Change Log
2024:
- License number reduced to 600 Renderfarm end-points
2022:
- Updated version of Supported Software Sets to Maya 2022 and RenderMan 24.
2021:
- Updated version of Supported Software Sets to Maya 2021 and RenderMan 23.
2020:
- Change of Render drive mapping from Z:\Screen_Yr1 and Z:\Screen_Yr2 to consolidated P:\ mapped drive for each campus.
2019:
- Updated versions of Supported Software Sets
Supported Software Set & Render Engines
The supported software set developed by consultation with the VFX Head of Faculty and CEOs is; see Courses Specification for specific minor versioning details.
- Maya 2022
- Deadline 10.1
- RenderMan 24 for Maya (Render Engine)
- RenderMan Pro Server 24 (Render Engine)
Render Drives
Students enrolled into 3D Animation & VFX for Film [Career Course] have available a mapped Render drive that is also mapped by the Deadline render nodes.
- Render Drive: P:\ (2Tb shared quota per campus)
Limits & Requirements
Whilst AIE has invested heavily into our Renderfarms, there are several limiting factors that limit the performance that can be achieved.
These factors include:
- Speed of our network backbone which transfers data between our access layer, server rooms and classrooms
- Speed of our servers
- Performance of our storage layer
- Amount of server grade hard drive space available
As such, there are some limits that must be followed:
- 720p and 1080p are the supported rendering resolutions. 4k is not supported.
- Scenes to be well optimised to no more than 60-minutes rendering per frame. On average you should be aiming for a per-frame rendering speed of no more than 25-30 minutes.
Areas of Responsibility
IT Engineering Responsibilities
IT engineering team will be ultimately responsible for Deadline and how it’s designed and engineered, and how it’s installed.
Specifically, this means Corporate I.T. will manage:
- The upgrades of all Deadline components and;
- How Deadline Slave’s will be installed onto the PC and;
- How Deadline Slave’s process will start-up when the PC is powered on, but not logged in or locked and;
- How Deadline Slave’s process will shut down when someone logs into the PC or is locked and;
- How Deadline is secured.
IT Support Responsibilities
IT support staff will be responsible for supporting the software.
Specifically, this means campus I.T. will:
- Assist with installation problems and;
- Assist with diagnosing issues with the Slave’s process not starting or shutting down as designed and;
- Point VFX teachers towards the Renderfarm documentation and;
- Advise IT engineering of any problems identified, what work arounds were used and;
- Assist the VFX Teachers (and Students) by pointing them towards log files for the teacher to investigate the problems, but not necessarily be able to assist beyond that as they are not subject matter experts on Maya, Renderman and VFX workflows and;
- Ensure documentation is kept up to date.
VFX Teacher’s Responsibilities
Screen Teachers will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the software, and will be the subject matter expects on the software.
Specifically, this means VFX Teachers will:
- Be the subject matter experts on the day-to-day operations of the software and;
- Know how to submit jobs and;
- Know how to manage pools, groups, limits & machine limits and;
- Know how to thoroughly diagnose failed jobs, read Deadline log files and solve common issues and;
- Ensure students are working within the limits (see above) of the Renderfarm and;
- Have working knowledge of how to optimise projects and;
- Frequently throughout the year submit jobs and test renders and;
- Build documentation for distribution and use by other campuses.
Screen Head of Faculty Responsibilities
The VFX Head of Faculty will have a key responsibility to ensure teachers have the relevant training and experience.
Specifically, this means the Screen HoF will:
- Ensure VFX Teachers have the relevant training & experience needed to become subject matter experts on the operations of our Renderfarms and;
- Ensure VFX Teachers have full knowledge of the limits of our Renderfarms and are working within those limits.