New Rendering Contest

Al Hart · 26 Feb 2009, 20:23

Render Plus is launching a new IRender nXt rendering contest. It starts now and will run until April 2nd.

There will be 3 main prizes:

You can create new models for the renderings, or use existing models (even 3D Warehouse models), and use IRender nXt to improve them. A special trial version of IRender nXt is being provided for contest participants.

See this page for more information: Rendering Contest

You can post your questions and comments here, or send them to contest@renderplus.com

solo · 26 Feb 2009, 21:14

Al

I downloaded the new version and installed it, however it automatically installed to SU7, but I want it for version 6, I tried to copy the plugin files and paste into the plugins folder of SU6 to no avail (nothing shows up in plugind drop window, no toolbar)
Is there a way of making it work with version six, or installing to SU version of our choice?

I am not ready to move to version 7 while it's still so buggy and I do not have a back button on component options.

Al Hart · 26 Feb 2009, 21:29

The easiest way is to uninstall it and reinstall it again. When you installed it, it asked for a SU version.

It is interesting to learn that some people are sticking with SU 6. It means we will have to be careful not to make incompatible. for instance, we supply some components for light bulbs. We have to be careful to keep them at SU 6 level.

solo · 26 Feb 2009, 21:54

That worked, thanks.

Regarding the whole 6 to 7 move, It took me a year to finally move from 4 to 5, it's probably just me as i get too familiar with one version and very reluctant to fix what ain't broken, now if version 7 had higher poly support I'd have been there with speed.

andyc · 27 Feb 2009, 08:41

Sounds good. Downloading now!!

A.

notareal · 27 Feb 2009, 09:02

@al hart said:

The easiest way is to uninstall it and reinstall it again. When you installed it, it asked for a SU version.

It is interesting to learn that some people are sticking with SU 6. It means we will have to be careful not to make incompatible. for instance, we supply some components for light bulbs. We have to be careful to keep them at SU 6 level.

Have to say I am one of those. At the moment I just did not find any reason to upgrade to 7 Pro. SU 6 Pro does give me all the pro features I do need (exports). I do use SU 7 free, time to time.

Sir · 27 Feb 2009, 12:37

i get this message when trying to dl the trial

HForm.com Form Handler
The form could not be handled. The following error occured:
The form number or name is invalid !

is this my problem?

Al Hart · 27 Feb 2009, 14:31

Fill out the download form one more time for me to see if it works. If it fails again I will send you a lonk to the download page.

hebrides · 27 Feb 2009, 19:48

Thanks Al. I gave it a try. It set up ok and rendered a few small objects quite well. I then tried a few warehouse models but anything but the smallest scene just stops at the collecting faces stage. I am using SU7. I have a dual core with 2 gig, 2ghz processors, 256 meg video.

Al Hart · 27 Feb 2009, 19:53

Send us the name or link of a 3D Warehouse file which fails and we will try it here.

For larger models, you need to use our Batch Rendering Mode which can render models which are 2 to 5 times as large. (We can process larger models in a separate batch process when we do not have to share the available memory per process with SketchUp)

hebrides · 27 Feb 2009, 19:58

Before I waste any of your time I will build a reasonable sized model with detail and see how it goes. I will for sure try the batch mode as well. Thanks Al!

solo · 27 Feb 2009, 20:11

Al

This is great news, I have a model that's too big for Indigo and Podium to render,so far only Vray has been able to process it, I will give it a go with NXT batch, if it works as I hope I may be able to do the animation with it that I need without having to try get it into Max.

I must say the render with edges is a fantastic addition, glad it's a feature and the HDRI has been made simple.

One thing that I have noticed is the UI is very simple yet has many bells and whistles, it does as it says and the renders are very fast.

So far I'm very impressed with the new version.

richcat · 27 Feb 2009, 22:07

Glad to see your enjoying it as much as me so far.
It will interesting to see how you get on. I believe there is also a 64 bit batch rendering version that I believe Al colud give you access to if the 32 doesn't work. They have been waiting for people to push the size limit.
Lets hope with this competition others give it go and find out it virtues. Quick and simple, but with access to additional more complex features if you need them.

Ecuadorian · 28 Feb 2009, 21:13

Can people outside the U.S. enter the contest?

Al Hart · 28 Feb 2009, 21:54

@ecuadorian said:

Can people outside the U.S. enter the contest?

Yes. The prizes will be awarded as Amazon.com gift cards (or software credits at Render Plus)

Are you able to access and use Amazon.com?

Ecuadorian · 28 Feb 2009, 22:04

Sure, I buy a lot of my stuff from Amazon.com, including electronics. The only thing they don't sell to foreigners is mp3s & video downloads. Glad to know you're accepting people from around the world. I'll give this a try.

Nunja Business · 1 Mar 2009, 13:35

It sure would be nice to have the 64-bit version available.

Al Hart · 7 Mar 2009, 17:33

A '64-bit' version will not be faster, except for very large models.

Compiling an application for 64-bits makes it run slightly slower, because all the address references in the programs are twice as long (64 bits instead of 32 bits), so the program itself is larger.

The new version of IRender nXt which we will release Monday can process models which are 2 to 3 times large. (We found a way to process larger models).

Al Hart · 7 Mar 2009, 17:35

@unknownuser said:

Do I have to purchase IRender to enter the contest?

No, we are providing a free, 30-day version for all contest participants (See: Contest ) .

Also, a you can choose a free copy of IRender nXt as your prize if your entry is selected as the best.

Al Hart · 30 Mar 2009, 14:04

There are just a few days left in the Rendering Contest.
We have received some great entries, and I know some of you are waiting until the last minute to get yours ready.

Additional Prize

We have decided to add one more (potential) prize as follows:
If both of the top two winners already own IRender nXt, then we are going to award a copy of IRender nXt to the top finisher who does not already own a copy of the product. That way the best rendering by a contestant who does not own the software will get a free copy of the software.

See: Contest for more information on the rendering contest.

Also, we will automatically enter any images which are uploaded directly to the IRender nXt Image Gallery.

Extension to Deadline

We are not going to extend the contest beyond April 2nd. However, if you need just a little more time, you may request a 72 hour extension to complete your rendering. Send an email to contest@renderplus.com telling us that you need just a little more time, and we give you an additional 72 hours to get you entries completed.

Resolution

All images will be judged at 800 x 600 resolution, however you may submit larger resolutions if desired. (The larger resolution image may be helpful when the images are added to the Image Gallery)

Submit contest entries to contest@renderplus.com