About Batch Rendering

When ready to generate final clips or intermediate results, define the settings for each Render and Write File node to be processed, then use the Render box to make a rendering selection. By default, rendered clips appear in the provided Batch Renders reel under the Batch Shelf. Use the Renders Destination box of Render Node settings menu to specify another location.

Use the Render node to output clips to the Desktop or Media Library. Use the Write File node to export open clip files or image sequences in any supported format. With the Render node, metadata is kept; with the Write File node, metadata is not kept, unless Create Clip Data is enabled.

Render and Write File nodes support RGB, RGB-A, and Stereo processing modes.

When working with multiple resolutions, the resolution of the Render or Write File node is determined by the clip or node feeding it. However, the output can be resized to any resolution.

Use the Render List to manage multiple Render and Write File processes.

Proxy Quality and Rendering

The proxy quality workflow affects the Batch rendering options. There is a Resolution button, in the Basic menu of the Batch interface, which offers two options:

• Working Resolution: This tells Batch to render the media at the current working resolution. If the current working resolution is set to Proxy, Batch renders at proxy resolution. If the current working resolution is set to Full, Batch renders at full resolution. This is the default option.
• Full Resolution: This option forces Batch to render at full resolution, regardless of the current working resolution.

Naming Output Nodes

To help organize outputs, Output node can be created using the name of any output socket in the process tree. With the Output node selected in the schematic, press N and click a node output—the name of the Output node is updated. To change the Output node name, or if to change the name of the original output socket, redo the naming process.

Tokens are also available to set default Render node and Write File node names:

• To define a name for one user, use the Default Render Node Name and Default Write File Node Name fields located in the Timeline FX / Batch / Batch FX tab of the Preferences panel.
• To define a name based on specific criteria, use the batchDefaultRenderNodeName and batchDefaultWriteFileNodeName python hooks, located in /usr/discreet/<installed_application>/python/batchHook.py.

Exporting With Open Clip Data

Open clip files can be created using a Write File node with Create Clip Data enabled. This enables the ability to save a copy of the active setup with the exported material, and package exports with the setups that created them or version the exports.

Note: An open clip file is an XML file which describes channels, media, and versions. Create open clip files to be used inside Batch with the Read File node, such as within a context of render passes between Flame Premium and a 3D application.

Advanced: Executing Batch from the Command Prompt

Batch can be executed directly from a command shell in order to render complex process trees while the workstation is not in use, such as overnight. The following command starts Flame Premium for a specified user, and renders a specified Batch setup:

flame -b batchsetup -U user - J project

Note: The specified user and project name must be valid.