Unknown Error v2.16a Help!

[Olitech]

Ok all,

So we've been using version 2.16a for over a year now with minimal issues.

As of lately this crazy-looking error has been happening to many of our files. In the past, we would just get a *WARNING Render Failed* error message. Now, there is no message, just these black frames.

Any ideas what is causing it?

If you look at the info on top, we are well within our limits of geometry, textures and vram. It is happening more and more frequently on 4 of our current projects.

And of course, our deadlines are ALL due every week between now and May 20. Serious deadlines for serious clients.

Any help or advice would be greatly, GREATLY appreciated!

Best,
O

[azen]

Hi,

The first thing we usually check is driver versions - please confirm what driver versions you are using. In the case of network rendering (if you are using this approach to rendering, of course), it is important to confirm that your driver versions are the same on both the master and slave machines to assure stable functionality.

If this is not the issue, then it is possibly a hardware issue - you may need to test your GPUs to confirm whether one or more have become faulty.

If you are encountering these issues on scenes that have worked correctly in the past but are failing now (on the same machines with the same SA and plugin version), then faulty hardware or driver issues are the most probable by far. If this is not the case, we will expand our troubleshooting from there

[Olitech]

Hi,

The first thing we usually check is driver versions - please confirm what driver versions you are using. In the case of network rendering (if you are using this approach to rendering, of course), it is important to confirm that your driver versions are the same on both the master and slave machines to assure stable functionality.

If you are encountering these issues on scenes that have worked correctly in the past but are failing now (on the same machines with the same SA and plugin version), then faulty hardware or driver issues are the most probable by far. If this is not the case, we will expand our troubleshooting from there

1/ Ok, we are using driver 347.88. It's older, but it has been working for us so far. All of our machines (stations and render slaves) use this same driver. We are still on Windows 7.

2/ These are brand new scenes. However, some geometry is from the client(s) usually Sketchup imported into Max.

3/ We have not tested cards, but they are still showing up under 'devices'.

best,
O

[JimStar]

Maybe some problems with import from Sketchup...
Or you may have hit the ceiling of total amount of Octane nodes...
To check it: try to remove a half of the materials and textures and see if the "black weirdness" disappear...

[Olitech]

Maybe some problems with import from Sketchup...
Or you may have hit the ceiling of total amount of Octane nodes...
To check it: try to remove a half of the materials and textures and see if the "black weirdness" disappear...

Ok, so this will really sound like a dumb question as I type this, but....How do I 'remove' materials and textures in Max? I am noticing a few textures from the client's sketchup file. It's still a small number compared to some of our other large files.

I am a very long time Max user, but it just dawned on me that I do not know how to remove materials and textures...Any tips?

best,
O

[azen]

Hi,

My preferred way is to select the objects you want to remove materials from, open the MAXScript listener (F11), and use this line: $.material=undefined


That will remove the material from any selected objects (it will do nothing if no objects are selected. Hope this helps

[Olitech]

Hi,

My preferred way is to select the objects you want to remove materials from, open the MAXScript listener (F11), and use this line: $.material=undefined


That will remove the material from any selected objects (it will do nothing if no objects are selected. Hope this helps

Ok, I will try that.

It seems there are many, many 'unauthorized materials' from the sketchup import. Hundreds of them. Unfortunately some of the are applied to only 2 objects at a time! And a lot of repeated textures, also from the client's side.

So I will continue to purge out the materials textures as you both have suggested.

I shall keep you posted on results.

Cross your fingers!

best,
O

[Olitech]

Maybe some problems with import from Sketchup...
Or you may have hit the ceiling of total amount of Octane nodes...
To check it: try to remove a half of the materials and textures and see if the "black weirdness" disappear...

You guys freaking rock!

A few more hundred materials to purge, but so far so good! The architects even textured doorknobs....sigh.

JimStar and Azen, you guys just saved my life. I can feel the blood rushing back into my brain. =)

I am eternally grateful.

best,
O

[azen]

Excellent! I'm glad that you were able to resolve your issue. I've also made a note regarding issues with Sketchup scenes converted to MAX when it comes to Octane. Hopefully some fruitful information will arise from there.

Cheers,
Azen