Render farm

[rago]

Sorry if this is all been said, but I'm a newbie and I need some info:
I'd like to start a small render network, lets say three machines plus a server, what exactly would I need in terms of licenses and software, to have rhino + vray working on all three of them.

I really only need to work on rhino plus vray on one machine, but I'd like to send out the render calculation to the other two render computers so that I can speed up render times and still worki on setting up a new scene.
Maybe batch rendering as well.

Would I have to buy more render licenses for each slave computer, (799$ each), or does vray provide you already with some render nodes?

Please be pretty explainatory, such as vray network rendering for dummies!)

Thanx, to whoever will reply,

Rago.

[dalomar_cg]

Re: Render farm

I won't be able to give you to much info on the networking side as thats not really my area, but the licensing I can give you some info on. Basically, all you'll need is one working license of Rhino and one of V-Ray. With V-Ray we have the Distributed Rendering (DR) spawner that will allow those other machines to help out with the rendering. Currently we allow for up to 10 computers to be connected with the spawner. This spawner does not require Rhino in order to run as it is a standalone application.

Currently, the only way you could use the other machines (without an extra license) is through DR. So that means that you would have to be running an image from the machine with a license (of Rhino and vfr) and send it to the nodes. There is currently no way for the host machine to be "relieved" of participating in the rendering, and there is no way to send separate images to each of the nodes.

[rago]

Re: Render farm

Ok thanx,
that means that I'll have three machines working on the render.
One main and two slaves, (if my network is made of three PC's that is).

But is there a way to make of list of renders to alculate so that I set a list before getting out of work and as soon as one is finished automatically the machines will start the next one on the list?

Sorry if I seem naiv, but I really have no idea, and if it's not possible that would be a future good option, don't you agree?

Thanx,

Rago.

[rago]

Re: Render farm

Is there any link or documentation where I can find what I need and how to create a mini render network to use with Rhino and Vray and batch rendering?
Please help since I believe this topic could be useful to many newbies here on the forum, among me that is!)

Thanx,

Rago.

[pickinboy]

Re: Render farm

Is there any link or documentation!)

Thanx,

Rago.

I second this - as this maybe the only way to get animation out.

Thanks guys

[dalomar_cg]

Re: Render farm

Well as far as DR, it does have a few pages in the manual, so I'd suggest looking at that. It will at least tell you about the v-ray side of things.

In terms of networking in general, I'd just search the web for what you can find. Networking depends a lot on what kind of equipment and what you're trying to do, and besides I don't believe any of us here are really qualified to put a tutorial out for this.

[rago]

Re: Render farm

You mean that none of you have a DR system? All we ask is to share your experience and settings on this topic, so that we could all benefit!
Yes we could all learn things looking for them ourselves on internet or elsewhere, but then what's the point of having a specific forum if the answer is "look for help on the web"?)

Sorry my two cents!

[dalomar_cg]

Re: Render farm

As I said, actually using DR and all the steps you'll need are in the manual. As far as the v-ray side of things, that should be all that you need. With outside tutorials, I was mentioning all of the other stuff; routers, firewalls and the like, that would be needed to get to the point where you're worrying about starting up the DR spawner. There are a few people around here that have setup their own networks, but its up to them to share with you. I can assure you that there are very few network admins (if any) that are hanging around here that could offer some advice that you can truly take to the bank. My experience with networks ends at plugging in to a switch, so I'm definitely not the one to really offer up a tutorial on it...sorry I don't know everything

[Micha_cg]

Re: Render farm

@rago: the DR of VfR is very simple to start, if you have a working network without firewall - start the spawner at the slave machine and go at the master machine to the VfR DR settings and type in the name of the slave engine - ready, press resolve and the list should show the IP adress. If it dosn't work, than you have a network problem, most a firewall problem, not a VfR problem.
Damien means, that at this point it is difficult to help.
Good luck.

[rago]

Re: Render farm

ok,
sorry if I seemed harsh, thanx everyone for the help!