Just installed 2020.2_2.34 and having an issue with template start-up files.
If I switch to a different template, such as Sculpting, Octane Render no longer shows up as a rendering option. Opening another default template (General, VFX, 2D Animation) still prevents Octane Render from showing as an option. However, preferences clearly shows the plugin is enabled. I can only get access to the Octane Render option by closing Blender and restarting.
I have come across this issue once before in an older build. This time though the problem also seems to be preventing me from making an Octane start-up template. I created the Octane template the way I always have previously (configuring my Octane set-up windows and saving the startup.blend file over a copy of one of the other templates in a folder named Octane). When I open this new Octane start-up template I get the following error: “engine ‘octane’ not available for ‘Scene’ (an add-on may need to be installed or enabled). But of course when I check preferences Octane is already enabled. Restarting Blender returns access to the Octane render engine - until I try to load a one of the other start-up templates.