You could put your cpu in the garage and run cables for all your periphery through the wall.

sunlight doesn't cast alpha shadows yet. Try it with an HDRI or something and it will.

I'm sure that using an array modifier would help substantially. I don't think it would be too bad. Nice job.

I'm render a sequence of frames using lens shift, which I've done before and had no problems.
Just a bit more info.

I'm on a huge deadline and can't find the solution to this render. I have a 16 hour render in front of me and this is getting very close to the wire!

After exporting all the geometry I get the error:

WindowsError: [Error 32] The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another ...

+100

I keep screwing up my settings

This would be a huge addition IMHO.

You should be able to align this area to the view, and then go to edit mode with you vertexes selected press U to bring up the unwrap menu and select 'project from view'. This will align all the UV's so the edgesnline up properly and you won't see the seams.

Are you using an image map for the ...

That means that your uv are overlapping or otherwise not laid out properly. Try projecting your uv's from a straight on view.

Blender 3d has a sequencer that works very well.

+1

I would love auto shutdown (after saving the final render). I do large renders at night and then have to wake up when it's finished and turn off the computer.