Not sure if this a deadline problem or max problem

Deadline
1

Hi

I’m using Max 16 and Vray3.20.03 on Windows 7 Pro SP 1.

I have a custom script to queue-up to deadline. It renders bakes with no problem.

When all bakes are rendered, the max file is exported using

FBX_export = “M:\MyFolder\3DModelPreview\FBX\MyFBX.fbx”
exportFile FBX_export #noPrompt selectedOnly:True using:FBXEXPORTER

The exported file ends up actually being called “deadlineStartupMax2016.fbx”. So I added to the script to renamefile, but it remains “deadlineStartupMax2016.fbx”.

If I run the script locally, the file is renamed.

Is this due to deadline locking the FBX file?

TIA

Ken

2

Some quick questions regarding this:

  • Is the job running in Force Workstation mode, or in Slave mode?
  • Is the content of the exported but misnamed FBX file actually correct?
3

Hi Bobo

The job(s) are running in slave mode.

The script sends several files to deadline for rendering bakes. The last file sent is dependent on all previous. When the last bake is rendered, it also exports the FBX.

If I import the FBX bake into Max, it is correct.

Thanks

ken

4

I’m pretty sure you can’t export or save a max scene file without the requirement to checkout a 3dsMax GUI license (a.k.a WorkStation Mode). You could enable this setting to confirm if that is indeed the case here. If so, then this is a restriction put in place by Autodesk licensing for 3dsMax.

5

I’ll check it out Mike, but as it is, it does export and the export imports correctly back into Max.

thanks

Ken

6

That’s why I asked.

Originally, Autodesk made sure that 3ds Max running in network (Slave) mode without a license cannot export any data. This included saving the .MAX file itself, or using any exporter.

I am very surprised that the FBX file ended up being exported correctly, as it is not supposed to work according to Autodesk’s rules.

As Mike suggested, try forcing the job to Workstation mode (assuming your slaves can get a valid Max license), and see if anything changes… If it still does not work, we will have to look deeper.

7

Ah, I stand corrected then. Save 3dsmax scene file = no, export=yes.
The fbx filename is coming from the Lightning startup max scene file via Deadline, which is overriding your FBX filename for some reason…

EDIT: I’m going to check the latest Autodesk 3dsMax EULA…this feels like a license behavioural change here. Did Autodesk de-license the export function in slave mode? How odd…

8

I’m going to load up the max file on deadline through AUX file,run the script and see what happens. Then try it as slave in workstation mode.

thanks

9

So loading the max file from Aux folder and dropping the script on the UI, does name the FBX correctly. Trying again as slave in workstation mode.

10

As a slave in workstation mode, the file is not named correctly. It’s named ‘deadlineStartupMax2016.fbx’.