-
multiple output modules = no multi-machine rendering?
Hi there,
I have a comp which is 10000×1080. It renders fine but needs to split up into 5 equal pieces. No problem I just use the CROP setting in the output module of the render queue.
Normally I utilize a dozen render engines, each with AE on it. I set the file to render using Sequential TIFF and checking the box which says “Skip existing frames (allows multi-machine rendering)” and save the results to a network drive. This pattern works with no problems and all the machines share the job …. however a question…
I notice if I add additional output modules to my render project, so each one uses a different CROP setting, all of a sudden the “Skip existing frames” button becomes grayed out and I presume I can no longer use all of the machines on my network to crunch the job.
The job takes 20 hours to run and I need it cropped into 5 pieces. If I render on one computer with one crop setting, then I’ll have to run it on another computer with a different crop setting… times 5.
Why can’t AE render a single comp with multiple output modules in a multi-machine environment? Is there any workaround?
Thanks,
Dan -
1 Reply
-
Thanks Dave,
Ya, I went that route initially but I found it took 5X longer. You see my 10000×1080 comp takes 15-20 hours to render on a dozen machines. If I create 5 comps, then it’s basically having to render the whole thing 5 times and slice once. A process that would take 5 days to render. If I could use multiple output modules, then it only renders once and slices it into 5 pieces.
My solution was to render a “master” uncropped pass (since even using CROP AE seems to render the entire footprint anyway before cropping) and then reimport that TIFF sequence into a comp and output the slices as I would have initially. Since the heavy rendering was already done the slicing now goes fast, about 90 minutes.
So I end up rendering once and then adding about 90-120 minutes on to do the slicing. Compare that to creating 5 comps of the exact same project each with different crop outputting, that would have taken at least 5 days since it has to render the same thing 5X.
Thanks!
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up