2008

9 Once a Server successfully renders one frame, the Manager assigns a block
of frames to the server to render; it might assign 20 consecutive frames.
This minimizes the amount of communication needed between the Server
and Manager.
10 The Server continues rendering frames for the job until the job is done.
11 The Server then closes 3ds Max, and goes idle. If the queue contains
additional jobs, the Server picks up the next job and starts the process
all over again.
You can use this explanation to help determine the basic requirements
for your network rendering setup, based on the type of usage. If your
frames render quickly, you'll need a fast file server machine to handle
the constant output from a number of different rendering servers. The
same holds true of your scene uses a large quantity of map files that are
stored in a central location. If you typically render large files, rendering
will take longer, and most of the bandwidth will be required at the start,
when the files are distributed to the rendering servers.
Next Step
Checking Requirements on page 6259
Starting Network Rendering
Once you've set up the network rendering system and
software on page 6272 ,
there are two steps to starting a network rendering session:
■ Start the Manager program on one machine and the Server program on
every other machine in the network. See Basic Procedures for Network
Rendering
on page 6233 . The machine being used as a manager can also be
used as a rendering server.
■ Start a rendering job from the software on a networked machine with an
authorized copy of 3ds Max.
The Manager and Server programs need to be started and left running during
a network rendering session. Either program remains in operation until you
shut it down or shut down the machine.
6248 | Chapter 18 Rendering