Background Reactor

Adding a second GPU on HP Z800, Z820, and Z840 Linux workstations enables the use of Background Reactor to generate effects on the workstation in the background.

Background Reactor requires its own floating license seat, so that two are required for the workstation.

To install:

1. Shut down the workstation and install a compatible second GPU. It must be the same as the main graphic card. See the system requirements for supported slot configurations. Restart the computer.
2. As root, backup xorg.conf if it was edited to create a custom configuration.
3. Add the application licenses on the local workstation or in the license server.
4. Install the application software. Do not select the "Keep my customized graphics configuration option" so the xorg.conf file can be updated with the correct information for the second GPU.
5. Edit xorg.conf to add the custom information.
6. Logout and login as the Linux user or as the Autodesk product user.

Whether jobs are rendered in the foreground or background is configurable in Preferences> General > Default Rendering Options. It is possible to have Background Reactor tasks assigned to Backburner Manager. The configuration cannot be changed while Background Reactor tasks are running. It is possible to have Background Reactor and background tasks (i.e. proxy generation, media export, wire, etc.) run simultaneously on the same station. Background jobs are still performed in serial.