Arbitrary location rendernode install, Phoenix FD for 3dsMax 2023

[sylk]

Hello,

is there a way to run Phoenix FD from an arbitrary location for rendernodes? This is regarding Phoenix FD 51000 for 3ds Max 2023.

/Andreas

[georgi.zhekov]

Hey Andreas,

Yes, you can do that for the newer 3ds Max versions (2022 and 2023).

What you can do is to run the Phoenix installer one time so that it places all the files in place.

Then go to C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\Phoenix 3dsMax2023 and copy all the files there and put them on the specific network location you would like to use (C:\CustomPlugin for example).

After that create a new environment variable called ADSK_APPLICATION_PLUGINS and point it to C:\CustomPlugin

Uninstall Phoenix or delete the files from the default location so that they won't load from there anymore and you should be able to start Max and work as usual.


Just a note that the Phoenix installer places some additional files in C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\Phoenix FD\3ds Max 2023 for x64

and sets the following env vars

PHX_FOR_3DSMAX2023_BIN = C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\Phoenix FD\3ds Max 2023 for x64/bin

PHX_FOR_3DSMAX2023_STNDPLUGS = C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\Phoenix FD\3ds Max 2023 for x64/bin/plugins

You can copy these files to the arbitrary location and set the environment variables to point to the new location.


Cheers!

[sylk]

Ok thanks!

Why is the second part "Just a note"? Is it only needed for workstations? Not for rendernodes?

/Andreas

[georgi.zhekov]

Yes, the additional files in C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\Phoenix FD\3ds Max 2023 for x64/bin are used for simulation, preview or conversion of the simulation caches, but are not strictly related to rendering. You can find more about what each one does here - https://docs.chaos.com/display/PHX4MAX/Phoenix+Tools

There also some SDK files, you can find more info about these here - https://docs.chaos.com/display/PHX4MAX/Phoenix+API

These are not related to the rendering part and can be skipped if you won't need them.

Let us know if you have some issues and we'll be glad to help.

Thanks!