Vray and Corona DBR error

Deadline
1

Hi all,

Just recently switched to Deadline and we can render using Deadline, stills and animation fine. We are however, having issues with the Vray DBR and Corona DBR. Using the submit to Vray DBR button, we have tried launching a DBR render on our farm. We have tried reserve, update the servers and left the settings as maximum servers as 5 and port no as 20204 and then click on the Start render button. This brings up the backburner monitor screen and you have the option to choose a server. We’ve tried choosing a few servers but the job fails everytime…

The error message on deadline says

“Error: Fail On Existing Process is enabled, and a process vrayspawner 2012 with pid #### exists - shut down this copy of vray slave/spawner. Ensure VraySpawner is NOT already running (GUI or Service Mode)”

Having read this, we checked to see if the Vrayspawner was left running on the servers and it wasn’t. Help?

With the Corona DBR, we are having issues of installing the submission installer and once installed, Max splash screen opens but Max itself does not. Any ideas why?

We are using
Max 2012
Vray 3.10.02
Deadline 7.1.0.35 R

Thanks in advance

2

Hi,
I think a couple of things are going on here.

  1. ‘Net Render’ checkbox should be disabled in your Render Scene Dialog. (See attached zip for a newer submitter, which will auto disable this for you in the future).

  2. That error message: “Error: Fail on Existing…” is due to an edge case bug in our plugin file. (See attached zip for updated plugins for VRaySpawner & CoronaDR).

  3. re: CoronaDR. Not sure I follow your description. Are you having a difficulty with the submission installer? 3dsMax running locally or on a render node? Could you provide more details / screengrabs where necessary to help put this issue into context for me?

Finally, just a quick note to say that typically ADSK ‘officially’ drops support when 3dsMax is more than 5 versions older than the currently shipping version. So, when 3dsMax 2017 ships next year, 3dsMax 2012 support will be dropped (so your ok for now with 2012). Thinkbox tends to follow ADSK’s lead here, so we would look towards dropping support for Max2012 as well next year. (Although we’ll try our best to keep things going…but this is a friendly disclaimer!)…any ideas if your studio will be upgrading in the next 12 months? (and no, I don’t get any ADSK commission here :wink:)

Extract the zip file to the correct paths in your existing repo, overwriting the same named files. (Ensure you do a simple file backup beforehand!)

patch.zip (23.5 KB)

3

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the prompt reply. We shall try the patch. With regards to the Corona DBR submission installation. We are experiencing problems with Max loading once the installation has finished. So far, Max has opened but crashes instantly and then when we try to open Max again, it hangs on the splashscreen. We have tried restarting the machine and reopening max, without success. To solve the issue, we had to uninstall deadline and remove the corona and Vray DBR files.

Thanks,
Jeremy

4

Thanks Jeremy.

I’ve been unable to reproduce this issue in Max 2014, 2015, 2016 with any of our 4 x in=app submission installers for 3dsMax. (I don’t have older versions of Max installed anymore. So, I will ask a colleague if they can verify Max 2012/2013 later today for you). However, here’s some notes to see if anything stands out to you:

  1. Is it possible, this was a one off? Have you tried again? On a different machine? Perhaps, just an edge case machine?

  2. The submitter installer should be run with local admin user rights.

  3. Does it only happen for Max 2012? Do you have another version of 3dsMax you can test against?

  4. Does the issue go away if you temporarily remove the following file:
    “…[max_root]\scripts\Startup\SMTDSetup.ms”
    or (if your using by default, user profiles:)
    “C:\Users%username%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\ENU\scripts\startup\SMTDSetup.ms”

  5. Does this troublesome machine have correct access/permissions to the following file:
    “…[your_repo]submission\3dsmax\Main\SMTDMenuCreator.ms”

5

Hi,

So I’ve installed the patch on our machines and I’m happy to confirm the Vray DBR is working using the submission button however, we are having issues sending this to the render farm and offloading the scene. I followed the instructions on how to unload Vray DBR and once sent using Deadline, the servers return with this error

"Error: Could not find file ‘C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\plugcfg\vray_dr.cfg’. (System.IO.FileNotFoundException)

Help?

Thanks,

6

Hi,
Could you post the full log report from Deadline as I’d like to see this in context. Particularly, I’d like to understand what “Language” this machine has 3dsMax set to. As it seems to be missing the “enu” part in the file path.ie: I believe the path should be:
“C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit[b]enu[/b]\plugcfg\vray_dr.cfg”

7

Here you go [attachment=0]deadline_error.PNG[/attachment]

And yes, my error, I left the ‘enu’ out

8

Ah, right.
Sorry, I meant could you right-click the actual text (all of it) of a log report when you open up and view one of your errors and then post this information?

9

Ah ok, like this?

=======================================================
Error

Error: Could not find file ‘C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\enu\plugcfg\vray_dr.cfg’. (System.IO.FileNotFoundException)
at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
at System.IO.File.InternalCopy(String sourceFileName, String destFileName, Boolean overwrite, Boolean checkHost)
at Python.Runtime.Dispatcher.TrueDispatch(ArrayList args)
at Python.Runtime.Dispatcher.Dispatch(ArrayList args)
at Deadline.Plugins.DeadlinePlugin.RenderTasks()
at Deadline.Plugins.DeadlinePlugin.DoRenderTasks()
at Deadline.Plugins.ScriptPlugin.RenderTasks(String taskId, Int32 startFrame, Int32 endFrame, String& outMessage, AbortLevel& abortLevel)
at Deadline.Plugins.ScriptPlugin.RenderTasks(String taskId, Int32 startFrame, Int32 endFrame, String& outMessage, AbortLevel& abortLevel)

=======================================================
Type

RenderPluginException

=======================================================
Stack Trace

at Deadline.Plugins.Plugin.RenderTask(String taskId, Int32 startFrame, Int32 endFrame)
at Deadline.Slaves.SlaveRenderThread.a(TaskLogWriter A_0)

=======================================================
Log

2015-06-03 13:09:47: BEGIN - UKR27\ukrender
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: Start Job timeout is disabled.
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: Task timeout is disabled.
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: Loaded job: test_02 (556ee78cd1590c1fb0da746d)
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: INFO: Executing plugin script C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Thinkbox\Deadline7\slave\UKR27\plugins\556ee78cd1590c1fb0da746d\3dsmax.py
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: INFO: Slave Running as Service: False
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: INFO: About: 3dsmax Plugin for Deadline
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: INFO: The job’s environment will be merged with the current environment before rendering
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: INFO: Start Job called - starting up 3dsmax plugin
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: INFO: VRay DBR: Delaying load of 3dsmax until RenderTasks phase
2015-06-03 13:09:47: 0: Plugin rendering frame(s): 0
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Render Tasks called
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: VRay DBR: Waiting for all job tasks to be dequeued before starting distributed render
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: VRay DBR: All tasks dequeued, setting up distributed config file with the following machines:
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: UKR27
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: UKR28
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Sys Env Var PATH: C:\Program Files\Thinkbox\Deadline7\bin;C:\Windows\system32;C:\Windows;C:\Windows\System32\Wbem;C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0;C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared;C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\Backburner
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Sys Env Var PATH length: 231
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Backburner Path(s) Found in PATH: ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\Backburner’
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Backburner server.exe version: 2012.1.0.1571
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Rendering with 3dsmax version: 2012
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Build of 3dsmax to force: 64bit
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Rendering with executable: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2012\3dsmax.exe
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Slave 3dsmax.exe version: 14.12.508.0
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Slave 3dsmax.exe description: 3ds Max 2012 + productupdate_pu12/advantage_pack_extension
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Submitted from 3dsmax.exe version: 14.12.508.0
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Submitted from 3dsmax.exe description: 3ds Max 2012 + productupdate_pu12/advantage_pack_extension
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Checking registry for 3dsmax language code
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Found language code: 409
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Language code string: enu
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Fail on existing 3dsmax process: 0
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Load 3dsmax timeout: 1000 seconds
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Start job timeout: 1000 seconds
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Progress update timeout: 8000 seconds
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Progress update timeout disabled: 0
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Slave mode enabled: 0
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Silent mode enabled: 1
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Local rendering enabled: 1
2015-06-03 13:09:48: 0: INFO: Running render sanity check using 3dsmaxcmd.exe
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: 3dsmaxcmd.exe exit code: 3
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: 3dsmaxcmd.exe returned: P03/06/2015 13:09:48; Error opening scene file: “C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2012”
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: Render sanity check using 3dsmaxcmd.exe completed successfully. Please ignore the ‘Error opening…’ message thrown by 3dsmaxcmd.exe above.
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: 3dsmax start up file: C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Thinkbox\Deadline7\slave\UKR27\plugins\556ee78cd1590c1fb0da746d\deadlineStartupMax2012.max
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: Using user profiles: 1
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: 3dsmax user profile path: C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2012 - 64bit\enu
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: Scripts Startup Directory: C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2012 - 64bit\enu\scripts\startup
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: Kill ADSK WSCommCntr*.exe process: False
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: 3dsmax data path: C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\enu
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: 3dsmax ini file: C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2012 - 64bit\enu\3dsmax.ini
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: Network log file: C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2012 - 64bit\enu\Network\Max.log
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: Plugin ini file: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2012\plugin.ini
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: Including user profile plugin ini: C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\enu\Plugin.UserSettings.ini
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: Lightning connection plugin: C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Thinkbox\Deadline7\slave\UKR27\plugins\556ee78cd1590c1fb0da746d\lightning64Max2012.dlx
2015-06-03 13:09:49: 0: INFO: VRay DBR: Backing up original config file to: C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Thinkbox\Deadline7\slave\UKR27\jobsData\556ee78cd1590c1fb0da746d\vray_dr.cfg

=======================================================
Details

Date: 06/03/2015 13:09:52
Frames: 0
Elapsed Time: 00:00:00:05
Job Submit Date: 06/03/2015 12:39:56
Job User: j.cheung
Average RAM Usage: 4404001280 (9%)
Peak RAM Usage: 4404826112 (9%)
Average CPU Usage: 2%
Peak CPU Usage: 6%
Used CPU Clocks: 20276
Total CPU Clocks: 1013760

=======================================================
Slave Information

Slave Name: UKR27
Version: v7.1.0.35 R (2a6ca6695)
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional (SP1)
Running As Service: No
Machine User: ukrender
IP Address: 192.168.50.128
MAC Address: 00:25:90:4B:7B:85
CPU Architecture: x64
CPUs: 16
CPU Usage: 2%
Memory Usage: 4.1 GB / 48.0 GB (8%)
Free Disk Space: 350.935 GB
Video Card: Standard VGA Graphics Adapter

10

Hello,

I have seen this issue once before, internally actually, even though I verified the file existed, but I couldn’t dig too much into it at the time, and when I came back to it, the issue was gone. Can you verify if the file ‘C:\Users\ukrender\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\enu\plugcfg\vray_dr.cfg’ exists on UKR27? Thanks

11

FYI. I know what the issue is here. However, I’m also currently working on a better solution for this workflow. Update shortly.

12

This is what I can see on UKR27…no sign of any appdata unless I’m mistaken
[attachment=0]appdate_UKR27.PNG[/attachment]

13

See attached updated 3dsmax plugin files.

  1. First make a manual backup of your 3dsmax plugin files under the “3dsmax” directory under: “…/your_repo/plugins/3dsmax/”
  2. Extract the attached zip file and overwrite the 3 x same named files into your “3dsmax” plugin directory.

There is no need to resubmit the job, although you can if you so wish. Give it a test and let us know how it works for you and based on your feedback, we might include these changes in the next release of Deadline.

Couple of things have been changed/fixed:

  1. We no longer try to backup or restore the VRay/VRayRT/MR *.cfg/max.rayhosts file if it doesn’t exist. This fixes the exception you were seeing.

  2. We now expose the applicable VRay, VRay RT and Mental Ray Satellite configuration options at the 3dsmax plugin level. (See the settings available via Monitor --> super-user --> “Configure Plugins…” --> “3dsmax” --> scroll to the bottom of the “3dsmax” section for the new options). The ‘defaults’ should all be good and match the ‘defaults’ found when you first open the VRay DR settings dialog fresh in a 3dsMax scene. These settings have been exposed to allow studios to customise/control how off-load DR is working.

3dsmax.zip (31.8 KB)