
FreeForm Modeling & Modeling Plus - 64-bit
Qualified 64-bit systems
Running FreeForm systems on Laptops
Important Notes
The FreeForm Modeling system is available with either the PHANTOM Omni or PHANTOM Desktop haptic device. The FreeForm Modeling Plus system is available with the PHANTOM Desktop device ONLY.
Running the FreeForm 32-bit requires an Intel-based workstation with the following:
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150 MB of free hard disk space
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1280 x 960 or higher display resolution
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One of the following:
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PHANTOM Device Driver v4.2.73 or later
Additionally your machine must meet the following:
* The PHANTOM Omni device is IEEE 1394a compliant. However, SensAble is aware of customers that have experienced difficulties. See Important Notes below for more information.
The 64-bit editions of the v9.0 software are designed to run on the Microsoft® Windows® XP x64 OS and suitably upgraded hardware. Running the system requires the following:
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10 GB of free hard disk space
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1280 x 960 or higher display resolution
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One of the following:
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PHANTOM Device Driver v4.2.73 or later
Additionally your machine will need to meet the minimum system requirements:
Minimum System Requirements
** Windows Vista 64 is not currently supported
SensAble has tested and qualified the following specific configurations. Choosing one of these configurations will ensure the best possible experience when running the FreeForm 64-bit Edition.
HP xw8400 Workstation with (2) Intel Dual-Core Xeon 5150/ 2.66 GHz, 4MB L2, 1333 MHz FSB4 GB FBD DDR2 – 667MHz RAM
HP xw6400 Workstation with (2) Intel Dual-Core Xeon 5150/ 2.66GHZ DC B0
HP xw9300 Workstation with (2) 64-bit AMD Opteron™ 252 2.6 GHz processors with 1GHz-HT
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8GB DDR2-400MHz RAM
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74GB SATA 10,000 RPM Hard Drive
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NVIDIA Quadro FX3450 256MB PCIe
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Windows XP Professional x64
The use of the FreeForm Modeling or FreeForm Modeling Plus systems on laptop computers is not officially supported. Although it is possible to achieve the minimum system requirements on certain high quality laptops, the overall performance will not compare to the levels achievable on dual CPU desktop configurations. SensAble Technologies will continue to monitor a variety of laptops for qualification and will post supported models as they are determined.
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SensAble has tested a variety of hardware platforms in combination with the graphics subsystems listed above. While we make every attempt to be as thorough as possible, hardware manufacturers change their products frequently and may be shipping newer products or have discontinued active support for others.
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Some SensAble FreeFrom users have had success running system configurations that deviate from the above. In such cases, these configurations are not officially supported by SensAble Technologies, Inc.
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The PHANTOM Omni device is IEEE 1394a compliant. However, SensAble is aware of customers that have experienced difficulties with the PHANTOM Omni device with certain IEEE 1394a chipsets such as those from Texas Instruments, Agere, and NEC. At SensAble, we have had great success with VIA chipsets. The reasons behind this are complex but our experience is that certain manufacturer's implementations of the IEEE specification for 1394a can vary widely. Manufacturers may use an assortment of chipsets when making their cards. Our test results indicate that VIA exceeds most or all IEEE standards. PHANTOM Omni devices, which require high I/O for the servo loop maintained for haptics, behave well with brand name manufacturers that use VIA chips. "No name" FireWire® cards and others do not test as well and packet loss is sometimes observed. SensAble does not officially qualify any particular manufacturer's card and chipset but is working with the IEEE organization and industry leaders to improve 1394. Additionally, SensAble highly recommends that customers using the PHANTOM Omni device purchase a 1394a FireWire card with VIA chipset.
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