"cache_converter.exe" only giving error (conversion of .aur to .vdb)

Phoenix Issues
1

Hello,
I tried now to convert .aur to .vdb files.

- I used command panel
- directed it to the folder (with "cd ")
- I have copied the cacher_coverter.exe into that folder and of course the .aur files.

attached a screenshot
it is the .aur output from the scene, which I’ve also mentioned here in this thread: https://forums.chaosgroup.com/forum/…reezing-3dsmax
So it could maybe be, that VDB has in general a problem with that scene… (I’m using TexUVW for opacity in this scene)

Other idea to solve this: which would be the best way to “collect” some simulation results from different scenes into one scene, with using “aur” files?
I imagine I would have to save and assign the rendersettings to each imported simulator. Not sure how to handle the frame numbers and if this would work as expected.
In my case I only want one static frame

thanks!

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2

Hey, which Phoenix version do you use? AUR to VDB conversion via the Cache Converter is something we just added to the nightly builds a few weeks ago.

You can check the nightly changelogs (on https://nightlies.chaosgroup.com/) for changes that we have not officially released yet :slight_smile:

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3

Thanks, I will test the nightly. (I didn’t install them)
I think 3 weeks ago I updated everything from official releases. (vray5 and phoenix FD for 3dsMax)

I wonder, because cache converter was already contained in my “official” installer and is also mentioned in old threads. But maybe it’s updated.

→ I did another test with VDB simulation over night (not with converter, but the standard simulation), and so I did not care about the retarded/nearly freezing UI in 3sMax.
It was working, but only very slowly (more than 10times slowlier than .aur).
After that 3dsMax was this morning unusable and must be shut down and restarted.
I did not test the files yet. I will install the nightlies and test first the nightlies later…

4

Oh yes, it’s constantly being updated. It was first added to Phoenix 4.0, but there’s development going on all the time.

5

Any tips on how to use this?
I cant get it working with CMD?

6

Hey,

Check this out - Phoenix for 3ds Max

There are some examples at the bottom of the page.

7

Hey,

What do you mean by “I cant get it working”? Does anything particular happen, does it show you any error message, is there any info you can share to help us help you?

Do you have any experience with command line tools and do you know what you should do? Are you using the latest Phoenix 4.40?

And last but not least, have you read the manual? :smile: Phoenix for 3ds Max

Thanks for any info you can share :slight_smile:

8

Btw, when you simply run the converter without any arguments, it prints out entire example command lines for you to choose from. Did you try them?

9

Yeah I cant use the CMD interface (3d artist not a programmer!)
When I try to run it nothing happens - nothing pops up

yep i followed the instructions and read all the threads but it isnt working for me. assuming its me

im willing to pay someone giood monmey to make a GUI or a right click menu for this as its a big part of working with other software for me. takes ages to re-sim as VDB and heavy on disk space.

10

also yep latest PHX
i know its a niche option and prob not used by many or with access to a TD it may be easy

how are other people doing this?
do you write it all down in a text file first? do the hash symbols mean leave blank? many questions here!

11

Hang in there, will record a video.

12

Just tell me what do you wanna do - convert vdb to aur?

13

Ah, just saw your other post, so will record a video of how to convert aur to vdb

14

Tada :slight_smile:

Btw, you don’t have to be a programmer to use command line. Personally I hate command line, but you still gotta know your way around it from time to time :slight_smile:

Cheers!