network rendering over internet

[Weetos]

I'd like to know what are the network rendering solutions for windows x86 with only one lightwave license (I mean others then Respower-likes) that you guys tried, and what are the pros and cons of each of them...

here's what I need :
I'd like to launch rendering processes on different servers over internet from my home computer (I have administrator account on each machine, but I cannot use shared directory as some routers between my comp and those servers don't allow windows file sharing for security purposes)

I've tried to setup stealthnet, but I found it unusable when using servers that aren't all located in a LAN (or maybe I missed something?). I also tried lightnet, but I haven't found the way to specify the IP adress of a remote server. Now I'm stuck and I think I should maybe give up and try respower...

Any help/tuts/comments/clues would be greatly appreciated :)

Thanks alot

Now trying Amleto (http://www.rayserver.com/amleto/), sounds great and easy to setup

[ResPower]

Hey there!

I hate to think that when you use ResPower, you feel like you're "giving up!" We have a really good service...

You manage your render jobs through a web interface. You're in control! Abort, restart, view the logs, debug your scenes. Anything you need. If something is missing, like a texture, our software automatically detects it and fails it out so that you don't spend any money on bad scenes.

You can get bulk discounts. Even cheaper than what we already are!

We speak Lightwave. I personally use Lightwave myself and I know the ins and outs on how to get LW files to render efficiently.

Also, it's a real pain to try and get LW (or any of the other softwares out there) to network render. It isn't as easy as 1-2-3. We've had to write our own controller software on our side so that the system will work, as the current management software just wasn't up to the task.

Anyway, if you have any specific questions feel free to call or email me directly. ladd@respower.com

Thanks!

[trentonia]

I am a big fan of http://www.respower.com . I've used 3 different internet based render farms and these guys are the best. They have over 500GHz of processor power for cheap. The best thing is that they are fully automated. You login, upload your files, and go. Because they are fully automated you can render at any time - you don't have to call and talk to anyone. The other guys make you call during business hours and reserve time and number of computers. Check it out. I think you'd like it.
trentonia

[Weetos]

Well, that sounds interesting... I think I should give it a try

Actually I knew it was the best online rendering service for lightwavers (judging by what I've read here and there) but I just wanted to try a faster way to render my non-productive/personal work - I mean faster than what one comp on its own can do - 2 or 3 times faster only would have been a good thing as I don't need lightspeed rendering for that kind of stuff.

Anyway, I guess that once you taste ResPower, you couldn't do without ;)

Thanks !

btw, trentonia: Do you work for ResPower? if you don't, then maybe they should hire you - your post sounds like an ad ;) - kidding

[dwburman]

I've used ResPower a couple of times and am pretty pleased with the service. When you're doing a rush job and don't have 16 hours to let your computer render it's very worth it. It takes longer to download the finished frames than to render. I don't think I'd use it for a non paying job though.

[trentonia]

Weetos,
No I don't work for ResPower. I like to think that they work for me. Maybe I should see if they want to hire me as a sales evangelist. (hee hee).
trentonia

[ResPower]

He's got a point on the downloads, there's not much you can do there unless you have a really good connection. We have a fiber optic line on our end...

We also implemented a couple of months ago a "zip output" feature that allows you to zip up your files before downloading. We're also working on a "rar output" because rar files seem to compress down a lot better.

[Weetos]

Just checked out ResPower website... it's far easier and faster than I had expected.

I don't know why, I suddenly feel like mounting a Y: drive on my system :)

[Weetos]

Ooops don't pay attention, my browser sent my post again

[ResPower]

We don't have it in the documentation, but you don't necessarily have to use a Y: drive. You can also use relative paths in Lightwave, and we set the content directory. Check out the plug-in "Content Manager" which comes with lightwave, it's pretty self-explanatory.