Just purchased Studio subscription, but can not use 2 GPUs

[Uhlhorn]

Hi,
I just purchased the studio subscription, but I can not use the 2 GPUs. When I select the second GPU it will show a cross for some milliseconds, but not a checkmark.
What is the problem?

[grimm]

Just to be sure, did you download and install the studio version of Octane?

[Uhlhorn]

I first used the free version of Octane. After purchasing I hoped I the free version will be unlocked for 2 GPUs.
Then I downloaded and installed the 2020.1 - 21.7 Blender for OctaneRender Installer. But it is the same.
Licensing of Octane is a horror! So many versions of Octane and you don’t know what version to install.

[grimm]

On the release page there is a link to the Studio downloads on your Account Page, did you try that one? I didn't copy the URL as they might be different for each user.

OctaneRender Studio subscribers can access their software from the "Downloads" section of their Customer Account Page.

[Uhlhorn]

Hmm I had also download another Octane Server. Now I can use 2 GPUs.
This is big crap!

[linograndiotoy]

You always need the same version of Blender and OctaneServer each time you update your software.

[Uhlhorn]

Yes, but this should be changed! One Server for all major versions of Octane would be okay.

When each version of Octane requires its own server, then the Octane installer should install the server as well.

[linograndiotoy]

Yes, but this should be changed! One Server for all major versions of Octane would be okay.

When each version of Octane requires its own server, then the Octane installer should install the server as well.

The OctaneServer and the Blender installer always change each time a new version is released because it's something needed. Take it as a general rule.
I normally install both Blender and the OctaneServer in specific folders with very specific names (Blender282a_2020_RC4 and OctaneServer282a_2020_RC4 for example), so I can run different versions whenever I need it.

We're going to release other builds with additional features and bug fixes, and installing both Blender and the Server will always be needed.

[Uhlhorn]

We're going to release other builds with additional features and bug fixes, and installing both Blender and the Server will always be needed.

Then please include the server into the Octane installer. Make an installer that is installing both in one step.

I downloaded and installed the free Blender Octane Edition and OctaneServer Prime. It was working for me. Then I purchased a monthly subscription for the second GPU. But the installed software was not able to activate it. I had to install another version of Octane Server, the OctaneServer Studio. Sorry, but I think it is stupid. And I will tell why:

The OctaneServer will check valid licences in the internet. So I can’t see any reason why the server should not be able to check all type of licenses of a major version of Octane. One major version of a server should be able to check all licenses for all Octane Software of the same major release.
It looks to me that the developers are not good enough to make it user friendly.

I am using Octane since 2015 and I loved Octane very much. But since I am using Octane with Blender, it is a pain in the ass! When I try to render my animation, every frame shows the same content. The renderings are too dark, and often it doesn’t render at all.
Then I tried to export the animation to the stand alone renderer, but it will not work in any way. I can export an Alembic file from Blender as described here:
https://docs.otoy.com/BlenderH/BlenderP ... Export.htm
But it is not possible to open it with Octane Standalone. So I can’t render the animation. Actual I have spent 4 days in investigating this issue. And I simply wanted render an animation only.

Next week, when I’ll come back from a trip, I will look for an other rendering software. I have a deadline for my job. And with Octane it is not possible to catch the deadline.

[J.C]

The OctaneServer will check valid licences in the internet. So I can’t see any reason why the server should not be able to check all type of licenses of a major version of Octane. One major version of a server should be able to check all licenses for all Octane Software of the same major release.
It looks to me that the developers are not good enough to make it user friendly.

I completely agree. It should be one installer for all versions. The software should recognise the user and run either full version, studio or free. Same is with Standalone releases.

I am using Octane since 2015 and I loved Octane very much. But since I am using Octane with Blender, it is a pain in the ass! When I try to render my animation, every frame shows the same content.

Some meshes need to have Object type assigned in Octane settings (setting is located in Object properties tab). By default it is set to Auto and it may not properly detect the mest type.
You can override this for all meshes using a setting in Server settings – "Render all meshes as"

The renderings are too dark, and often it doesn’t render at all.

If your renders are too dark go to Blender color management settings. Set Display device to None, gamma to 1, and Exposure to 0. Make sure Octane imager is enabled for the camera you are rendering with. There is a second Imager located in 3d view that may be overriding camera settings.