remote-render.com

A render farm basically sells computer time. As such, our prices are based on the amount of computer time required to render your single frame or, in the case of an animation, a series of frames.

For single frames, there are two possibilities:

Example A:

You have a large frame - let's say 4000 x 3000 - which you need rendered by tomorrow.

Because there is enough time to render it "normally", we would take this frame and render it on our render farm, assigning it to a SINGLE render node. Assuming it's a relatively complex frame, let's say it takes exactly 5 hours to render.

Your cost would be $5.75
(5 hours x $1.15 per hour = $5.75).

Example B:

You have the same large frame - 4000 x 3000 - which you need rendered NOW, ASAP, YESTERDAY !!!

In this case, time is of essence. We would render this frame in STRIPS on our render farm, assigning the job to 50 render nodes. Each node will basically render strips of 80 x 3000 pixels and it would take around 20 minutes to render the whole thing.

So far so good... In a perfect world, that would be the end of it.

However, in order to be able to "stitch" the strips together, 3ds Max actually renders more than just the exact height of the strips. It adds 12 pixels to the top and bottom of each strip (except the first and last strips) so that it can later match the strips and correctly join (or stitch) them together.

In this particular example, this is what will be rendered:

• Strip 0: 92 x 3000 (Strip height: 80 + 12)
• Strips 1-48: 104 x 3000 (Strip height: 12 + 80 + 12)
• Strip 49: 92 x 3000 (Strip height: 12 + 80)

As mentioned earlier, the 12-pixel overlap is required to join the individual strips into the full image, using the same basic techniques used by panorama photo stitching software.

These additional 24 pixels per strip represent more work and thus, more computing time. You will have a faster turnaround but it will come at a higher cost. In this specific example, these 24 additional pixels represent 27% more computing or total render time.

Your approximate cost: $7.33
(5 hours x 127% x $1.15 per hour = $7.33)

In the end, it really depends on how much time is available to render your single frame scene.

As a matter of policy, we reserve the right to render a single frame using either of the two options described above. However, if we choose to "strip render" your frame due to operational considerations on our part, you will NOT be charged for the additional time overhead incurred.

You will only be charged for the faster - and costlier strip - rendering method if you specifically request us to do so based on your own schedule requirements.

The only exception to the above are frames that require longer than 6 hours to render. In such a case, we would inform you PRIOR to rendering and if you agree, and only then, we will proceed with a strip rendering of your frame.