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Batch Material Preview

Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:49 pm
by glassbathroom
I have been trying to sort out my material library and I need to update a whole load of material previews. Does anyone know of a way to batch render all the material previews in a folder? If there is a way to do this then it will save me hours (possibly days of material housekeeping).

Moving forward is there any reason why MXED can't utilise more than one core/processor to render previews. It would speed up previews no end if it could use more than one core.

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 2:43 pm
by glassbathroom
Maybe I can work out a way to do it with Automator on OSX.

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:55 pm
by Aji Enrico
Hi

I can help you with a simple batch application, only downside is its only windows compatible.
Will that help?

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 12:02 am
by glassbathroom
Hi Aji,

No problem. I swap between Windows and OSX quite a lot. Any help greatly appreciated!

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 4:34 pm
by Aji Enrico
Hi Glassbathroom

First I hope this is what you where aiming for but if not, or some features are missing let me know and I will see what I can do.
Second is a warning, I deliver this application "as is". That means no guaranty and you use it at your own risk. A good tips is to always backup your files time to time.

screenshot.png
Basic usage:
1) Pick a folder where your MXM files resides by pressing the "Browse" button (it will not read any child folders in picked folder.)
- Side note: You will be able to see the list of files that will be updated.
2) Customize your setting. You can set the max sample level & time, set scale value and usage of RS0 or RS1.
3) Pick Preview Scene to use Disabled due to Maxwell editor bug. Will use only default
4) Press the "Update MXM" button to start the process.

What you can to during the Process.
1) Stop the whole batch process by pressing the "Stop Update" button. The current running update in Maxwell Editor will not stop.
2) Stop the current Maxwell Editor update and save its current progress and go to the next file.
- Side note: As long as you haven't pressed "Stop Update" button or that there are no more files it will go no the next one.

Code: Select all
Release Notes:
Version 0.1
Known bugs:
- Might use the cpu excessively in different cases
- File list might show each file twice.
- Disabled preview scenes selector, using only default preview scene. (Bug in Maxwell Editor)
MXM_updater_0.1.zip
Aji

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 7:15 pm
by glassbathroom
Wow, that looks amazing. Well done. Top response!!

I can't test it out at the moment. I will get to it tomorrow morning.

Many many thanks!

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 7:26 pm
by Half Life
I'm using it right now -- works great on XP Pro 32bit... not being able to choose the preview does limit it somewhat, hopefully that bug will be fixed.

Thank-you!

Best,
Jason.

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:56 pm
by glassbathroom
Hey Aji,

This is just brilliant. It works like a dream.

I owe you one big time. Many thanks.

glassbathroom

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 11:33 pm
by Aji Enrico
Glad that you two liked it.

Aji

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 12:44 am
by zdeno
great tool it looks like .

does it work with older version ? 1.7.1 ?
I think not but good to ask...

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 1:45 am
by Aji Enrico
zdeno wrote:great tool it looks like .

does it work with older version ? 1.7.1 ?
I think not but good to ask...
Hi zdeno

Thanks for the comment. Yes I can do a small fix for it so it can use 1.7.1 but, the quality is locked at 4.
Don't think it will be for much use I guess. However, I will put it in for next update but the limits will still be there.

btw, maxwell 2 is really awesome! ;-)

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:15 am
by iker
wow! Thanks for this.

It'd be good to have a copy of this on "goodies" section

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 12:56 pm
by zdeno
Aji Enrico wrote: However, I will put it in for next update but the limits will still be there.
great news ! thank You very much in advence! again ... looks like very usefull piece of software.
Aji Enrico wrote:maxwell 2 is really awesome! ;-)
;) maxwell 1.7.1 was already awesome long time ago . I could not find anything in V2 I could not do with 1.7.1 so don't want to migrate and recreate all materials again . Instead I rather buy another PC to increase speed.

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 2:58 pm
by Bubbaloo
zdeno wrote:I could not find anything in V2 I could not do with 1.7.1
I'm sure Tom could show some examples. :mrgreen:

Re: Batch Material Preview

Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:20 pm
by zdeno
of course . He actually did . frosted glass example.
but first off all with archviz renders those all small differences are irrelevant.
second I can show a few tricks with 3dmax simple scanline renderer that even maxwell 2.2 wouldn't handle
try to do my ultramegamess material with 2.1 it could be endless fun ;) where in 1.7.1 it is just one click

I am very happy with 1.7.1 after big render node licence politics 2.0 frustration I figured out. 1.7.1 is good enough for my work/fun and I already got 8 licenses