Messages

166

Hardware / Re: Rackmount Render Farm starter...

« on: 2018-07-23, 12:24:08 »

I have no experience with rack mounted server builds, but 2 things worry me looking at this.
1. Those two Xeons combined will probably lag behind the rather mainstream Ryzen 7 cpus.
2. Any server hardware is usually loud, since it's meant to be in a separate room. So I'd avoid that for home use.

So, I'd rather build a compact matx box with Ryzen 7 1700 in it.
For example, I've built such a system in Thermaltake V21 case, and they can theoretically even be stacked on top of each other :D

Thanks for this - the more I've thought about it, I've realised that I have my previous workstation kicking around. Step 1 will be to convert that into something usable as a render node (primarily by getting a smaller case, like the one you suggest). If that works out well, then I can always add another newbuild system.

167

Hardware / Rackmount Render Farm starter...

« on: 2018-07-18, 18:20:21 »

Hey,

With recent projects ramping up in content (ForestPack over large areas, animations etc) - I'm thinking of expanding my tools with some additional render nodes. For space/practicality it seems the best option is something rack mounted - and there seems to be a decent market for refurbished/second hand rack servers in the UK.

Rather than build myself, I've been looking at these guys - http://www.bargainhardware.co.uk, specifically something based on these units - http://www.bargainhardware.co.uk/hp-proliant-dl360e-gen8-sff-drives-configure-to-order/...

My current choice is:-
 - 2x E5-2450L 1.80Ghz 8c Xeons
 - 64GB RAM
 - 300GB HDD

Alternatively, I could jump up to the next rackmount model (the DL360p Gen8) - which goes into newer/more powerful processors, but ends up almost doubling the price... the plan being to buy another one later rather than spending more now?

It's my first venture into render nodes for about 5-6 years, so would value any advice/experience people have with this sort of thing!

Thanks!

168

Gallery / Chequers House | Small Interior [UPDATED]

« on: 2018-07-17, 17:00:54 »

Three small shots from a recent interior project - small and fairly simple, but the client was very happy with the outcome.
I've got some vignette/crop images to share from this too, when I get a chance to finish them up.

169

[Max] I need help! / Re: Alpha values as 0/-1 (minus one)?

« on: 2018-03-08, 21:57:19 »

This is exactly what I was looking for...

...not sure how I missed it! Thanks both!

170

[Max] I need help! / Alpha values as 0/-1 (minus one)?

« on: 2018-03-06, 23:03:54 »

A feature I previously used in V-Ray (yes, another one of those type of questions) was overriding an objects contribution to the alpha map to zero or minus one - or occasionally something in between.

This was normally achieved by right-clicking and accessing some V-Ray properties - obviously not applicable in Corona!

Has Corona got a similarly automated way to do this? If not I can render a MatID element or similar and mask objects out of my alphas that way (or manually in Photoshop) - but if there’s any other way it’d be great!

171

[Max] I need help! / Re: exposure value

« on: 2018-03-06, 22:48:56 »

I would always suggest going as accurate to real-life values as possible (F-Stop, ISO etc) - this will also help if you want to include any DOF etc.

The only issue I’ve faced with this is sometimes lights needing crazy values to compensate, but I figure that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for other physical accuracy?!