Ohh, I'm certainly most interested in this render farm idea. Although, I'm not sure if I have a computer currently available. The computer I used to use as a linux server seems to be having difficulties with the LAN cards. I think the old card died, and the new one isn't supported or something. 
Anyways, I'll get it working eventually.
So, how long does it take to render a frame? Or a second of animation? What about the movement within the image. Is only the rendering distributed? How is movement of objects calculated? Is there a particular flavour of Linux that's supported/has instructions written for it? Is Hamachi needed or is it just one way to do it? Am I asking too many questions? :unsure:
Wow :lol: Lots of questions.
I will answer them to the best of my Ability!
Rendering a frame depends on the resolution and the other things you have setup like anti-aliasing (which I always have on) and whatnot. Hm, rendering a 1024x768 frame woudl take like.... 5-10 seconds on my computer when I have a bunch of other crap running.
There is usually 24-30 frames per second. So, to render a second of animation assuming that the above was true, it could range from 2 min to 5 min. It's usually a LOT longer for renders with large textures, Particles, Softbodies, animation, anti-aliasing, AND motion blur. Also, teh polygon count contribrutes GREATLY to render time.
The movement of objects is done using a curve. Basically, it takes the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the origin of that object, bone or whatever, and calculates where it is at each frame. So, if you are moving from the 1 ft line to the 100 ft yard line in 100 frames, you'd be going 1 foot per frame. It uses a Graph (also known as an IPO Curve) to illustrate this. You can edit the graph directly, so it changes all of those things.
^^^ Let me know if you don't get this
I think Hacker answered your question about Linux.
Yes, Hamachi is pretty much required because this program that i'm using is made for a LAN. As you very well know (am i right here?
), you can't really have a true LAN over the web. There are Virtural Lans like Hamachi.
*drools* you're kidding.... you can hook up the OPU server ... to help render this...... (thumbsup) Add that to mine, Levi's computers, and maybe more .... and we have quite a render farm!
I don't want to lag the OPU website though, it's some pretty intensive rendering. Although, we won't be doing true cutscenes for a long time (many many months away... all the models and skins need to be done first
) , I'd like to get the system tested and whatnot. We can also get some things made for you guys... maybe even a "trailer".
Dang hacker
, that's some nice stuff you have there... I'll work on getting the rendering packages made so all you need to do is install all the stuff. Then we can get testing the system!
:D:D
stormy :op2:
wow B)
Edit: Go ahead and ask as many questions as you like. It helps make sure I know what I'm doing and I like to let you guys know what is going on
(thumbsup)
