CompuServe Thread

#Parout Problem

8 messages in this thread
#180283From: Alex GibsonJul 15, 1995 10:57 AM
I have a six computer network set up with a 486 DX4 100 as the server with the PAR and 5 486 DX2 50s as the slaves. All of this is being run under WFW 3.11. I use the NET USE command for the slaves. When using Parout some frames are deleted before being copied to the PAR so Parout fails to accomplish its job. This won't happen when I tell Parout not to delete the frames but I don't have enough hard disk space to do this. From what I can tell the frames that are deleted are the ones the DX4 does and Parout goes right after it completes a frame and Parout doesn't reach the frame it just completed because some frames in between are not complete. I would really appreciate any help with this problem. Thanks in advance. Alex
#180339From: Jul 15, 1995 8:31 PM
Alex: >> NET USE with WFW 3.11 I've never heard of this happening before. PAROUT only deletes its frames after they are _sucessfully_ (it checks) copied onto the PAR. Could you please give me more information on exactly the steps you are taking, drives, etc. so I can suggest a solution for you. We have many users on WFW networks with no problems. Or if you'd like, call me at (714) 833-0334 ext 12 or Alex at ext 16 and we'll go over it with you live! Greg Pyros
#180348From: alec jasonJul 16, 1995 12:45 AM
Hi Greg, It can happen. I have network mix of Pentiums and 486's and the PAR machine (a Pentium) will often complete the last targa in the job and then shut down before the 486's have completed their targas. (The Pentium's are about 3 times faster than the 486's.) Alec Jason
#180638From: Alex GibsonJul 17, 1995 11:27 PM
This is the way I have it set up. As I said before the DX4 is running 3DS inside of WFW while the rest of the computers are connected to it in dos by the NET USE command. All of the slaves and the DX4 are setup to render their files to the DX4 in the netren directory that I created. The PAR is drive D on the DX4. Once I'm in 3DS I load up the mesh file I want to render then I go to video post and set it up. The KF Scene is on the first line with PAROUT.IXP on the second line. When I configure PAROUT I have it set to delete files and to render to the root directory of the PAR. Then I hit the render button and configure the NET QUEUE by clicking on the SERVER button for the destination of Targa files and select ANY for the computers that can render the animation. Once I'm done with that the slave computers start to render and I make the DX4 a slave too. The rendering process usually won't get far before the problem occurs. It's hard to explain but the DX4 seems to delete the files it renders when PAROUT is used and its file is not ready to be copied to the PAR yet because some frames before it are not complete. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hope I was able to explain enough for you. Thanks.
#180793From: Jul 18, 1995 9:34 PM
So you're running 3D Studio on a DX4 inside WFW with the PAR on that same machine, which is also running as your server? You're much braver than I! Got too much time on your hands? :^) What happens if you do not click on "delete files"? Please send me (by private e-mail) your 3dsnet.set file so I can see if there is anything obvious in there.
#180846From: FRANCISCO J. PEREZJul 19, 1995 12:56 AM
I have PAROUT I have the same problems. I have a 486dx-33mhz with Novell 3.12 and 8mb of ram, 486dx2-66mhz with 16mb of ram and Pentium 100mhz with 16mb of ram with the PAR. All IPAS are in the server. When I run the vpost with the PAROUT IPAS(Delete frame on) the IPAS erase some frame before send it to the par. WHY? Francisco J. Perez – MEGAIMAGE
#180909From: Jul 19, 1995 1:16 PM
I've sent your message on to Gus, the programmer, to see if he has any ideas. So it works fine if delete is off, just happens if delete is on?
#180990From: Alex GibsonJul 19, 1995 8:17 PM
When I don't turn on "delete files" the problem does not occur. It only happens when I tell Parout to delete them. I need it to delete the files because I have limited disk space. P.S. I will send you my 3DSNET.SET file as soon as possible but I'll have to go get it off the DX4 at the CAD Lab at school first.