I am having a real problem using the network render node option. Everything works great until the render node attempts to do one of the small odd sized nodes found at the far right of the projected image (as in the image). It works just fine when it does a full sized 128 x 128 block in the middle of the image, but if it happens to try to draw one of the odd sized nodes on the far right, it simply locks up the network. The entire network is locked and the only way I have been able to restore it is to reboot. I can shut down and restart C4 on both machines but they will not talk to one another and I cannot see the other machines even using Network Neighborhood.

I thought it might be the plugins so I re-copied all the main computer extensions files and sub-folders over to the render node and that did not fix it. By the way, I am running C4P, 4.02 on Win XP Pro boxes, and yes I do have the firewalls turned off as well as all the virus protection software when I am running this.

Has anyone else run into this problem? Any thoughts on what to try?

Make sure to update to C4.03 - it addressed a number of render node issues. Mark

Attached Link: http://www.eovia.com/company/contact.asp

If that doesn't fix it. Remember to contact support so they can file it if its a bug, and fix it. Or find a solution if its user error. The attached link, bottom of page has support email. Brian

Mark - I took your suggestion and upgraded to 4.03 (both C4 and the render node). Now it is not working at all. There is no indication the render node is doing anything. When I try to abort the render from the main computer, I get an error message saying it cannot establish a connection with port 5060 (I only have the main and 1 render node set to port 5020).

I have tried several different combinations of port numbers, always making sure the numbers on the main computer and the render node matched and the render node was set to the first value. Nothing helped, though when I change the port numbers, the error message I get when I abort the render changes to reference whatever the last port number is.

Any ideas?

Gavotte, I was just doing some checking with some other folks that have had some issues. Here is a list of the trouble shooting tactics they did that helped solve the issue (these are not sequential steps): 1. reset preferences from the file pull-down menu and restart Carrara (always recommended after a program update) 2. reboot machine (this one had the greatest success - Eovia tech indicated this one as a favorite remedy too.) 3. Double check another program is not using port 5020 - if it is designate new port for Carrara (I suspect this one will do nothing for you but is worth a look) Please post back whatever your results are for the record - hopefully positive! When people have similar issues and search the posts here, they can see what's transpired.

Hello again, I just received this input from Peter MacDougall: "Might also try turning off the adsl/broadband modem but leaving the router/switch on and turning off all software firewalls and antivirus trying and then turning them back on one by one. I have found that my Norton Antivirus internet worm protection compeletly stops the render node. I also have my software firewall, ZoneAlarm, setup on each computer to allow all the computers on the network and the router through without blocking."

Mark - Nicholas86,

Thanks for all your help. I tried a lot of different thing but what seemed to do the trick was to un-install both C4 main and the C4 render node, re-install both and then install both 4.03 updates. It seems to be working fine now.

Thanks again!

I spoke to soon as the problem is back. I am thinking that it has to do with some combination of options or perhaps something else that is going on with the computers. I will keep plugging away and see what I come up with. I did find that when the main computer loses contact with the render node, there is no way to quit gracefully. I have to go to the task manager and physicaly kill the Carrara process... bummer :(

Please try the 4.1 update. It should fix your problems with network rendering. If it does not, please let me at charles@eovia.com thanks Charles