SCAD Render Farm - Guide and Automatic Checking Script

NOTE:

If you are a SCAD render farm user:

There is a popular rumor that the render farm will be accessible post-graduation, but this is not the case so don't hold back on your dream renders. :)

The Guide

Using my background in publication design I created an informative and hyperlinked documentation guide for using the SCAD render farm.

SCAD_RenderFarm_Guide.pdf

Download PDF • 277KB

Upon graduating from SCAD in the spring of 2023, I noticed a significant gap in the SCAD Render Farm documentation. A transition of the locally hosted website had unfortunately rendered tutorial details inaccessible, leaving students with only a basic step-by-step list that failed to educate or explore the intricate details of the SCAD Render Farm.

Drawing from my experiences with the render farm, my extensive use of various rendering software through the SCAD VSFX Department, and information polling from informed professors and users, I took the initiative to create a comprehensive guide. I shared this resource with professors, fellow students, and various student hubs, with the intention of enhancing the educational experience for incoming users of the SCAD Render Farm. My goal was to improve usability and ensure that future users could navigate the system with greater confidence and success.

Render Farm Auto-Checker

The SCAD Render Farm auto-checker was developed out of a genuine desire to enhance the student experience by streamlining the workflow from submission to receiving final renders. Traditionally, students faced the cumbersome task of repeatedly logging into the SCAD Render Farm website to check on the status of their renders, often due to the site's time-out policy.

This repetitive process of reloading, re-accessing, and re-analyzing render statuses consumed valuable time, especially during high-pressure periods such as finals. The importance of being promptly informed about the completion of a render cannot be overstated, particularly when dealing with tight deadlines and quick turnaround times. I witnessed a record queue of 72 during finals, highlighting the need for such an efficient solution.

SCAD_render_farm_checker.zip

Download ZIP • 39KB

This script allowed for students remote of the SCAD network to run a check on the state of completion for their SCAD Render Farm renders.

It's unfortunate that access to the SCAD Render Farm is discontinued after graduation. Towards the end of my time at SCAD, I developed this script to automatically monitor the current state of the Render Farm. My intention was to enhance it with a user-friendly interface and additional capabilities, including:

• Notifying users via text or email upon the completion of their renders.

• Exploring the possibility of queuing or automating the submission of new renders through this application.

  
  

Although I no longer have access to the Render Farm to bring this vision to life, I see this as a wonderful opportunity for aspiring SCAD students! If you’re reading this blog and are eager to make meaningful contributions, I encourage you to dive into my script and enhance it with any features you believe would improve the current workflow.

P.S. If anyone takes on this challenge, I would love to see your demo footage showcasing the enhancements!