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rendermaniac
07-03-2008, 10:27 AM
I have put together a really simple and cheap way to create a Renderman renderfarm - using the unix printing software CUPS. There are details about how to do it here:

http://rendermania.com/building-a-renderfarm-with-cups/

Simon
zukezuko
07-03-2008, 04:20 PM
this is sick

be warned tough
"You could end up with a lot of scrap paper if you use the wrong queue!"

good stuff :thumbsup:
malducin
07-03-2008, 04:26 PM
Wow, that's great. You should submit this to the Stupid RAT Tricks and present it at SIGGRAPH.
Titus
07-03-2008, 05:12 PM
Nice trick. I wonder if this can be done in windows using cygwin.

"To get the ball rolling - and as I cannot fufill one of the criteria ie. being at the User Group Meeting - here is my Stupid RenderMan Trick."

You can't flight to SIGGRAPH? maybe I can present the trick for you Simon, and get the credit :D.
rendermaniac
07-03-2008, 06:19 PM
this is sick

be warned tough
"You could end up with a lot of scrap paper if you use the wrong queue!"

good stuff :thumbsup:

There are lots of sicker extensions that could be added to this. For example you could pipe it to a real printer after it has renderered - and end up with a literal flipbook animation! Might try adding that at some point...

Simon
playmesumch00ns
07-04-2008, 12:02 PM
Hehe very cool, Simon. Can you really not make it to Siggraph? That'd be a great SRT. One small correction to your article:

Using CUPS as a renderfarm works incredibly well, however if you are running a real renderfarm, then use a proper queuing system such as Alfred (http://renderman.pixar.com/products/tools/alfred.html) or Sun’s Grid Engine (http://gridengine.sunsource.net/)!

should read:

... then use a proper queuing system such as Sun’s Grid Engine (http://gridengine.sunsource.net/)! :)
rendermaniac
07-04-2008, 06:18 PM
I sense a bit of sarcasm there Anders ;)

SRT was one of the original reasons for doing this. I definitely can't make Siggraph this year - well unless someone really wants to buy me the airfare/ticket (not to mention the time off work)!

I guess if someone else was willing to present it that could work (have I jumped the gun a bit by putting it on the internet?).

Simon
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07-04-2008, 06:18 PM
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