After Effects not creating a file to save to

Deadline
1

Hi,

I was just trying to set up rendering with After Effects with a simple project.
When rendering it seems to successfully load aerender and find the project file.
It then identifies where I want to save it to correctly then insists that the file destination doesn’t exist.

Log Below where something is incorrect-

Blockquote 2018-09-04 14:46:15: 0: INFO: Process is now running
2018-09-04 14:46:20: 0: STDOUT: aerender version 13.7.2x3
2018-09-04 14:46:20: 0: STDOUT: PROGRESS: Launching After Effects…
2018-09-04 14:46:20: 0: STDOUT: PROGRESS: …After Effects successfully launched
2018-09-04 14:46:20: 0: INFO: Process exit code: 0
2018-09-04 14:46:20: 0: INFO: Checking for file “/var/root/Documents/ae_render_only_node.txt”
2018-09-04 14:46:20: 0: INFO: Attempting to delete “/var/root/Documents/ae_render_only_node.txt” to allow After Effects to run in the workstation environment
2018-09-04 14:46:20: 0: INFO: Checking file size of “/Volumes/3D/Deadline/simple/Render/test.mov”
2018-09-04 14:46:20: 0: INFO: test.mov does not exist
2018-09-04 14:46:20: 0: Done executing plugin command of type ‘Render Task’

I have enabled “Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access network” as per the documentation.
We are using other applications with Deadline on the same servers so I don’t think its some sort of file permissions.
Also tried both .mov and Image sequences.

Thanks I feel I may have missed a step.

2

Yeah, it doesn’t seem to be rendering anything at all. Normally you would see the frames being calculated, but it’s immediately exiting.

I’ve seen this happen, but don’t know the cause just yet and am asking around here.

Have you tried different AE projects yet? If you haven’t, try starting one from scratch.

3

Unfortunately yes tried quite a few projects now, the one submitted is very simple.
Tried a couple different macs too.
I also had a go at doing it manually with a command line script submitted from Deadline. This would launch similarly then “complete” the job after starting the process not obeying the “-project [location]” argument as far as the log suggested…

Thanks for asking around!

4

I didn’t get much from asking here, but Google’s magical indexing powers brought up a similar thread and while I’m not sure if it is a plugin doing the wrong things, it may be worth a try. Thanks to @mikeowen for that one.

Do you have a machine that doesn’t have any plugins installed on it that we could use as an A/B comparison test? I think if it does render we could install one plugin at a time until it has trouble. The fact that you’re able to run it from the command line leads me to believe that it’s not a GPU issue here. In the past there have been issues with AE not being able to to use GPU acceleration.

5

I will give this a go on a spare moment thanks.

The only thing that makes me not sure is I can use “aerender -project” correctly if I type it directly into a terminal on that machine - with all the plugins available.

6

Can you elaborate on that? We’re using the “-project” flag ourselves when we run AE if I recall correctly. When you type the whole command into the command line, it does work properly? Can you share what you’re running there? Feel free to change the path the the AEP file and the comp used.

7

Hi there, tagging on because I’m seeing the same thing and I tried it in a terminal as you suggested – and it did create the expected output, whereas having deadline run the same command just caused AE to close on launch. Here’s the console output from copy/pasting the command from the task log and running it myself, and a task log from Deadline where the command runs on the same host.

I also tried this with EXR sequences instead of MOV and had the same result – no EXR’s rendered from deadline but running the command myself produces the output. I’ve tried different comps and different projects, but regardless of what I tried I can’t get Deadline processes to produce any output images.

CONSOLE OUTPUT:

LANDEU-DMXc3735:Adobe After Effects CC 2018 steelheadvfx05$ ./aerender -project “/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/script/AE_Deadline_Test_v01.aep” -comp “Comp_1” -s 0 -e 135 -v ERRORS_AND_PROGRESS -close DO_NOT_SAVE_CHANGES -sound OFF
aerender version 15.1.2x69
PROGRESS: Launching After Effects…
PROGRESS: …After Effects successfully launched
PROGRESS: 11/21/18 12:21:03 PM PST: Starting composition Comp_1.

PROGRESS: Render Settings: Current Settings - Full Res
PROGRESS: Quality: Current Settings
PROGRESS: Resolution: Full
PROGRESS: Size: 1920 x 1080
PROGRESS: Proxy Use: Use No Proxies
PROGRESS: Effects: Current Settings
PROGRESS: Disk Cache: Read Only
PROGRESS: Color Depth: Current Settings
PROGRESS: Frame Blending: On for Checked Layers
PROGRESS: Field Render: Off
PROGRESS: Pulldown: Off
PROGRESS: Motion Blur: On for Checked Layers
PROGRESS: Solos: Current Settings
PROGRESS: Time Span: Custom
PROGRESS: Start: 0:00:00:00
PROGRESS: End: 0:00:05:15
PROGRESS: Duration: 0:00:05:16
PROGRESS: Frame Rate: 24.00 (comp)
PROGRESS: Guide Layers: All Off
PROGRESS: Skip Existing Files: Off
PROGRESS:
PROGRESS: Output Module: ProRes 4444
PROGRESS: Output To: /Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1.mov
PROGRESS: Format: QuickTime
PROGRESS: Output Info: Apple ProRes 4444
PROGRESS: Include: Project Link
PROGRESS: Output Audio: Off
PROGRESS: Channels: RGB + Alpha
PROGRESS: Depth: Millions of Colors+
PROGRESS: Color: Premultiplied
PROGRESS: Resize: -
PROGRESS: Crop: -
PROGRESS: Final Size: 1920 x 1080
PROGRESS: Profile: -
PROGRESS: Post-Render Action: None
PROGRESS:
PROGRESS: 0:00:00:00 (1): 0 Seconds
PROGRESS: 0:00:00:01 (2): 0 Seconds
PROGRESS: 0:00:00:02 (3): 0 Seconds
PROGRESS: 0:00:00:03 (4): 0 Seconds

\\\\\\\\\\\\\ I deleted these lines, same as above and below for 100 frames. \\\\\\\

PROGRESS: 0:00:05:13 (134): 0 Seconds
PROGRESS: 0:00:05:14 (135): 0 Seconds
PROGRESS: 0:00:05:15 (136): 0 Seconds
PROGRESS: 11/21/18 12:21:20 PM PST: Finished composition Comp_1.

PROGRESS: Total Time Elapsed: 17 Seconds

DEADLINE TASK LOG:

Error

=======================================================

Error: There were 1 or more errors with the output

at Deadline.Plugins.PluginWrapper.RenderTasks (System.String taskId, System.Int32 startFrame, System.Int32 endFrame, System.String& outMessage, FranticX.Processes.ManagedProcess+AbortLevel& abortLevel) [0x002ea] in <f4bf54e6e6e141fca296a09ddba3f195>:0

=======================================================

Type

=======================================================

RenderPluginException

=======================================================

Stack Trace

=======================================================

at Deadline.Plugins.SandboxedPlugin.d (Deadline.Net.DeadlineMessage anx) [0x00242] in <f4bf54e6e6e141fca296a09ddba3f195>:0

at Deadline.Plugins.SandboxedPlugin.RenderTask (System.String taskId, System.Int32 startFrame, System.Int32 endFrame) [0x000df] in <f4bf54e6e6e141fca296a09ddba3f195>:0

at Deadline.Slaves.SlaveRenderThread.c (Deadline.IO.TaskLogWriter aeh) [0x00718] in <f4bf54e6e6e141fca296a09ddba3f195>:0

=======================================================

Log

=======================================================

2018-11-21 11:17:26: 0: Loading Job’s Plugin timeout is Disabled

2018-11-21 11:17:28: 0: Executing plugin command of type ‘Sync Files for Job’

2018-11-21 11:17:28: 0: All job files are already synchronized

2018-11-21 11:17:28: 0: Plugin AfterEffects was already synchronized.

2018-11-21 11:17:28: 0: Done executing plugin command of type ‘Sync Files for Job’

2018-11-21 11:17:28: 0: Executing plugin command of type ‘Initialize Plugin’

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: INFO: Executing plugin script ‘/var/root/Library/Application Support/Thinkbox/Deadline10/slave/landeu-dmxc3735/plugins/5bf5aee2de28f018e85ca543/AfterEffects.py’

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: INFO: Fail Without Finished Message set to: False

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: INFO: Fail on Existing After Effects process: False (from plugin info override)

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: INFO: About: After Effects Plugin for Deadline

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: INFO: Render Job As User disabled, running as current user ‘root’

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: INFO: The job’s environment will be merged with the current environment before rendering

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: Done executing plugin command of type ‘Initialize Plugin’

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: Start Job timeout is disabled.

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: Task timeout is disabled.

2018-11-21 11:17:29: 0: Loaded job: AE_Deadline_Test_v01.aep - Comp_1 (5bf5aee2de28f018e85ca543)

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: Executing plugin command of type ‘Start Job’

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Executing global asset transfer preload script ‘/var/root/Library/Application Support/Thinkbox/Deadline10/slave/landeu-dmxc3735/plugins/5bf5aee2de28f018e85ca543/GlobalAssetTransferPreLoad.py’

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Looking for AWS Portal File Transfer…

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: No File Transfer controller is available for this platform (darwin).

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Could not find AWS Portal File Transfer.

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: AWS Portal File Transfer is not installed on the system.

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Executing global job preload script ‘/var/root/Library/Application Support/Thinkbox/Deadline10/slave/landeu-dmxc3735/plugins/5bf5aee2de28f018e85ca543/GlobalJobPreLoad.py’

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Looking for AWS Portal File Transfer…

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: No File Transfer controller is available for this platform (darwin).

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Could not find AWS Portal File Transfer.

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: AWS Portal File Transfer is not installed on the system.

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: Done executing plugin command of type ‘Start Job’

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: Plugin rendering frame(s): 0-135

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: Executing plugin command of type ‘Render Task’

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: CheckPathMapping: Swapped "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/script/AE_Deadline_Test_v01.aep" with "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/script/AE_Deadline_Test_v01.aep"

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Attempting to create "/var/root/Documents/ae_render_only_node.txt" to force After Effects to run in Render Engine mode

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Stdout Redirection Enabled: True

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Asynchronous Stdout Enabled: False

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Stdout Handling Enabled: True

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Popup Handling Enabled: True

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: QT Popup Handling Enabled: False

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: WindowsForms10.Window.8.app.* Popup Handling Enabled: False

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Using Process Tree: True

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Hiding DOS Window: True

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Creating New Console: False

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Running as user: root

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Slave After Effects version: 15.1.2x69

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Submitted from After Effects version: 15.1.2x69

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Executable: "/Applications/Adobe After Effects CC 2018/aerender"

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Argument: -project "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/script/AE_Deadline_Test_v01.aep" -comp "Comp_1" -s 0 -e 135 -v ERRORS_AND_PROGRESS -close DO_NOT_SAVE_CHANGES -sound OFF

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Full Command: "/Applications/Adobe After Effects CC 2018/aerender" -project "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/script/AE_Deadline_Test_v01.aep" -comp "Comp_1" -s 0 -e 135 -v ERRORS_AND_PROGRESS -close DO_NOT_SAVE_CHANGES -sound OFF

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Startup Directory: "/Applications/Adobe After Effects CC 2018"

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Process Priority: BelowNormal

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Process Affinity: default

2018-11-21 11:17:30: 0: INFO: Process is now running

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: STDOUT: aerender version 15.1.2x69

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: STDOUT: PROGRESS: Launching After Effects…

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: STDOUT: PROGRESS: …After Effects successfully launched

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Process exit code: 0

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Checking for file "/var/root/Documents/ae_render_only_node.txt"

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Attempting to delete "/var/root/Documents/ae_render_only_node.txt" to allow After Effects to run in the workstation environment

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: CheckPathMapping: Swapped "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1_#####.exr" with "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1_#####.exr"

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Checking file size of "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1_00000.exr"

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Comp_1_00000.exr does not exist

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Checking file size of "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1_00001.exr"

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Comp_1_00001.exr does not exist

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Checking file size of "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1_00002.exr"

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Comp_1_00002.exr does not exist

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Checking file size of "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1_00003.exr"

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Comp_1_00003.exr does not exist

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Checking file size of "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1_00004.exr"

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Comp_1_00004.exr does not exist

///////////////////// Deleted this part, every line was the same as above and below ////////////////

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Checking file size of "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1_00134.exr"

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Comp_1_00134.exr does not exist

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Checking file size of "/Volumes/Steelhead_SAN/sandbox/AE_Deadline_Test/renders/Comp_1_00135.exr"

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: INFO: Comp_1_00135.exr does not exist

2018-11-21 11:17:35: 0: Done executing plugin command of type ‘Render Task’

=======================================================

Details

=======================================================

Date: 11/21/2018 11:17:38

Frames: 0-135

Elapsed Time: 00:00:00:12

Job Submit Date: 11/21/2018 11:15:46

Job User: steelheadvfx05

Average RAM Usage: 41903331738 (61%)

Peak RAM Usage: 42007916544 (62%)

Average CPU Usage: 12%

Peak CPU Usage: 20%

Used CPU Clocks (x10^6 cycles): 55727

Total CPU Clocks (x10^6 cycles): 464387

=======================================================

Slave Information

=======================================================

Slave Name: LANDEU-DMXc3735

Version: v10.0.19.0 Release (52defb510)

Operating System: Mac OS X 10.12.6

Machine User: root

IP Address: 10.203.146.16

MAC Address: 00:3E:E1:C5:2E:3E

CPU Architecture: x86_64

CPUs: 24

CPU Usage: 7%

Memory Usage: 39.0 GB / 64.0 GB (60%)

Free Disk Space: 220.011 GB

Video Card: AMD FirePro D700

8

The Slave is running as “root” which makes me think that Deadline’s running as a daemon/service. It’s likely that AE doesn’t have access to the GPU there on macOS.

Here’s a snippet from our After Effects docs:

Note: It has come to our attention that After Effects GPU acceleration has been the source of some problems for our clients recently. When using GPU acceleration, ensure that any Slave that can pick up the job has OpenCL or CUDA compliant hardware and drivers installed. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of After Effects, we are unable to modify this setting before rendering and can only warn you/change it on submission.

In the case of headless machines with no GPU capabilities, ensure you select to use Mercury Software Only option in your Project Settings in After Effects before job submission to remove the Deadline printed warning message. GPU rendering while running as a service is NOT supported, so Mercury Software Only option should be used. However, this is dependent on whether the latest graphics drivers or 3rd party GPU accelerated AE plugins are being used as well. After Effects will typically revert to using the CPU for rendering if it is unable to locate any GPU devices.