#Batch Rendering
8 messages in this thread
I do most of my final rendering overnight and on the weekend. Very
few of my animation will need the 60+ hours available over the
weekend, so I would like to be able to render more than one scene
when time allows. Is there a way to set up a batch render? (Starting
a second render as soon as the first one is complete) I am new to
the Amiga and do not have a understanding of AREXX. Something tells
me AREXX could be useful here. Please reply in such a fasion that a
total non-AREXX person could create the needed program. Am I asking
to much?
>Is there a way to set up a batch render?
Of course there is and easy to use. I believe that you can only use
this with VT 3.0 or VT4000, I may be wrong.
>I am new to the Amiga and do not have a understanding of AREXX.
>Something tells me AREXX could be useful here.
Yes, ARexx is how you could do batch rendering.
First, you will need to have ARexx installed and running on your
system. It comes on Amigas with WB 2.0 and above and must be started
(REXXmast) before you can use ARexx programs. Start the Toaster and
LW.
Secondly, there is a file called `LightWaveARexx.doc' in the
`Drive:'Toaster/Arexx_Examples directory, the `Drive' is where the
Toaster software is installed. You may want to print this file as it
gives you a brief description of the ARexx commands for LightWave.
Third, you need to make a ARexx script to issue the commands to LW to
complete the rendering. You can do this with a simple text editor and save
the file, like “Drive:'Toaster/Arexx_Examples/LightWave.rexx' then `run'
the script by typing in the CLI
`RX `Drive:'Toaster/Arexx_Examples/LightWave.rexx'. The .doc file explains
how to run it and even comes with a example script but I have a simple
script that you can cut and paste then change the LoadScene commands for
the scenes you want rendered.
If you have any problems let me know.
<<<Cut here>>>
/* LightWave ARexx Example Program */
address 'LightWaveARexx.port'
'LoadScene Scenes/Rain'
'SaveImages Images/Rain' /* activates IFF24 file saving */
'Render 1' /* starts rendering with automatic frame advance */
/* the program will automatically wait until scene A is done */
'LoadScene Scenes/TheUSAscene'
'SaveFrames Images/USA' /* activates framestore saving */
'Render 1'
address
exit
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
Will other programs controlled by Arexx act sequentially? For
instance, in your script you plug away merrily, can we then send a
command to Studio16 to play a track and then continue with Lightwave?
Will the script wait till Studio16 is done or keep going
Asynchronously?
Whether arexx commands are handled asynchronously or not is determined by
the application, depending what makes sense. LightWave also has async
versions of some rendering commands, where you tell it to start, then
query it every so often.
>in your script you plug away merrily, can we then send a command to
>Studio16 to play a track and then continue with Lightwave?
You sure can. You would have to add a `Address'(Studio16) command which
then sends the commands to the new address (Studio16). I don't have
Studio16 so I wouldn't know the commands.
>Will the script wait till Studio16 is done or keep going Asynchronously?
I don't know but I thought ARexx will wait until the program called
returns control.
Why would you want to play Studio16 while rendering? Is this as a reminder
or is it to actually edit the sounds into the tape being rendered to?
I ask because the command `Render 1' will render the whole scene without
returning control until it is done.
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
Thanks Tony (and Aki)-
I've been goofing around a little. I have the script render a frame
then Studio 16 says out loud what frame was rendered and how long it
took. In 16 BIT AUDIO TO BOOT 🙂 Actually, YAK says how long it took.
When I call from work I can here what the last frame rendered was and
how long it took. I won't tell you how Ami answers the phone though,
Rube Goldberg would be pleased 🙂
>I've been goofing around a little.
Oh no!!! :^)
So you got the script to speak after each rendered frame, why don't
you post it?
>When I call from work I can here what the last frame rendered was and how
>long it took.
Is this done only thru Studio 16? or can anyone do this?
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
You do need to know Arexx. See your other reply for a way to do it
now. BUT, in the future, you may want to buy a product called
WaveMaker. It is a great program for quickly generating LightWave
scenes among other things. One of the cool features it has is the
ability to batch render scene files. The program is published by
Axiom Software and written by LightWave guru Tony Stutterheim. The
bad news is that it is not shipping yet, but will in a month or two.
I've seen early versions of the program in action and can definitely
recommend it. (two thumbs up)
JG