DR and Hidden Containers BUG!

[ior=0]

Hi,
I'm having a weird problem in that hidden Containers are being render by the slave DR nodes but not the master DR workstation.
If I use distributed RT the slaves respect the hidden containers. It is only in production that the slaves ignore the fact that the containers and their content are hidden.
All nodes and workstation same version of MaxDesign 2013 (15.5.121.0) PU05 and vray 2.30.01

All paths are resolved UNC.

Any ideas?

[vlado]

Can you get us a scene to reproduce this (no matter how simple) to vray@chaosgroup.com ?

Best regards,
Vlado

[ior=0]

ok I've sent you an email - Interestingly whenever I load the scene the layers that contain the containers are visible even then they have been saved hidden. - May well be a max thing!!

[Svetlozar Draganov]

This is actually one of the features of the containers in Max - it is not related to Vray in any way.
The containers in Max - by default are not controlled by Layer Manager - that's why if you hide a container from Layer Manager and reopen the file - the container is visible.
If you want to control the container with the Layer Manager attributes you have to activate - "Override Obj Properties" at the bottom of the Container Options from the Modify Panel.
Then you will be able to hide containers as a normal objects , and when you reopen the files the containers will remain hidden - and then you won't have a troubles with Vray DR rendering.

[ior=0]

OK - I'm prepared to believe it is a Max "feature" that containers aren't controlled by the layer manager - but you can also hide Containers via the hide object command and the result is the same. It also doesn't explain why the workstation isn't rendering them, because if it is a "feature", the "feature" should be consistent across all nodes.


The object override button does seem to do the trick though, so thanks for that

[Svetlozar Draganov]

I don't know why the Containers works this way - probably there is some secret reason and we have to ask Autodesk about it

[ior=0]

The object override button does seem to do the trick though, so thanks for that

Actually not sure the override button works as DR slaves are still rendering the hidden containers!

[Svetlozar Draganov]

Hm. that is strange, I've tested here and it is working here. Please go to assets tracking and set the path for the containers - use a network path.

But like I said above - these containers aren't Vray issue - if you don't like how they work please ask Autodesk for advice - or switch to normal 3DSMax "groups".

[ior=0]

It is strange - I don't have an issue with containers(that is not strictly true but not important here). It's the fact the render nodes don't know or are ignoring the fact that they are hidden. The workstation knows, and isn't rendering them. See the attached image.


The inconsistency is with the render nodes, which is why I'm assuming it's a VRay issue. All containers with the red rings are hidden and have the override properties selected.
I will test the scene you attached and see if it is my set-up or the file I'm working on. These containers where made in 2012 and imported via the host file into 2013.

[ior=0]

OK after a bit of testing with the file you sent - it seems that you have to hide the Containers helper within the layer (not the layer) for the DR nodes to understand they are hidden.
If you just hide the layer the DR nodes will still render the Container.
The workstation will not render the Container whichever way it is hidden. Seems to me this is a DR thing, no?


DR nodes will render Containers in this config


DR nodes will NOT render Containers in this config