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# Command Line Renderer

The Command Line Renderer allows you to render shots by entering a command in a Linux shell instead of using the Render Backburner menu.

NoteUse the bbserver.log file describing the Command Line Renderer output to view error messages and other pertinent information.

Run the Command Line Renderer on the machine you want to render on. Files rendered using the Command Line Renderer are stored in the same directories as those used for renders created using the Render Local menu. Render directories are set up in the Project menu.

The Project Home directory must be specified when you use the Command Line Renderer. The Scans home and Renders home directories must also be specified if they are not sub-directories of the Project Home directory. You can specify these directories in two ways. You can either use the -1, -2, and -3 parameters in the command line, or you can set them as environment variables on the Linux server.

To use the Command Line Renderer, Burn for Lustre must be installed and licensed on each machine (node). For information, refer to the Autodesk Lustre Software Installation Guide for your platform.

Command Line Renderer Syntax

The Command Line Renderer uses the following syntax:

./render -s <scene_name> -g <grade_name> -o <output_file_format> -r <output_resolution>

NoteThis syntax example shows required parameters and modifiers when environment variables for project directory locations have been set on the local machine. For a complete list of parameters, refer to the following table.

Par. | Modifier | Description | Req'd | Comments
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
-s | <scene_name> | The name of the scene containing the grade and associated cut you want to render. | Yes |
-g | <grade_name> | The name of the grade and associated cut you want to render. | Yes |
-o | <output_file_ format> | The file format of the render files. Valid modifiers: cin, dpx, tga, sgi, tif or bmp. | Yes |
-r | <output_ resolution> | The resolution of the render files. Valid modifiers: full, half. | Yes |
-l | <video_format> | Renders to a specified video format. Valid modifiers: HD, PAL, or NTSC. | No |
-1 | <project_home_folder> | The path and directory name of the Project Home directory, including the drive letter. Example: G:\ProjectAB | No | Not required if set as environment variables on the local machine. See Project Configuration.
-2 | <footage_home_folder> | The path and directory name of the original footage directory, including the drive letter. | No | Not required if set as an environment variable on the local machine.
-3 | <renders_home_folder> | The path and directory name of the render files directory, including the drive letter. | No | Not required if set as an environment variable on the local machine.
-n | <number_shots> | The number of shots, starting from the first shot in the cut, to be rendered. | No | Use only when rendering to the Slave Renderer.
-f | <first_frame last_frame> | Renders a range of frames within the set of shots defined for rendering. Example: -f 120 340 | No | Can be used to specify a new range when restarting a cancelled render.
-a | <start_fr_no end_fr_no> | Renders a range of frames in the timeline, between the Start Frame number and End Frame number. Example: -a 140 480 | No | Do not use this parameter with other parameters that specify a subset of shots.
-i | None | Renders shots taking trim information into account. | No |
-e | <preset> | Name of output colour space preset, if used. | No | See Saving and Loading Colour Mapping Presets.
-t | <number_of _threads> | Specifies the number of threads, or processors, used for processing. You can opt to use only one of two processors. Example: -t 1 | No | On Linux machines, you must set this parameter to -t 2.
-w | None | Renders wedges to the same place. | No | Same as No Wedge option. See Specifying the Destination for Local Render Files.
-q | None | Renders to one sequence. | No | Same as One Sequence option. If neither -w nor -q are specified, Normal is used. This parameter should be used with -i.
-p | <part_of_ frame> | Renders a fraction of the shots in the cut. Express the modifier as a fraction, for example, <1/4> would render the first 25% of the shots. | No | You can use this parameter to divide the job between several machines.
-u | None | Renders dust removal data. | No |
-k | None | Renders with timecode burned in. | No |
-L | None | Render using the Normal filter for reposition. | No | See Rendering Settings.
-M | None | Render using the Mitchell filter for reposition. There are three parameters (s = size; B = blur; C = ringing). | No | See Rendering Settings.
-T | None | Render using the CatmullRom filter for reposition. | No | See Rendering Settings.
-O | None | Render using the new type Lanczos3lobe filter for reposition. | No | See Rendering Settings.
-d | None | Debug level. | No |
-h | None | Print help to command prompt window. | No | Use this parameter by itself. Example: render -h.

Example of Use

render -s alabama -g grd21 -o dpx -r half -i -q -1 g:/project1 -n 1

Where alabama is the scene name, grd21 is the grade name, dpx is the output format, and g:/project1 is the Project Home directory as mapped from the local (rendering) machine.

To render one or more shots with the Command Line Renderer in Windows:

1. Open a Command Prompt window on the machine on which you want to render the shots by choosing Start | Programs | Accessories | Command Prompt.
2. Go to the Lustre application directory by typing:

   cd C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Lustre <version_number>

   where C is the local drive.

3. Enter the render command using the syntax provided in the previous table.

To render one or more shots with the Command Line Renderer in Linux:

1. Open a Linux shell.
2. Go to the Lustre application directory by typing:

   cd /usr/autodesk/lustre_<version_number>

3. Enter the render command using the syntax provided in the previous table.