Rendering stuck at embree and light cache calculations

[lightwriter]

Hi!
This has been a very frustrating problem. Whenever I try to start the iterative render mode, there is a moment when I get stuck with messages that cycle between "Building Embree static accelerator" and " Building light cache". This happens in CPU or GPU mode, with displacement on or off in global settings, and with Embree turned on or off.

What can be done?

[nikoleta.garkova]

Hi lightwriter

By 'stuck', do you mean it doesn't start rendering at all? Does this happen with every scene or just this particular one? What if you reset the render settings - are there any issues then? Can you forward a .log file (type %temp% in the file explorer's address bar and look for recent .log files) or directly send the scene with all its assets to support@chaosgroup.com for further investigation. Make sure to mention this thread in the email, thanks.

[lightwriter]

Hi nikoleta.garkova

As you can see by the embedded video, it seems to be stuck at the light cache phase, and never proceeds to the rendering process. I tried to reset the render settings, but the problem doesn't disappear. I'll forward the scene with the assets as you requested.
Thanks for the attention.

[nikoleta.garkova]

Thanks, we'll review the files and will get back to you!

[lightwriter]

I'm looking forward to the solution; thanks for the attention!

[nikoleta.garkova]

Thanks for providing the scene files!

Looks like there are lots of Physical materials used in the scene, which seem be the root of this. Converting them to V-Ray materials does fix the issue here on our end. Would it be possible to run the V-Ray scene converter and convert all Physical materials to V-Ray materials? Run a test render and let us know the outcome. Thanks!

[lightwriter]

Thanks for providing the scene files!

Looks like there are lots of Physical materials used in the scene, which seem be the root of this. Converting them to V-Ray materials does fix the issue here on our end. Would it be possible to run the V-Ray scene converter and convert all Physical materials to V-Ray materials? Run a test render and let us know the outcome. Thanks!

Hi again!

Monday I'll be at work and try your method and let you know if it worked.
Thanks for your help!

[lightwriter]

Hi there!

Sorry for the delay; I was only able to test the scene today. I ran the V-ray scene converter and converted all Physical materials to V-Ray materials, and when I render a camera at full resolution (with CPU) there's no problem. However, when I try to render a a section with the interactive mode the problem persists.
Furthermore, I tried the scene at home with a GT 1050Ti (rendering with GPU) and Max shut down without warning, and at work I have a RTX 2070 super, and 3ds Max also shuts down. What may cause these issues? My pc at home has 32GB DDR4 and a i7 8700-K, and the pc at work has 16GB DD3 and a Intel Xeon E5 2680.

P.S: If I turn off the secondary engine, it remains stuck, but the message now is Building Embree static acceleratior - rendering image, ad infinitum. If I turn off Embree in Settings, the same message error happens.

[nikoleta.garkova]

This is odd, would it be possible to forward a crash dump file so we can take a look? You can find it by typing %temp% in your file explorer, search for recent 3dsmax_minidump files. You can once again write to support@chaosgroup.com or upload it here. Moreover, can you also try to set an Override material and see if the problem persists? Thanks!

[lightwriter]

Hi there!

I sent the 3dsmax_minidump files by mail, as requested. I forgot to mention that this problem only appears in this file, and in another created from this one. Every other different project is fine.

[nikoleta.garkova]

Thanks! We'll review and get back to you ASAP.