- This topic has 8 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 9 months ago by
Leonardo Bernardini.
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Posted in: Muster usage
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28th April 2008 at 5:14 pm #14249Hello all,
Would any one be able to advise a strictly I.T. guy in how to set up a 3D Studio Max 9 job for rendering? I’ve never used the program so I don’t know the first thing to do.
I know it’s asking for a lot but some simple step-by-step instructions that describe how to setup the project and save it would be great.
Thanks!
Dan
26th May 2008 at 10:42 am #14821Could you explain us exactly what kind of issues are you experiencing ?
4th June 2008 at 3:59 pm #14836Hi Leonardo,
I’m pretty sure the issue I’m experiencing is related to the way the project is “set” within 3DS Max and I’m working with one of our 3DSMax instructors on this now.
Thanks for the reply- I’ll definitely update you when I have more information or additional questions.
Thanks,
Dan
dembry@aii.edu
4th June 2008 at 11:14 pm #14838Hi Leonardo,
The issue is primarily one of how to compose the 3DS Max job before subitting it to the farm. Since I’ve never used 3DS Max, I’m on an impossibly steep learning curve.
What I need are step-by-step instructions that apply to 3DS Max, much like the Muster user manual (v 5.3) provides (“Preparing a Maya job for network rendering”).
The instructor I mentioned in my previous post seems to only be familiar with using Backburner for rendering. Obviously, I’d prefer to use Muster for all our rendering but I may have to setup a Backburner render farm dedicated to 3DS Max. I know it’s a lot to ask but I’m hopeful that someone in the Muster user community has already crossed this proverbial bridge and can help me out.
Thanks for all your help.
Dan
dembry@aii.edu
22nd July 2008 at 8:17 am #14860Hi Dan,
I hope this isn’t too late for you. (This does not seem to be a very active forum).
In 3DS MAX you have to make sure that all your map files and your output path are referenced over the network to a share that’s common to all your computers. This is the same as with backburner.
(I’m not sure, but I think it might be important to deselect “net render” in the render panel, as that will invoke backburner)Then, you close MAX and submit your job via the muster web interface.
It’s pretty straightforward.
Good luck!
16th August 2008 at 11:20 pm #14875Hi and thanks for the response. No, it wasn’t too late as I’m still unable to successfully render 3DS Max jobs with Muster.
I know the farm is working properly because I can successfully render Maya jobs with absolutely no errors. I’ve tried everything *I* can think of but again, I’m not a Max user- just a an IT guy.
I know that Max is functional on all the nodes I’m working with because I’ve physically gone to each machine and started the program- just to be sure.
How do you make the map files and output paths relative? I’m completely lost on this.
After I submit the job using the Muster submission panel, the job starts and frames are being complete, but they aren’t appearing in the .renderoutput folder I’ve specified. Instead, I’m seeing the automatic creating and deletion of XML files. Where is the output going if not to the .renderoutput folder I specified in the Max job?
Hope someone- *anyone*- can help me out here.
Thanks,
Dan
26th August 2008 at 7:18 pm #14877There’s been some progress- here’s where I’m at now:
I have my 3DSMax job in a centralized location and all the map files/output path are relative to this location. If I manually submit the job from the command-line at *any* workstation (line wrapped for legibility)
c:program filesautodesk3ds max 93dsmaxcmd.exe
-outputfile r:3dsmaxprojectrenderoutputimage.jpg
-workpath r:3dsmaxnewproject
-pathfile r:3dsmaxnewprojectnewproject.mxp
r:3dsmaxnewprojectscenesfinalproject.maxthe job renders perfectly. However, if I submit the job using Muster and specify the same information using the Additional Flags field, here’s what I get:
8/26/2008 12:01:22 PM; Parsing scene: “R:3DSMAXNEWPROJECTscenesfinalProject.max”
8/26/2008 12:01:22 PM; 1 frames initialized
8/26/2008 12:01:22 PM;
Max install location: C:Program FilesAutodesk3ds Max 9
8/26/2008 12:01:22 PM; Max file being rendered: R:3DSMAXNEWPROJECTscenesfinalProject.max
8/26/2008 12:01:22 PM; Renderer: Default Scanline Renderer
8/26/2008 12:01:55 PM; Max is ready
8/26/2008 12:01:56 PM; Frame 14 assigned
8/26/2008 12:01:56 PM; Error rendering frame 14: Missing Map File: .sceneassetsimageswood-grain-closeup-1-DHD.jpg ; Missing Map File: .sceneassetsimageswood.jpg ; Missing Map File: .sceneassetsimagesgrass.png ; Missing Map File: .sceneassetsimagesgrass01wk5.png ; Missing Map File: .sceneass
8/26/2008 12:01:56 PM; Send End of Job command to Max
8/26/2008 12:01:57 PM; Job Completed with Error(s) – see above
8/26/2008 12:01:57 PM; Total elapsed time 00:00:02
8/26/2008 12:02:07 PM; Error occured while rendering job.[MUSTER]Process terminated with the following exit code: 3
I’m hoping there’s a clear and logical answer to the problem and I’m just overlooking the obvious but I do need help.
Thanks,
Dan
3rd July 2009 at 4:28 pm #14956Dan, seams Max is searching the contents relative to the project location rather than the absolute network path. what may cause the issue is the workPath flag. While you point it to the project folder, Muster points it to a temporary folder, this is required to avoid clashing of multiple max instances trying to create a temporary file on the project folder. LInking any content with an absolute path should fix your issues.
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