What is ' render stripes ' & how does it work?

[timmatron]

I've heard of using this as a suggested method since DR still isn't available to everyone. I'm not sure how it works, or how to use it though.

I have 2 computers, and one license, using Viz 2005. If there's anyway to use both computers at the same time without DR, please tell me!

Thanks

[Miguel]

It's easy trimmatron, in the network job assignment panel click split scan lines, it will distribute rows of the image to every machine you have, I use it with a saved irradiance map file.

[timmatron]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I've never used net render before so this is all new to me. Seems like I have it working now, but I have a problem that the stripes are overlapping by about 30% even though the "overlap" setting is at zero. Do you ever get that problem?

If I can't get it to not overlap the whole thing will be pointless.

[timmatron]

For example...I just did a test render of an image 400 pixels wide by 300 high. I split the render up into 2 stripes that were supposed to be 50% each, which means that they should have both been exactly 150 pixels high.

But the 1st stripe rendered at 158 high and the second computer rendered the other stripe at 166 high. So thats a total of 24 pixels in the middle that shouldn't have been rendered at all.

I know this all won't matter when I get DR but I have an interior I'm working on now that is pretty intense and I need to save as much time as possible.

[Dynedain]

it needs to render pixels off the edge of the current strip so that it can make sure the pixels come out right...vray renderbuckets do the same thing

[timmatron]

Well that makes sense why when the buckets are smaller, the image generally takes longer to render.

I have a new problem though. Everything was working fun until now when I try to render strips....The strip on the server renders fine, but now the strip that is rendered on the slave seems to only be render direct light, because it is mostly black.

For now I guess I will have to switch back to one machine....

[Dynedain]

it probably cant reach the saved irrmap

[timmatron]

Hmm, I wasn't aware of any problems on the network, but I will give it a shot again.

thanks

[timmatron]

Well, it certainly looks like that is the problem, but there is no explanation as to why it keeps happening. I can access the IRmap over the server manually just fine, so I don't know why it wouldn't work when it comes time to render.

DR take me away!

[gustojunk]

There seems to be no explanation for this. I've been having the same problems too. So I'm waiting for the Vray V. 1.4.f.f to be released, since it seems to have DR solved.

PS: f.f= friends and family

[timmatron]

Well it seems like I'm not crazy after all. This is a quote from Jeff Mottle on his cgarchitect.com site. Hope you don't mind me quoting you Jeff, but I think it will clear things up for those who are having the same problem.

The current 1.45.70 beta has a problem when multiple computers try to access the irrandiance map at once. What happens is the frames that get locked out do not get their GI added to the frame, only direct light.

I just can't win! I upgrade to 1.45 because of all the good things about it, and yet its killing me because the old features of 1.09 are messed up. I know I know, its only a beta....Will be patiently waiting.

[RErender]

The work around is to path the maps localy (like C and then copy them around to the slaves

[timmatron]

Cool that makes sense. I'll give it a try. Thanks!