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I'm trying for first time to do a network render

details: I'm trying to render something in two pc

I started in one PC a server and on the other PC I started the a server and the manager.

Then I started the mxcl -d on the pc that had the server and the manager running.

When I press connect, Maxwell was unable to find my manager, so I manually added the IP address... and it solved the problem.

Now, when I try to add a job, nothing happens, I press the [...] and choose the file, but nothig happens... it's like it never selected any file!! is it a bug? Can somebody help me?

Leonardo,

I usually open the MXS in MXCL, set everything the way I want in the Render Options tab, then go over to the Network tab and click "Add Job." It brings over all the settings, tags, and file paths from the Render Options tab.

Now I have found that this sometimes causes it to crash, or refuse the connection to the manager. It has to do with opening the MXS before or after you connect. I can't remember which way you have to do it, it's been awhile since I did a network render.

Anyways, hope that helps.

Okay, I was able to add a job... by first opening the file and then adding a job.

However, my server/manager pc says rendering (although it doesn't seem to be doing anything)

and my other server says:
Fail
Fail
Fail
Fail
Fail
Fail
Fail
Fail
Fail
Fail

misterasset wrote:Leonardo,

I usually open the MXS in MXCL, set everything the way I want in the Render Options tab, then go over to the Network tab and click "Add Job." It brings over all the settings, tags, and file paths from the Render Options tab.

Now I have found that this sometimes causes it to crash, or refuse the connection to the manager. It has to do with opening the MXS before or after you connect. I can't remember which way you have to do it, it's been awhile since I did a network render.

Anyways, hope that helps.

thanks... I just figure it out the hard way

Now I think my problem is that my other pc is looking for the files in the wrong location

example: the other sever is looking for the textures in its own hardrive c:\blah blah\blah\ (when the actual texture files are in the other pc manager/server)

Excellent, you figured out about the texture paths before I could type it.

The first time I did a network job I had to copy all my textures onto a CD and then add a folder on each server in the right path with all the textures.

From that point on I've been very careful about making sure all my MXMs and textures look to a common folder on the server (office server not Maxwell server).

Yeah, just a quick note that having a shared network drive that both pc's can see is essential. put the source files (materials & MXS) there and point the output there.

I have a dedicated network drive mounted as M: on all network rendering PC's. All file references start with M:....

Chris

well, that would pretty much make my whole MXM library worthless unless I can copy all the files to the other pc, using the exact same location... hmmm is this normal with other applications? (not that I'm complaining.... yet)

chrisvconley wrote:Yeah, just a quick note that having a shared network drive that both pc's can see is essential. put the source files (materials & MXS) there and point the output there.

I have a dedicated network drive mounted as M: on all network rendering PC's. All file references start with M:....

Chris

Just wondering... how could I create something like that? right now we have like 3 pcs connected to a router

The best thing would be to have an external HD just for the textures, but if it's not possible just choose a folder to keep all the textures; go to windows explorer > tools > Map network drive; choose the folder with the textures through the network and assign it a drive letter > Finish.

You'll find that new network drive in MyPC.

You'll have to do it for each PC

When you are making your materials choose the textures through this network drive.

okay... I have some organization problems that I think I should fix first.

We have three pcs and all of them are in different network names... could someone explain me how to change the names so all the pcs are connected trhough the same network name... for example a network called "Vitruvius" intead of Mshome?

Open "Network Connections" from Control Panel

Advenced menu > Network identification... Opens system properties at Computer name tab > Change.

Fernando Tella wrote:Open "Network Connections" from Control Panel

Advenced menu > Network identification... Opens system properties at Computer name tab > Change.

done (although I was not able to delete my old workgroups like mshome)

Now, going back to the textures.... I do have an external HD and it's connected to a pc through a usb... is that possible solution? - btw I haven't been able to access the external hd trhough other pcs (it says something like it's protected )

Haha, this thread really should be renamed "Teaching Leonardo how to Network..."

One problem might have been that they were all on different "networks," but if you're still having that problem now that they are all the same it's probably a premissions thing.

I'm pretty sure you can't just "share" an entire drive, so put a folder in the front of your external HD named something like "Maxwell." In that folder you can make an MXMs, Textures, IORs, Models, whatever folder. Right click on the "Maxwell" folder and go to the "Sharing" tab. Tell it that you want to share that folder and click the box that allows others to write/edit that folder.

Once you do that you can map that folder as a network drive on the other machines.

Another option is to go to Best Buy and buy a network HD. They plug in directly to your router. That's what I use. Very effective and you don't have to make sure the machine that your external HD is plugged into is on.

I was thinking of one of those that can connect directly to the network hub or the router so it is not affected by the slowdown of the performance of a rendering PC and can act as a server for textures and shared files. If the HD is connected to a PC via USB maybe is better to have the textures directly in one PC (the less used so it's always idle for sharing textures).

okay, okay... (I know I making a fool of myself )

well, I try rendering a box with no textures

and this is what I got


...hmmm (Maybe I should re-read the manual but) how do you merge them??

leo