sessionPaths.add #map - VRay "irradiance map file path" - causes crash

[MikeOwen]

Hi,
Using Deadline, v5.1 and Max2011 with VRay 2.20.03.
If via MXS which gets executed (after loading the 3dsMax file) prior to Deadline making its standard "OpenCurrRenderer" 3dsMax SDK command to open and render, I add some local 3dsMax scene session paths via the MXS command, such as the example below:

sessionPaths.add #map "c:\a_file_path\sub_dir\"
sessionPaths.add #map "c:\another_file_path\sub_dir2\"

I have discovered that if there is a valid file path to a *.vrmap under "Irradiance map" > "Mode" > "File:" a file path is declared; even though any kind of "indirect illumination" is globally disabled and even the "Mode" is set to "Single frame"....if there is a path present, then if you add these additional local session paths, VRay crashes when executing the 3dsMax SDK "OpenCurrRenderer" command via Deadline.

I haven't tested the various other file paths that can be present in the renderer properties in VRay, but I assume there will be a similar issue. If I delete this file path, then VRay renders successfully. I believe there is an underlying issue when VRay is initialised which may be causing an issue when used in combination with 3dsMax local session paths. Please can a developer investigate this further.

For reference: http://www.kxcad.net/autodesk/Autode...ths_Struct.htm

Thanks,
Mike

[vlado]

That's odd; in the EnumAuxFiles() method of the renderer V-Ray will only declare the GI maps if GI is actually enabled. 3ds Max might be trying to pick them up automatically from the parameter block though... anyways, will look into it.

Best regards,
Vlado

[MikeOwen]

Great, thanks Vlado. I'll wait to hear from you!

[MikeOwen]

Hi Vlado,
Any news on this issue?
Thanks,
Mike

[vlado]

We had some problems reproducing the issue; can you tell me how to get the error outside of the Deadline context?

Best regards,
Vlado

[MikeOwen]

I did some more testing and it doesn't matter if the MXS call is made before or after the Max scene is loaded.
To reproduce outside of Deadline may be a little tricky as it has its own *.dlx utility plugin which is loaded with Max and this makes the "OpenCurrRenderer" call via the Max SDK.
However, I was hoping that you might be able to load a Max scene with VRay, make some MXS calls to add some "SessionPaths" and then call the VRay Renderer and see if it crashes. (Don't forget the other necessary variables of having a GI path set as above).
Also, not sure if it will make a difference, but although this is using the latest version of VRay; I believe the original Max file was created using VRay v1.5 sp5.
If you need the Deadline Lightning dlx plugin, I should be able to send this to you, which will allow you to make the same call that Deadline makes. I'll check with the Deadline developers now for release. (I will need to know what Max version/bit build you are using, so I can send you the correct version of their *.dlx)
Thanks,
Mike

EDIT: I have been informed that I can release the Lightning plugin to you. However, its over your forum upload 97kb size limit, so I will need an alternative location to send you the file(s).

[MikeOwen]

Vlado - Shall I send you the plugin to allow you to directly debug this issue?

[vlado]

Yes, please email it directly to me at vlado@chaosgroup.com

Best regards,
Vlado