NetRender(C) Remote Gathering Agent (NRRGA)

The NetRender(C) Remote Gathering Agent (NRRGA) is a Lightwave(C) plugin which provides Lightwave 5.5 users with the ability to export a Lightwave scene (and its render relevant files) and upload those files through secure Internet file transfers to a NetRender enabled web site.

NRRGA Installation:
NOTE: The FileDrive client should be part of this distribution but may also be obtained from http://www.assetfactory.com.
a) Preferences -> Proxy - proxy settings you may have at your facility
b) Preferences -> Security - Enable security (file transfer encryption)
c) Preferences -> General - Launch FileDrive on system startup (recommended)
NOTE: You may also configure additional settings, such as entering your email address or enabling Netscape FTP URL intercepts, etc.

NRRGA Usage:
To perform scene export:
NOTE: It is recommended you save the objects, scene, etc., as needed. and then reload the scene.
This directory will become a "Content Directory" (similar to C:\NewTek ). It is strongly recommended to create a new, or use an empty, directory such as C:\scene_exports\content\. NRRGA will then create, using the above example, C:\scene_exports\content\images, C:\scene_exports\content\objects, C:\scene_exports\content\scenes, etc.
COMMENT: Mapped network drives are fine but some latency in processing may occur depending on your network.
The NRRGA plugin will create the export directory structure under the selected 'Export Content Directory' and process the scene's files.

Scene Export and NetRender processing:
Otherwise, the FileDrive application may perform some ... weird operations and upload processing may not behave as desired.
You will also wish to verify FileDrive's Edit->Preferences->Security->Enable Security setting is enabled.
REMEMBER, YOU MUST ENABLE SECURITY IN FILEDRIVE YOUSELF!!! -the plugin will not do this for you.
BE AWARE: FileDrive will probably continue to upload files following plugin completion. This is normal and varies depending on Internet connection speed and size of the scene. However, once the plugin exits and returns control to Layout, regardless of continued FileDrive activity, you may resume editing the ORIGINAL scene, unload the scene, or even exit Lightwave altogether .
NOTE: Please do not attempt to edit the exported files until FileDrive completes it's transfer, otherwise, unpredictable image rendering may result.


NRRGA Processing Activity:
NRRGA actions upon the scene's files are limited to the following:
NOTE: ALL images are located under the export Images directory, ALL objects under the Objects directory. The original directory structure will not be preserved (see also Name Conflict Handling below for additional information).
Plugins.log lists plugins, if any, used by the scene file (see Comments:Plugins).
Mod_hist.log file contains a listing of all scene objects, images, clips, etc. referenced within the scene. It also indicates the source file used in the original scene and the corresponding destination file generated.
Err_info.log is always generated and contains additional information on any errors the NRRGA plugin experienced during execution. In cases where no errors were recorded, this log file contains a message stating this to be the case.
For example, you may now move the export content directory to another location, or machine, without further modifications or having to manually correct for 'Object not found' messages. In fact, such messages generally indicate Layout's Content Directory setting is incorrect.
The exception to this rule, of course, are plugins. A Lightwave Layout installation on another machine will require the same installed plugins for proper rendering. In addition, any plugin related support files (e.g., Particle Storm .PSM files), must be manually copied to the export directory (if desired).


Comments:
Name Conflict Handling:
For example, C:\this\that\image.iff and G:\some\other\image.iff. Normally, filenames would be left alone. However, when such conflicts occur, the NetRender Remote Gathering Agent renames the offending filenames by making [the second] image.iff, 1_image.iff, etc. This processing holds true for LW objects, images, and Flyer clips.
NOTE: Name conflict renaming standards (prefixing #_) allows for image sequence renaming (which are really just individual images) to remain compatible with sequence naming procedures. For example, name001.iff, name002.iff, name003.iff, in the case of a duplicated name sequence, would become 1_name001.iff, 1_name001.iff, 1_name001.iff. Proper scene references to the give sequence are replaced appropriately.

Plugins:
Implementation of plugin support for every possible plugin, now and in the future, is beyond any reasonable scope. Therefore, required plugin support files will need to be manually copied to a location under the exported content directory or, if using the NetRender service, manually added to the upload FileDrive upload queue. Manually adding files to the upload queue can be performed by either:
1) WWW browsing your NetRender account, selecting 'View Jobs', clicking on the upload hyperlink on the specified job number, and adding the file(s) to the FileDrive client, or
2) opening the <export_path>/logs/joblog.html file and clicking on the indicated upload hyperlink.
NOTE: The joblog.html file is only generated if you selected the NetRender option on the plugin interface prior to NRRGA processing.
NOTE: While plugins in use by the scene are identified, the plugin .p files ARE NOT included in the export NOR any subsequent uploads. This is due to several important issues:
First, plugins are independent of individual scenes. Modification of the LW.cfg file to indicate an "exported" plugin.p file simply does not make sense. Instead, loading the exported scene will use the [already installed] Lightwave plugin designated in LW.cfg - just as one would expect.
Second, default plugins are already installed on the NetRender renderfarm system.
Finally, and most important, non-default plugins are usually either purchased or custom built "in-house" by your facility. Consequently, licensing, and other legal, restrictions prohibit automatically grabbing and uploading (a.k.a., "stealing") the .p files. Rather, this is the purpose of the plugins.log file generated during NRRGA execution. The plugins.log file allows you, and a NetRender system engineer, to readily identify needed plugins, determine potential problems and assist in plugin installation. NetRender system engineers will [happily:)] work with you on a case by case basis to resolve such issues. The NetRender service may need to obtain and install the plugin if not already available.


Trouble Shooting:
Failure to connect for NetRender file submission could result from a number of possibilities. If errors continue to arise and you feel your configuration is correct, please contact Asset Factory, Inc. (www.assetfactory.com) technical support for additional assistance.

1) You are possibly located behind a firewall or Internet proxy server. Contact your Network Administrator for proper proxy settings and verify the settings are correct under FileDrive's Edit->Preferences->Proxy Server
2) Verify the you did not include http:// or https:// in the 'NetRender URL' field.
3) The NRRGA plugin was unable to log into your NetRender account. Verify your user name (NetRender account login ID) and password are correct


NRRGA Features:
Lightwave Scene Export:

NetRender Security Features:


Outstanding Issues:
Known Issues:

ToDo List:



DISCLAIMER:
While no one can guarantee 100% absolute security and privacy for activities across the WWW Internet, The NetRender service makes use of may of today's latest technology such as secure FTP, and SSL encrypted communication. Asset Factory, Inc. and its development partners have made reasonable efforts to ensure confidentiality, privacy, and security within the NetRender service. The users of this software and/or Asset Factory, Inc. services do so at their own risk and understand, accept and assume any, and all, liability and responsibility. Asset Factory, Inc., et. al. accept no responsibility for losses which may result from use.


NetRender is a registered trademark of Asset Factory, Inc., Mountain View, CA. Lightwave is a registered trademark of NewTek, Inc., San Francisco, CA. FileDrive is a registered trademark of, Differential, Inc., Cupertino, CA. All other references are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Copyright(C) 1997,1998