Using a network share for Plugins 3ds Max 20011

anon55353796 · December 3, 2010, 6:24pm

Hello All, (put your reading glasses on)

I’m new to forums and to deadline really. I have been tasked with setting up a networked share as the plugin folder for our workstations and our slaves. Our particular problem is that we have over 40 render slaves.
Whenever a designer adds a new font or plugin it just takes too long to install on the entire farm.

The only documentation I can see on this relates way back to 3ds Max 5. The link here usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps … eID=123112

This seemed pretty straight forward. Seemed.
3ds Max 2011 doesn’t seem to use the same .ini files in the same places.

I found the following files and modified them with the proper UNC path. In this case “\192.168.1.27\Plug_ins” (i can mount said folder on the slave machine with no issue btw)

C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2011 - 64bit\enu\3dsmax.ini

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\plugin.ini

In these two files i replaced the reference to directories as shown in the link tutorial.

The result was less than spectacular.

Error Type:

RenderPluginException

Report Message:

An error occurred in StartJob(): 3dsmax startup: Error getting connection from 3dsmax: Monitored managed process “3dsmaxProcess” has exited or been terminated.
2010/12/03 10:51:42 WRN: Class from <MultiTexture_max2010_64.dlt> has duplicate class ID: not loading. This may be due to a duplicate plug-in path. Continue showing warnings?
2010/12/03 10:51:49 DBG: Starting network
2010/12/03 10:51:50 ERR: An unexpected exception has occurred in the network renderer and it is terminating.

Slave Log:

titles matching the regular expression “.Welcome To Vue 8 xStream!.” will be handled by pressing “Don’t show this dialog again;Close”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Vue 8 xStream.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.3ds Max Performance Driver.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.* Autodesk Customer Involvement Program.*” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.nPower Software Plugin Product Selection Dialog.” will be handled by pressing “Solids Bundle (Solids + Translators);OK”
0: INFO: Stdout Handling Enabled: False
0: INFO: Popup Handling Enabled: True
0: INFO: Using Process Tree: True
0: INFO: Hiding DOS Window: False
0: INFO: Creating New Console: False
0: INFO: Render Executable: “C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\3dsmax.exe”
0: INFO: Render Argument: -p “dl.ini” -q -s “C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Prime Focus\Deadline\slave\plugins\deadlineStartupMax2011.max”
0: INFO: Startup Directory: “C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011”
0: INFO: Process Priority: BelowNormal
0: INFO: Process is now running
0: INFO: Waiting for connection from 3dsmax
0: WARNING: Monitored managed process 3dsmaxProcess is no longer running
Scheduler Thread - Render Thread 0 threw an error:
Scheduler Thread - An error occurred in StartJob(): 3dsmax startup: Error getting connection from 3dsmax: Monitored managed process “3dsmaxProcess” has exited or been terminated.
2010/12/03 10:51:42 WRN: Class from <MultiTexture_max2010_64.dlt> has duplicate class ID: not loading. This may be due to a duplicate plug-in path. Continue showing warnings?

2010/12/03 10:51:49 DBG: Starting network

2010/12/03 10:51:50 ERR: An unexpected exception has occurred in the network renderer and it is terminating.

Error Stack Trace:

at Deadline.Plugins.ScriptPlugin.StartJob(Job job)
at Deadline.Plugins.Plugin.StartJob(Job job)
at Deadline.Slaves.SlaveRenderThread.RenderCurrentTask()

and the log entry

0: Task timeout is disabled.
0: Loaded job: TimeBomb_lookdev_12 (002_100_999_6ce7fd38)
0: INFO: StartJob: initializing script plugin 3dsmax
0: INFO: About: 3dsmax Plugin for Deadline
0: INFO: Start Job called - starting up 3dsmax plugin
0: INFO: Rendering with 3dsmax version: 2011
0: INFO: Build of 3dsmax to force: 64bit
0: INFO: Rendering with executable: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\3dsmax.exe
0: INFO: Checking registry for 3dsmax language code
0: INFO: Found language code: 409
0: INFO: Language code string: enu
0: INFO: Fail on existing 3dsmax process: 0
0: INFO: Load 3dsmax timeout: 1000 seconds
0: INFO: Start job timeout: 1000 seconds
0: INFO: Progress update timeout: 8000 seconds
0: INFO: Progress update timout disabled: 0
0: INFO: Slave mode enabled: 1
0: INFO: Silent mode enabled: 0
0: INFO: Local rendering enabled: 1
0: INFO: Strict 3dsmax check enabled: 1
0: INFO: Verifying installation of 3dsmax 2011 at C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011
0: INFO: Version of core.dll: 13.1.0.114
0: INFO: Ensuring 3dsmax install is valid
0: INFO: Running 3dsmaxcmd workaround
0: INFO: 3dsmaxcmd.exe returned: P12/3/2010 10:54:12 AM; Error opening scene file: “C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011”
0: INFO: 3dsmax start up file: C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Prime Focus\Deadline\slave\plugins\deadlineStartupMax2011.max
0: INFO: Using user profiles: 1
0: INFO: Using 3dsmax ini file: C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2011 - 64bit\enu\3dsmax.ini
0: INFO: Network log file: C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2011 - 64bit\enu\Network\Max.log
0: INFO: Plugin ini file: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\plugin.ini
0: INFO: Not including user profile plugin ini because it does not exist: C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2011 - 64bit\enu\Plugin.UserSettings.ini
0: INFO: Lightning connection plugin: C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Prime Focus\Deadline\slave\plugins\lightning64Max2011.dlx
0: INFO: 3dsmax socket connection port: 64184
0: INFO: Creating startup script: C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Temp\lightning_startup.ms
0: INFO: Copying C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Prime Focus\Deadline\slave\plugins\lightning64Max2011.dlx to C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Prime Focus\Deadline\temp\lightning\lightning.dlx
0: INFO: Copying dl.ini to C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2011 - 64bit\enu to workaround a problem with version 2011
0: INFO: If this fails, make sure that the necessary permissions are set on this folder to allow for this copy to take place
0: INFO: Starting monitored managed process 3dsmaxProcess
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Brazil Console.” will be ignored
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.MSP Acceleration.” will be ignored
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.FumeFX:.” will be ignored
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.FumeFX Dynamics:.” will be ignored
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Maxwell Translation Window.” will be ignored
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.New updates are available - Craft Director Tools.” will be ignored
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “Hair Farm” will be ignored
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.VRay authorization.” will be handled by pressing “Cancel”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.V-Ray warning.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.File Load: Units Mismatch.” will be handled by pressing “Adopt the File’s Unit Scale?;OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.File Load: Gamma & LUT Settings Mismatch.” will be handled by pressing “Adopt the File’s Gamma and LUT Settings?;OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.3ds Max.” will be handled by pressing “Yes”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Frame Rate Change.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.MAXScript Auto-load Script Error.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Render history settings.” will be handled by pressing “OK;No”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Warning - the software has encountered a problem.” will be handled by pressing “Don’t show me this error again;Continue”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Frantic Films FPS Watchdog.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Missing Dlls.” will be handled by pressing “Cancel”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “Brazil r/s Rio Warning” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “3D Studio MAX” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.New updates are available - Craft Director Tools.” will be handled by pressing “Cancel”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Pop-up Note.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Tablet Version Mismatch.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Tablet Driver.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Gather error.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Image I/O Error.” will be handled by pressing “Retry”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Important nPower Plug-in Messages.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.glu3D.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.glu3D Warning!.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Bitmap Filter Error.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Maxwell Plug-in Update Notification.” will be handled by pressing “Don’t notify me about this version automatically;Close”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.RealFlow Plug-in Update Notification.” will be handled by pressing “Don’t notify me about this version automatically;Close”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Learning Movies.” will be handled by pressing “Show this dialog at startup;Close”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Obsolete File.” will be handled by pressing “Don’t display this message.;OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Error Loading.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.IO Error.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Error.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Loading of custom driver failed.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “Warning” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Welcome To Vue 8 xStream!.” will be handled by pressing “Don’t show this dialog again;Close”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.Vue 8 xStream.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.3ds Max Performance Driver.” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.* Autodesk Customer Involvement Program.*” will be handled by pressing “OK”
0: INFO: Any popup windows with titles matching the regular expression “.nPower Software Plugin Product Selection Dialog.” will be handled by pressing “Solids Bundle (Solids + Translators);OK”
0: INFO: Stdout Handling Enabled: False
0: INFO: Popup Handling Enabled: True
0: INFO: Using Process Tree: True
0: INFO: Hiding DOS Window: False
0: INFO: Creating New Console: False
0: INFO: Render Executable: “C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\3dsmax.exe”
0: INFO: Render Argument: -p “dl.ini” -q -s “C:\Users\dkstaff\AppData\Local\Prime Focus\Deadline\slave\plugins\deadlineStartupMax2011.max”
0: INFO: Startup Directory: “C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011”
0: INFO: Process Priority: BelowNormal
0: INFO: Process is now running
0: INFO: Waiting for connection from 3dsmax
0: WARNING: Monitored managed process 3dsmaxProcess is no longer running

Log Details
Log Date/Time = Dec 03/10 10:55:00
Frames = 380-389

Slave Machine = Chirender115
Slave Version = v4.1.0.42706 R

Plugin Name = 3dsmax

It looks like Deadline creates it’s own modified .ini file which is mussed up by my mucking about.

I have only created this step on the slave and not on the machine issuing the render btw.

Before I get too far down this rabbit hole, does anyone know if Deadline supports this functionality?

Thanks in advance for any and all help with this.

rrussell · December 3, 2010, 6:38pm

Hi there,

I would imagine Deadline supports this functionality. Based on the error message, the problem seems to be that a plugin is being loaded more than once. When Deadline sets up its ini file, all the file contains is a reference to the original plugin ini file (C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\plugin.ini), and a single entry that loads Lightning (Deadline’s plugin for 3dsmax). So Deadline shouldn’t be doing anything that would interfere with using a network folder for plugins.

Have you tried launching Max in interactive mode on the render slave? I would expect you would get a similar plugin warning on startup. It would probably be easier to debug these issues in interactive mode, and then try rendering again through Deadline once the plugin conflicts have been resolved.

Cheers,

Ryan

anon55353796 · December 3, 2010, 7:44pm

Thanks Ryan,

Will give it a shot. Perhaps there is an entry for the deadline plugin in the .ini file that i didn’t get redirected correctly. Will fire her up and will advise of outcome.

As you know been getting a lot more experience with this lately, and you have been great help!

rrussell · December 3, 2010, 7:58pm

Actually, you don’t have to worry about manually adding the Deadline plugin (Lightning) to any of your plugin ini files. Deadline does this automatically, which is why it creates its own.

For example, lets say max uses C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\plugin.ini as it’s plugin ini file. Prior to launching max, Deadline will create a custom ini file that looks like this:

[Directories]
Lightning Plugin=c:\path\to\lightning\folder

[Include]
Original=C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\plugin.ini

So essentially, the directory to Deadline’s lightning plugin is appended to the original plugin.ini file.

So yeah, for now it would probably be best to remove Deadline from the equation to ensure max starts up properly on its own using the network plugin folder. Once that’s solid, then introduce Deadline and let us know if you still run into problems.

Cheers,

Ryan