ERROR! net render troubleshooting

[aerotrain99]

I am working on solving a net rendering issue right now with 3ds Max Design 2009. I read through several threads on other forums, thought I'd post one here. Here is a brief description of my workflow process:

--3dsMax and Backburner installed on 5 office computers
--Revit model exported to FBX then imported to 3dsMax to edit on my workstation
--Project then saved on my computer’s local C: drive
--Within 3dsMax model space - materials, maps, RPC content were applied using various sources
--Within 3dsMax – an animated walkthrough was created for the scene (2000 frames total)
--Scene is virtually ready to be rendered using the net rendering feature
--Backburner is set up for the 5 office computers – my workstation running the Manager and Monitor application and the other 4 running the Server application
--Backburner reads and acknowledges the other computers fine and are net render tested SUCCESSFULLY using a few tutorial scenes
--Preparation for net rendering 3dsMax file: Local file is “archived” within 3dsMax and saved to our offices network drive
--The archived file is then unzipped so that all of the paths and contents are readily accessible from the network drive for use by the other 4 office computers
--The file is opened in 3dsMax and sent to Backburner for net rendering…..
--Backburner sends the job and the other computers attempt to render the scenes from the animation but ERROR and cannot begin the rendering process
--The error reads: An unexpected exception has occurred in the network renderer and it is terminating (yeah, that vague annoying error)

I have been unable to successfully troubleshoot this dilemma. Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps I am missing a step or an option for successfully net rendering – could be anything: user paths, render setup dialogue, compatibility, file accessibility, job assignment, file size, project links, etc.

Render setup is as follows: 3dsMax Design 2009 - mentalray - 32bit - windowsXP - 4 nodes - sufficient memory/graphics - saving to PNG formats - View set to Walkthrough Camera - average resolution output
(Manager Unit (my workstation) is windowsXP 64, BUT running Max 32bit)

[Steve_Bennett]

Just thinking out loud, but could it be due to issuing the job from a 64bit OS causes the error on the 32 bit apps?

Also, have you tried going to one of the server boxes and tried opening the scene from there to see if you can get it to open and render at least one frame without an error or warning?

[dellis]

I would check the paths.....if you haven't re-mapped them once you unzip that archive file onto your network location....that would cause failures. it would, typically, give you a could not find missing files error but its worth a try.

[loydg]

I think everyone is on the right path. UNC paths are the safest method:

\\servername\folder\project folder\file

Netpaths that start with a letter drive may not be recognized by other systems unless they use the same letter designation.

Dumb question, but is Max uinstalled on the "servers?"

[aerotrain99]

As far as I've detected, there is no dilemma sending the job from a 64bit to the 32bit machines (test renders have worked fine from tutorial scenes). I did try reversing the process and sending the job from one of the 32bit machines to the others - it connected to the other computers just fine but still no luck getting the main job to render...

Yes, MaxDesign2009 installed on everything. The scene will open on the other machines - a few missing files had to be remapped - but logging on to another machine, I had to respecify the paths again - so it must be an error trying to open the application for net rendering due to the paths. I shouldn't have to remap paths everytime I open the file!

I'll try to convert what I have to UNC for specification - should I only be concerned with configuring external file paths? The File I/O tab Project File is on the network drive - should be fine. Why would the external paths, once specified, default back to each computer's C:/MyDocuments...etc.. when reopened? (Even after saving)

Thanks for the feedback.

p.s....something else I should have mentioned - If I attempt to send the render job to my own machine (computer running the manager and editing the file) - I get the same error. I especially do not understand this problem if I am able to open the file without error on my office workstation for rendering. Why would the job not be able to initiate successfully on the main machine for netrender?

[aerotrain99]

Finally able to netrender to my machine (only)
--had to remap paths in Config User Path Dialogue as well as Asset Tracking Menu
--everything UNC as well and running 32bit mental ray Max Design 2009

Other office nodes still error when job is sent to them
--the file will open individually on other machines and render but no netrender
--DBR is off as well so this is not the problem
--materials and maps and paths appear to be fine as well
--tutorial scenes netrender fine, so manager/server connection is working right

I'm out of guesses...anyone have the same issues? Suggestions?

[jessica.phieler]

I know it has been a few months since the post here, but I have ran into the same issues - with a 64bit version of max going into a 64bit render server. Basically the same situation - we tried to check the map paths, isolated pieces of the scene to figure out what it is - my diagnoses from all of this is that it is a problem with the exported FBX from the Revit model, but I cannot be sure. If anyone has a solution to this problem, please do post it!!

Thanks!