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Octane XML Import functionality
Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:22 pm
by bitoffish
I would like some information regarding what to expect from the XML import features. Specifically, is there an estimated date when it will be deployed? I am considering Octane for an animation project using Blender, and I realize that even with the great work by Lionel on the Unofficial Blender Plugin, I will still need an intermediary system to prepare frames for deployment to a render farm similar to the RIB format with RenderMan. My plan is to create a set of BASH or PHP scripts that act as an interface layer to Octane. This way I could store, in files, paramaters that will be passed into the Octane command line. My initial thoughts were to draw up my own spec. to meet the needs of our project, but if an XML import spec is underway by Refractive, no sense in me reinventing the wheel. If you are willing to release details about the format, and what fields will be in the spec, that would be very helpful. This would allow me to develop my intermediate system to meet my needs now, and remain forward compatible with the official one, when it is released. Additionally, if the release is scheduled for within the year, I can skip this work entirely, and design my workflow to use official version.
Also, will all Octane parameters be available to adjust in the XML format?
Thanks.
Re: Octane XML Import functionality
Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 10:35 pm
by abstrax
bitoffish wrote:I would like some information regarding what to expect from the XML import features. Specifically, is there an estimated date when it will be deployed? I am considering Octane for an animation project using Blender, and I realize that even with the great work by Lionel on the Unofficial Blender Plugin, I will still need an intermediary system to prepare frames for deployment to a render farm similar to the RIB format with RenderMan. My plan is to create a set of BASH or PHP scripts that act as an interface layer to Octane. This way I could store, in files, paramaters that will be passed into the Octane command line. My initial thoughts were to draw up my own spec. to meet the needs of our project, but if an XML import spec is underway by Refractive, no sense in me reinventing the wheel. If you are willing to release details about the format, and what fields will be in the spec, that would be very helpful. This would allow me to develop my intermediate system to meet my needs now, and remain forward compatible with the official one, when it is released. Additionally, if the release is scheduled for within the year, I can skip this work entirely, and design my workflow to use official version.
Also, will all Octane parameters be available to adjust in the XML format?
Thanks.
In a nutshell: We don't know yet and we can't tell you when we actually start working on this. We are currently working on beta2.5, which will not include changes with in API, command line parameters or file formats.
The current way of doing things, was the fastest way to get something going for a broad range of applications. The next iteration in that area should be something more complete and since we don't want to change file formats all the time, we have to properly design the way we connect Octane with the rest of the world. -> At the moment I really can't give you any specific information regarding the schedule or features.
Cheers,
Marcus