Mastering LW ScreamerNet

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ScreamerNet may be used in standalone mode (-3) to render scenes independent of LightWave itself. This method may be used to render a scene in the background while you work on another scene in LightWave, which is especially useful on multi core/processor machines. It may also be used to render a scene on another Mac that doesn’t have LightWave installed, as long as you can access the LightWave Mac with your configs, programs and content over your network via file sharing, or copy the files all to the other machine before rendering.

• Standalone Mode (-3) Command Line Syntax
• LWSN PPC Standalone cmdLine Examples
• ScreamerNet UB Standalone Command Line Examples
• Step-by-step Mac LWSN PPC Standalone Rendering Example
  • Setting up the PPC Config File
  • Setting up the Scene for LWSN PPC Rendering
  • Setting up the LWSN PPC cmdLine File.
  • Rendering the Scene with LWSN PPC
• Step-by-step Mac ScreamerNet UB Standalone Rendering Example
  • Setting up the UB Config File
  • Setting up the Scene for ScreamerNet UB Rendering
  • Interactively Rendering the Scene with ScreamerNet UB using the
    Free Lite Version of the DreamLight SNUB-Launcher Droplet
  • Manually Rendering the Scene with ScreamerNet UB using Terminal

Standalone Mode (-3) Command Line Syntax

You tell ScreamerNet which mode to use, as well as what to render through the use of command line parameters. The standalone mode (-3) command line syntax is as follows, all on one line.

-3 [-c<config directory>] [-d<content directory>] [-l<log file>] [-q]
< scene file> <first frame> <last frame> [<frame step>]

For an in-depth discussion and explanation of each of LightWave’s available command line parameters, please review Utilizing LightWave’s Mac Command Line Parameters.

LWSN PPC Standalone cmdLine Examples

The following LWSN PPC command line examples must be typed or pasted all on one line with no returns into an LWSN cmdLine text file.

-3 ":Scenes:MyScene.lws" 1 1

Uses the default config file in "YourHD:Users:username:Library:Preferences"
Uses the content directory specified in the config file, set in LightWave before launching LWSN.
Renders the file MyScene.lws in the Scenes directory inside the content directory.
Renders from frame 1 to frame 1. Renders only 1 frame.

-3 -c"YourHD:Users:username:Library:Preferences"
" :Scenes:MyScene.lws" 1 10

Uses the config file in "YourHD:Users:username:Library:Preferences"
Uses the content directory specified in the config file, set in LightWave before launching LWSN.
Renders the file MyScene.lws in the Scenes directory inside the content directory.
Renders every frame (since no step was specified), from frame 1 to 10. Renders 10 frames.

-3 -c"YourHD:Users:username:Library:Preferences"
-d"YourHD:Users:username:Documents:LWContent" ":MyScene.lws" 1 10 2

Uses the config file in "YourHD:Users:username:Library:Preferences"
Uses the content directory "YourHD:Users:username:Documents:LWContent"
Renders the file MyScene.lws inside the content directory.
Renders every other frame (step 2), from frame 1 to 10. Renders 5 frames, 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9.

-3 -c"YourHD:Users:username:Library:Preferences"
-d"YourHD:Users:username:Documents:LWContent" "YourHD:Users:username:Documents:LWContent:MyScene.lws" 10 1 -1

Uses the config file in "YourHD:Users:username:Library:Preferences"
Uses the content directory "YourHD:Users:username:Documents:LWContent"
Renders the file "YourHD:Users:username:Documents:LWContent:MyScene.lws"
Renders every frame in reverse order (step -1), from frame 10 down to 1. Renders 10 frames.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

ScreamerNet UB Standalone Command Line Examples

Rather than building ScreamerNet UB command lines manually by hand, you can use the Aqua GUI utility, DreamLight SNUB-Launcher, to interactively build the command lines and launch ScreamerNet UB with a Mac friendly interactive user interface.

DreamLight Interactive Releases New ScreamerNet UB Launcher

DLI_SNUB-Launcher™ is an XCode Aqua GUI front end to interactively configure and launch multiple LightWave 9.3-9.6 ScreamerNet UB instances for standalone, batch and network rendering. Download your copy today!

Created by the author of Mastering LightWave ScreamerNet Rendering for Mac OS X, Michael Scaramozzino - LightWave 3D Artist Profile.

The following ScreamerNet UB command line examples must be typed or pasted all on one line without returns into the Mac OS X Terminal window. These would all run ScreamerNet from the default install location: "/Applications/LightWave3D 9/ScreamerNet"

"/Applications/LightWave3D 9/ScreamerNet" -3 "/Users/username/Documents/LWContent/MyScene.lws" 1 1

Uses the default config file in the current user’s "Library/Preferences/LightWave3D"
Uses the content directory specified in the config file, set in LightWave before launching ScreamerNet.
Renders the file MyScene.lws in a LWContent directory inside the current user’s Documents folder.
Renders from frame 1 to frame 1. Renders only 1 frame.

"/Applications/LightWave3D 9/ScreamerNet" -3
-c"/Users/username/Library/Preferences/LightWave3D" "/Users/username/Documents/LWContent/MyScene.lws" 1 10

Uses the config file in "/Users/username/Library/Preferences/LightWave3D"
Uses the content directory specified in the config file, set in LightWave before launching ScreamerNet.
Renders the file "/Users/username/Documents/LWContent/MyScene.lws"
Renders every frame (since no step was specified), from frame 1 to 10. Renders 10 frames.

"/Applications/LightWave3D 9/ScreamerNet" -3
-c"/Users/username/Library/Preferences/LightWave3D"
-d"/Users/username/Documents/LWContent" "/Users/username/Documents/LWContent/MyScene.lws" 1 10 2

Uses the config file in "/Users/username/Library/Preferences/LightWave3D"
Uses the following content directory: "/Users/username/Documents/LWContent"
Renders the file"/Users/username/Documents/LWContent/MyScene.lws"
Renders every other frame (step 2), from frame 1 to 10. Renders 5 frames, 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9.

"/Applications/LightWave3D 9/ScreamerNet" -3
-c"/Users/username/Library/Preferences/LightWave3D"
-d"/Users/username/Documents/LWContent" "/Users/username/Documents/LWContent/MyScene.lws" 10 1 -1

Uses the config file in "/Users/username/Library/Preferences/LightWave3D"
Uses the following content directory: "/Users/username/Documents/LWContent"
Renders the file "/Users/username/Documents/LWContent/MyScene.lws"
Renders every frame in reverse order (step -1), from frame 10 down to 1. Renders 10 frames.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Step-by-step Mac LWSN PPC Standalone Rendering Example

Here’s a step-by-step example of how to render one of the included LightWave sample scenes using LWSN PPC in standalone mode (-3) on the Macintosh. We’ll be rendering one of the LightWave 9 Content sample scenes from YourHD:Users:username:Documents:LW9Content. First place the included LightWave 9 Content folder in your current user’s Documents folder and rename it: LW9Content.

Setting up the PPC Config File

In this example we will use the default Mac OS X LWSN PPC config file location of: YourHD:Users:username:Library:Preferences
For more information see Managing LightWave’s All Important Config Files.

1. Launch LightWave 9 PPC.
2. Set the Content Directory with Edit->Set Content Directory...
   Navigate to and select: YourHD:Users:username:Documents:LW9Content
This assumes you have installed the LightWave 9 included content directory to your user’s Documents folder and have named it LW9Content.
3. Open Render->Options->Render Globals and set the Segment Memory Limit to 32.
   See Default Segment Memory for more information.
   
4. Click yes when asked if this should be the new default setting, or it won’t be saved.
5. Click the Render tab and setMultithreading to the number of available cores/CPU’s.
   
6. Quit LightWave to save the config file to disk.

Setting up the Scene for LWSN PPC Rendering

For more information see Successful Scene File Preparation for ScreamerNet.

NOTE: As of LW9.3, Mac UB output paths saved in a scene file are not compatible with LWSN 9.3 PPC. This means you must set the output path using LightWave 9.3 PPC rather than Layout 9.3 UB.

1. Launch Applications:NewTek:LightWave 3D 9.3:Layout
2. Use File->Load->Load Scene... to load: :Scenes:Cel_Shade:Drunk_Zombie.lws
3. Open Render->Options->Render Globals.
4. Click the Output tab.
5. Click the RGB Files button.
   
6. Type Drunk_Zombie in the Save As: field.
7. Navigate to the top level of the Content Directory, LW9Content.
8. Navigate to the Renders folder if it already exists, otherwise create a New Folder in the top level of the Content Directory named Renders.
9. Create a New Folder named Drunk_Zombie_Renders.
10. Click the Save button to dismiss the dialog and accept the changes.
11. Set the RGB Type pop-up menu to LW_TGA24(.tga)
12. The RGB readout should now read Drunk_Zombie0001.tga, ...
13. Save the scene.
14. Quit LightWave.

Setting up the LWSN PPC cmdLine File

For more information see Utilizing LightWave’s Mac Command Line Parameters.

1. Open the LWSN cmdLine file located as follows:
   "YourHD:Applications:NewTek:LightWave 3D 9.3:Programs"
2. Edit its contents to read:
   -3 ":Scenes:Cel_Shade:Drunk_Zombie.lws" 100 200 10
3. Save the cmdLine file, making sure no file extension is added to the filename.

Rendering the Scene with LWSN PPC

1. Launch LWSN
2. LWSN should now render every tenth frame from 100 through 200 of Drunk_Zombie.lws and place them in the LW9Content:Renders:Drunk_Zombie_Renders folder.

NOTE: It appears that LWSN 9.3 PPC is not properly reading the frames to render, and instead is only rendering frame 1.

NOTE: If you wish to quit LWSN 7.5 while it is running, you must type command-period to stop it. If you try to quit LWSN 7.5 using the menu LWSN->Quit or by typing command-q, it will crash. This bug has been fixed in LWSN 8.0 and beyond.

Step-by-step Mac ScreamerNet UB Standalone Rendering Example

Here’s a step-by-step example of how to render one of the included LightWave sample scenes using ScreamerNet UB in standalone mode (-3) on the Macintosh. We’ll be rendering one of the LightWave 9 Content sample scenes from /Users/username/Documents/LW9Content. First place the included LightWave 9 Content folder in your current user’s Documents folder and rename it: LW9Content.

Setting up the UB Config File

In this example we will use the default Mac OS X UB PPC config file location of: /Users/username/Library/Preferences/LightWave3D
For more information see Managing LightWave’s All Important Config Files.

1. Launch /Applications/LightWave3D 9/Layout.
2. Set the Content Directory with Edit->Set Content Directory...
   Navigate to and select: /Users/username/Documents/LW9Content
This assumes you have installed the LightWave 9 included content directory to your user’s Documents folder and have named it LW9Content.
3. Open Render->Options->Render Globals and set the Segment Memory Limit to 32.
   See Default Segment Memory for more information.
   
4. Click yes when asked if this should be the new default setting, or it won’t be saved.
5. Click the Render tab and setMultithreading to the number of available cores/CPU’s.
   
6. Quit LightWave to save the config file to disk.

Setting up the Scene for ScreamerNet UB Rendering

For more information see Successful Scene File Preparation for ScreamerNet.

NOTE: As of LW9.3, Mac PPC output paths saved in a scene file are not compatible with ScreamerNet 9.3 UB unless you are using a third party render controller. This means you must set the output path using Layout 9.3 UB rather than LightWave 9.3 PPC.

1. Launch /Applications/LightWave3D 9/Layout.
2. Use File->Load->Load Scene... to load: Scenes/Cel_Shade/Drunk_Zombie.lws
3. Open Render->Options->Render Globals.
4. Click the Output tab.
5. Click the RGB Files button.
   
6. Type Drunk_Zombie in the Save As: field.
7. Navigate to the top level of the Content Directory, LW9Content.
8. Navigate to the Renders folder if it already exists, otherwise create a New Folder in the top level of the Content Directory named Renders.
9. Create a New Folder named Drunk_Zombie_Renders.
10. Click the Save button to dismiss the dialog and accept the changes.
11. Set the RGB Type pop-up menu to LW_TGA24(.tga)
12. The RGB readout should now read Drunk_Zombie0001.tga, ...
13. Save the scene.
14. Quit LightWave.

Interactively Rendering the Scene with ScreamerNet UB using the Free Lite Version of the DreamLight SNUB-Launcher Droplet

1. Download the free lite version of DLI_SNUB-Launcher to your host Mac by right clicking on the link below and selecting Save Linked File from the pop-up menu.

DLI_SNUB-Launcher.zip

2. After downloading the DLI_SNUB-Launcher.zip file, unzip the file by double-clicking it, but don’t run DLI_SNUB-Launcher until after the next step. It defaults to look for ScreamerNet in the same folder it’s located in, the first time DLI_SNUB-Launcher is run. If you do run it before placing it in the proper folder, then you can just click on the ScreamerNet Path button to choose the correct path to the ScreamerNet application.
3. Drag the expanded DLI_SNUB-Launcher to the /Applications/LightWave3D 9 folder.

Drag the scene file LW9Content/Scenes/Cel_Shade/ Drunk_Zombie.lws onto the DLI_SNUB-Launcher application icon in the /Applications/LightWave3D 9 folder.

Set the Render Frame Range to: First Frame 100, Last Frame 200, Frame Step 10 and click OK. DLI_SNUB-Launcher will then launch ScreamerNet UB in Terminal and render every tenth frame from 100 through 200 of Drunk_Zombie.lws and place them in LW9Content/Renders/ Drunk_Zombie_Renders.

Manually Rendering the Scene with ScreamerNet UB using Terminal

Another way to configure and launch ScreamerNet UB is to manually build the command line to launch it in Terminal. For a much easier and far less error prone method to configure and launch ScreamerNet UB, just use the previous interactive method - Interactively Rendering the Scene with ScreamerNet UB using the Free Lite Version of the DreamLight SNUB-Launcher Droplet.

1. Launch /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.
2. Type or paste the following into the terminal command line, all on one iine, substituting your actual username. Then press the return key.
   "/Applications/LightWave3D 9/ScreamerNet" -3 "/Users/username/Documents/LW9Content/Scenes/Cel_Shade/
Drunk_Zombie.lws" 100 200 10
   [Rather than typing or pasting such a long command line as above, you can build it in the Terminal using the following drag and drop steps.]
   1. Drag the ScreamerNet application to the Terminal window which will put the path on the command line.
      /Applications/LightWave3D\ 9/ScreamerNet
   2. Then type "-3" at the end to indicate the mode.
      /Applications/LightWave3D\ 9/ScreamerNet -3
   3. Then drag the scene file you want to render to the Terminal window which will add the path to the command line.
      /Applications/LightWave3D\ 9/ScreamerNet -3 /Users/username/Documents/LW9Content/Scenes/Cel_Shade/
Drunk_Zombie.lws
   4. Then type the render range and step at the end of the command line, followed by return.
      /Applications/LightWave3D\ 9/ScreamerNet -3 /Users/username/Documents/LW9Content/Scenes/Cel_Shade/
Drunk_Zombie.lws 100 200 10
3. ScreamerNet UB will then render every tenth frame from 100 through 200 of Drunk_Zombie.lws and place them in LW9Content/Renders/Drunk_Zombie_Renders.

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