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Author Topic: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm  (Read 9229 times)

LE1050

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mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« on: June 01, 2011, 09:28:58 AM »
I've set up a forest using a mix of mr proxies as custom objects. They render fine on my two workstations (image attached) but when it gets rendered via my little farm the trees dont render at all (image attached).

I can see the mr proxies that I have used to create the forest (when "hide custom objects before rendering" is unticked). Also I can render teapots as custom objects. So I know the render slave machines can both render mr proxies and that forest pro is working on them.

Does anyone know why forest pro is not rendering mr proxies on my render slaves?


iToo

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2011, 09:59:31 AM »

What Forest and Max version do you use ? and what is the exact path of the proxy files ?

Carlos Quintero
iToo Software

lukx

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2011, 11:06:04 AM »
make sure you're using UNC paths

LE1050

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2011, 01:36:02 PM »
3ds Max design 2011 64bit and ForestPro 3.4.? (I'll have to check tomorrow).

I know the unc paths are correct because I can see the mr proxies I used to create the forest, even in the render that fails (see at the bottom of the second image).

iToo

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2011, 05:46:41 PM »

I'm making some tests using the same configuration, but i cannot reproduce the problem here.

Please, try adding the path where are located the proxies to Customize->Configure User Paths->External files in one of the slave nodes, and tell me the result. If you can't load Max on the slave nodes, edit the file '3dsmax.ini' and add the path to the [BitmapDirs] section. The file is stored here:

Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\3dsMax\2011 - 64bit\enu

Windows 7 and Vista: C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2011 - 64bit\enu

Carlos Quintero
iToo Software

LE1050

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2011, 01:57:23 AM »
all machines are running 3ds max design 2011-64bit with SP1. They are also running Forest Pro 3.4.1.

I've added the user path where the .mib file is located (\\sydfp02\Civ$\10000-001\Viz-3D\Projects\Marketing\tree test\) to the slave node machine.

I can open the scene on the slave machine and render with trees. If I net render from the slave machine the same thing happens (the workstation machine renders trees while the slave machine doesnt).

The only possbile differences between the workstation machine and the slave machine is the user name that is running the 3dsmax.exe service when rendering. ie. my workstation machine is running the network render in the task manager under the user name sshepherd (my login name) while the render slave is running under (administrator) Im unable to login to the render slaves under my personal user account.


iToo

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2011, 12:26:28 PM »

Ok, what type of network rendering are you using: Backburner or Mental Ray bucket rendering ?

My previous tests were using Backburner, i want to be sure that we are checking the same issue.

Carlos Quintero
iToo Software

LE1050

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2011, 02:44:06 PM »
Backburner

I'm happy to zip up the scene file and send if you think it will help?
« Last Edit: June 02, 2011, 02:46:13 PM by LE1050 »

iToo

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2011, 06:54:23 PM »

Yes, please send us the file. Probably the problem will not be on the scene, but we can take a look to it.

I also just sent to you by e-mail a custom patch for Forest Pro 3.4.1. It uses a alternative method to locate the .mib files. Please test it and tell me if there is some difference.

Carlos Quintero
iToo Software

LE1050

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2011, 01:43:06 AM »
updating the dlo files seems to have worked!!! mr proxies are now rendering on the slave node machines.

I'll update the entire farm with the new dlo file and render my real scene next week. Will update you with the results.

Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou!!!


p.s I'd love to know what was causing the issue? backburner hasnt behaved properly at my work for ages. When I submit a job to the backburner que I have to manually add all my scene files and maps to the .zip file on the manager machine. all UNC pathing is correct and 'include maps' doesnt work... I think it has something to do with user accounts and permissions etc.

I hate IT at my work >:(




iToo

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Re: mr proxies dont render on renderfarm
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2011, 01:43:11 PM »

I'm glad that the patch worked. :)

Really it was our fault: in the latest Max versions the management of external files and user paths have changed, and it is required that all plugins uses a specific function before assigning any external path. We were not using this function on certain step of the Mental Ray proxies creation.

Theorically this only should affect to files or maps that are not available on its default path, but it seems to fail also in other configurations (although now always).

Probably similar issues in backburner may be caused because other plugins have the same problem. Of course, we will check the code of our plugins to be sure that there are not other functions affected.

Carlos Quintero
iToo Software