Render High Resolution Images using VRay or Mental Ray

Render High Resolution Images using VRay or Mental Ray by Jamie Cardoso

While today’s fast computers may ensure rendering crashes are less and less frequent, there are still instances when processing high resolution photorealistic renders will cause computers to freeze and ultimately crash!

I have certainly experienced in numerous occasions having renders freeze and crash when there were only few “render buckets” left to complete the entire image!

Such inconveniences may cause major setbacks with the final deadline and user’s workflow, especially when the renders are taking a considerable amount of time to process.

For example, the above panoramic image was rendered at 22.000 x 11.000 pixels,while at GMJ design ltd. As one can imagine, it was a huge challenge to create and render the above image due to its unusual output pixel size, and the manner in which it was captured (panoramic).

And yes, it crashed several times while the render was being processed!!

We had decided to render the space in a panoramic style to save the client time and money by NOT having to create and render countless camera angles to capture the entire proposed space.

The end product was a full panoramic image rasterized as a JPEG, which the client was then able to view and navigate through, by using a free software called “ iMove Viewer” . 

Very recently, a prolific script writer/ Senior Visualiser and Photographer called  David Venables has created an ingenious and simple script that allows users to set 3Ds max to automatically save the render periodically while still being processed in the frame buffer.

Users can also set the location and the frequency of the renders being saved.

Below is the simple script created by David Venables:

(

            Global AutosaveImg          

            fn dntTick =

            (

                        Local Autosavedir = (getdir #autoback) + "\\" + "Rend_autosave.tif"

                        TIF.setType #color16

                        TIF.setAlpha #true

                        ::AutosaveImg = getLastRenderedImage copy:off

                        AutosaveImg.gamma = 2.2

                        AutosaveImg.filename = Autosavedir

                        Save AutosaveImg

            )

            Global dnetTimer = dotnetobject "system.timers.timer" (2*60*1000)

            dotnet.addEventHandler dnetTimer "Elapsed" dntTick

            callbacks.removeScripts id:#RenderAutoSave

            callbacks.addScript #preRender "dnetTimer.start()" id:#RenderAutoSave

            callbacks.addScript #postRender "dnetTimer.stop()" id:#RenderAutoSave

)

To save this script, simply open 3ds Max, followed by clicking on the MAXScript button from the main toolbar, and choosing the MAXScript Editor option from the dropdown list. 



Its dialog should open. Next, copy and paste the above mentioned script onto the dialog’s text field.  

By default, the script automatically finds the autosave path with the (getdir #autoback) string of code; and saves the file under the name of  "Rend_autosave.tif"  as a TIF file format. 

This can be changed manually. For instance, the default path could be saved in the following location:C:\Users\Public\Pictures

The relevant line of code would be replaced with the following: “Local Autosavedir = C:\\Users\\Public\\Pictures + "Rend_autosave.tif" .

In addition, the script automatically sets the saving frequency to every 2 minutes: (2*60*1000).



This default timer can also be changed by simply typing in a different number you may find more adequate (i.e. replace nr2)!

Once satisfied with everything, simply save the script by pressing Ctrl+S.

The Save file dialog should appear. In order for this script to automatically start as a callback everytime 3Ds Max is lauched, it must be saved as an ms file in the following location:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2012\Scripts\Startup.  

Note: If using a different version of Max, simply save the script in the adequate 3ds Max folder (i.e. 3ds Max 2013; etc).

Next, close and restart 3ds Max. Render anything that would take longer than 2 minutes to test whether the script works or Not.

Finally, go to the designated folder/location to see the saved image/file; or simply type in the following in the bottom left part of 3ds Max: display (getLastRenderedImage()) ; followed by pressing Enter.

The OK text in blue should appear below, along with the last saved render in the frame buffer.  

The beauty of this script is that it will give the user the reassurance/peace of mind that when/if the render crashes it will be saved. This will also enable the user to continue from where the render was last saved; as opposed to starting from scratch again!

Currently the script works mainly with the 3Ds Max frame buffer, regardless of the rendering engine being deployed.

The panoramic image below was rendered using the Render_autosave script!

If there are any specific features you would like to see implemented in this script, please contact David Venables through his LinkedIn page or via email HERE.

I hope you have found this article useful!!