CompuServe Thread

Hi Jeff, << networking and 3ds.. >> Have you read…. File Info for 3DSNET.TXT Section: Autodesk 3D Studio Contributor: 76702,531 Size: 42302 Submitted: 1/10/94 Type: Text Accesses: 440 Title: Confessions of a Network Renderer Keys: 3DS 3D STUDIO NET NETWORK RENDER CONFESSIONS The non-definitive guide to setting up 3D Studio network rendering. 12 weeks on the best seller list, this original manuscript was found in the attic of an an unnamed Autodesk Product Support technician prior to its being edited into an "official" document. The official document (more corporate) is also available upon request. (Approximate download time at 2400 bps using CIS B: 2:20) (An ASCII file; read online, capture to a file, or download with a protocol) Our forum members use several networking software packages. They may be able to provide you with real-world feedback on your configuration ideas. jonas[adesk]

Jeff, I started one of the recent threads on Lantastic problems, but there are others out there using it with no problems. If you have been looking into networks, I'm sure you know the differences between price. Supposedly Lantastic has a 30 day guarantee on their product (I'd verify it with them first). I didn't want to dedicate a server with Novell, so I went with Lantastic. Now it seems that I may get Lantastic to work if I dedicate one computer as a server, and the rest as workstations. Kind of like playing the lottery… No one is sure if the current problems are a result of hardware or software. I would recommend keeping your Pentium motherboards the same brand to help reduce inconsistancies across your network. At the least, get your network going with like motherboards, and add on more workstations as you verify correct operation. I've heard that if you spend lots of money and everything works, it's really great (I've also heard if it doesn't you get real cynical). Good luck! byron engineering arts

Greetings Jeff- I'm about to embark on a similar school network odyessy ( I teach at Virginia Commonwealth University's Sculpture Department). I don't have any answers for you (unfortunately), but I certainly interested in the answers you will recieve on the forum. I finally got R4 installed on 6 486's last week. My plan is those 6 plus a 90mhz Pentium, connected via ethernet and running Windows for Workgroups 3.11 in "some sort of DOS" mode. I know its possible because I read about it here. (g) I'm going to shoot for WFW because its what I have installed, and I've already got WIN NT 3.5 system running as a server and print spooler on the net. I've been skimming the network responses on the forum for a couple of months and I've seen some positive responses from folks. Message posted by Brian Rudolf in December: >Yyou can use the NT machine as a SERVER( ie, a place to keep files, and >will never run on the machine that has NT, it is not compatable. >the WFW network drivers from DOS, setting them up as a peer to peer >network, all connecting to a comon directory on the NT server. Set up >you network paths to point to that directory, and you should be set. >You can also set your images to render to the NT server hard disk or >keep them local on the slave machines hard disk. Good Luck, Carlton

Jeff, This is and has been done already. Without going in to a blatent promotion I'd like you to E-Mail me you Phone Number or you can feel free to contact me directly. The Solution I'm referring to is currently under development [trade name RenderGarden/RenderFarm/RenderJungle] and we've already shown a working model as early as August 1994 at our 3D Artist Seminar and Conference over a 3 day period. James M. Murphy James Murphy Consulting (414) 435-7345 (414) 437-3898 Thank you for this consideration. Murph'