8

Setting Up Directories 181
interactively and is used to submit jobs for network
rendering.
Refer to the Installation Guide for details about
installing 3ds Max.
Note: Systems that are intended to act a dedicated
rendering servers do not require authorization.
Setting Up Director ies
During network rendering, common directories
(directories that are shared across the network)
allow access to files needed by all the rendering
servers. You can organize, share, and (if necessary)
mount these directories.
There are two types of common directories:
•
Ma p dir ectories —One or more directories
where maps and images are stored. These can
be both project-specific and general locations.
•
Outpu t dir ectory —Asingledirectorywhere
completed frames are sent from each rendering
server, also called the target directory. You
specify this directory for each job. This can also
be a local directory on each machine.
The network rendering system uses the Universal
Naming Convention (UNC) to identif y directories
and files. U NC names begin with a double
backslash and do
not includeadriveletter.This
is the convention:
\\m achine_name\directory\subdirector y\
filename
Impor tant: To simplify network rendering, use UNC
names whenever p ossible within a 3ds Max scene, even
if the directory is on the local machine.
Tip:
When entering UNC names, omit the \\ before
the computer name until you’ve entered the entire
path and file name. This eliminates search delays
when entering UNC path names into file selection
dialogs.
Some networks require drive letters instead of
UNC names. Directories on such networks can
bemountedasdrivelettersandsharedoverthe
network. See
Mounting a Directory (page 3–182) .
Or gani zi ng Dir ector i es
Correctly organizing directories is critical to the
success of your rendering farm. Every element
in a scene needs to be available to each server for
a complete rendering. The goal is to give every
machineinyournetworkthesame"picture"of
wherefilesarelocated.Followtheseruleswhen
organizing your directories:
•
Share directories (page 3–182) to make them
available to the network.
• Use UNC file specification when assigning
maps files and output directories, even when
the directory is on a local machine.
Creating Ma p Dir ector ies
As you assign materials in a scene, the software
stores the complete path to each map you use. The
program searches for that particular location. If
necessary, the program continues to look through
thedirectorycontainingthescenefileandits
subdirectories.
Maps, specific to a project, should be kept in a
dedicated directory that has been set up for that
project. You can create subdirectories below this
directory to organize files. This directory needs to
be shared using Windows Explorer.
Maps for general use, such as texture libraries,
canbeorganizedasyouchoose. Thecomputers
containing such libraries need to be on the
network, and the directories need to be shared.
Creating a Common Output Director y
A common output directory is a single directory
on one hard disk where rendered frames
accumulate during network rendering. When