0.2.0

Pidgeon-Render-Farm by Pidgeon-Tools

Welcome to the latest release of Pidgeon-Render-Farm, brought to you by Pidgeon-Tools! Our newest version is packed with exciting new features, significant improvements, and important bug fixes that enhance your rendering experience. Let's dive into what's new and improved and guide you through the setup process.

🌟 Features

Enhanced Database Integration

• Robust Databases: Experience enhanced interaction with Super Render Farm. This update sets the stage for a future Masterless-farm environment, ensuring smoother operations and scalability.

Improved Master Functionality

• Reliable Failure Detection: The Master component now boasts a better tracking system, making it more adept at detecting failed renders. This is just part one of a two-part enhancement, so stay tuned for more!

Client Flexibility

• Multi-Master Rendering: Clients can now render for multiple Masters, offering greater flexibility and efficiency in managing rendering tasks.

Blender Support

• Multiple Blender Installations: We now support multiple Blender installations, catering to users who work with different versions of Blender.
• Enhanced Super Render Farm Support: Enjoy better support for Super Render Farm than ever before, ensuring a seamless rendering experience.

Additional Options

• File Management Options: New settings allow you to keep input files, ZIP archives, and rendered frames, giving you more control over your project files.

🛠️ Improvements

Code and Performance Enhancements

• Code Cleanup and Refactoring: A substantial cleanup and refactoring of the codebase pave the way for faster future development and a more robust system.
• Performance Boost: Enjoy significant performance improvements, making your rendering process faster and more efficient.

Logging Upgrades

• Enhanced Logging: Experience more comprehensive and informative logging, aiding in troubleshooting and monitoring of your rendering tasks.

🐞 Fixes

Stability and Bug Fixes

• Unused Variable Removal: Cleaning up unused variables helps avoid bugs and enhances performance.
• File Path Bug Resolution: Bugs related to file paths with spaces are now resolved, ensuring smoother file management.
• Connection Issue Fixes: We've addressed and fixed connection problems to provide a more reliable rendering experience.
• Stability Improvements: The system now exhibits better stability under certain conditions, making your rendering process more dependable.

⚠️ Known Issues

Areas for Improvement

• Imperfect Failed Render Detection: The detection of failed renders still has room for improvement.
• Render Time Control: Currently, render time is determined solely by the Master.
• Database Operation Racing: Potential racing issues in database operations have been identified.
• Blender Performance on Windows: Blender users on Windows may experience slower performance compared to Linux.

📢 Disclaimer

MacOS Support

• MacOS binaries are not available currently, as we prioritize delivering a thoroughly tested product. However, MacOS users can inquire about the binaries on our Discord server.

Compatibility Note

• Please note that the new version is not compatible with old project or configuration files.

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🛠️ Installation and Setup

Get started with Super Render Farm by following these simple steps:

1. Download Master Addon: Navigate to the Addon Preferences in Blender and click "Download Master". This will initiate the download of the essential components needed for rendering.

2. Wait for Blender: After initiating the download, please be patient and wait until Blender is responsive again. This ensures that all necessary files are properly installed.

3. Customize Settings: Adjust the settings according to your requirements. Pidgeon-Render-Farm offers a variety of customizable options to tailor your rendering experience.

4. Save Your Settings: Once you've fine-tuned your settings, click "Save Settings" to ensure your preferences are applied.

5. Project Setup: Head over to the "Render Tab" in Blender and adjust the settings for your specific project. Here, you can configure render resolutions, output formats, and more.

6. Pack and Save Data: Click "Pack External Data and Save" to ensure all your external data (like textures and assets) are included in your project file.

7. Start Rendering: Hit "Start Render" and watch as Pidgeon-Render-Farm brings your creative vision to life! Wait until your render is complete, and then enjoy your stunning results.

Thank you for choosing Pidgeon-Render-Farm for your rendering needs. We're committed to continuously improving our software to provide you with the best possible rendering experience. Stay tuned for future updates and enhancements! 🚀

Version 0.1.0-beta

This beta-release comes with 4 Features, 6 Improvements and many bug fixes.
It is recommended to update your Master and Clients!

Features

• Master threads (faster task distribution)
• Custom progress bar to visualize rendering progress
• Add support for Super Render Farm
• MacOS and Linux binaries

Improvements

• Chunks renamed to batch
• Donate button now opens the donation page
• More verbose output
• IP is being displayed at the top
• Code cleanup
• Performance improvements

Fixes

• Remove unused variables (to avoid bugs)
• Slowdowns when opening Blender resolved
• Resolve bugs related to file paths including spaces
• Fix connection problems
• Some render engines were not detected properly
• Frame steps work properly now
• Include default values for variables to prevent bugs

Known issues

• Only the Master #1 is being used
• A sudden crash of a Client leads to the project never finishing (fix: restart the Master)

Note

The Linux version is in an really early state.
The files that include _DOTNET (Windows only) are self contained. That means you don't have to have .NET 6.0 installed. See the FAQ for more details.

Disclaimer

The MacOS version is untested!
PRF is still in (open-)beta, it is not production ready.

Initial Release

Pidgeon Render Farm

Pidgeon Render Farm is an innovative, peer-to-peer render farm software that empowers you to harness the computational power of multiple devices, such as your MacBook, desktop, and laptop, to render a single Blender project. This software operates on a local network, eliminating the need for an internet connection and third-party servers.

Features

• Customizability: Pidgeon Render Farm is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor the software to your specific needs.
• Integration: It integrates seamlessly with other addons by PidgeonTools, enhancing its functionality.
• Security: The peer-to-peer nature of the software ensures your data stays secure and only on your devices.
• Support: Free support is available to help you navigate any challenges.
• Compatibility: The software supports many operating systems, including modern Windows (7 and above), Linux, and MacOS.
• Freeware: Pidgeon Render Farm will be freeware, making it accessible to all.