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RAM/Memory Issues

nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 Posts: 0
edited December 1969 in Daz Studio Discussion

So I recently got the inquisition set and went to render it with 2 models, problem, I have vista with a 32bit system, meaning I can only access about 3.2 gb of ram, and daz crashes because of how much it needs to render it.

I've removed all unnecessary parts of the scene, and it works to the point that I add lighting.

Is there anyway of altering the render settings so it will get around the ram issue by taking longer for the scene to render?

Comments

  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,583
    edited December 1969

    RAM needed is dependent on what's in the scene, not directly by the rendering. A few things you can do to reduce the RAM needed:

    1) Make multiple renders and composite the afterwards
    2) Replace the textures with lower-res versions where the detail isn't needed
    3) Save the scene and reboot before rendering
    4) Render to RIB and render that without DS running.

  • nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 Posts: 0
    edited January 2013

    You kind of lost me on No.4

    Post edited by nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 on
  • XoechZXoechZ Posts: 1,102
    edited December 1969

    What I am curious about is:

    Why is DAZ crashing when it runs out of RAM and not using the pagefile? I mean, that is what the pagefile is for - not enough RAM - write to pagefile. Of course this slows down all the operatios but prevents from crashing.

  • mCasualmCasual Posts: 4,607
    edited December 1969

    in the advanced parameters of the render settings pane/tab

    at the bottom there's a "restore default settings"

    it's worth a try

  • Herald of FireHerald of Fire Posts: 3,504
    edited December 1969

    XoechZ said:
    What I am curious about is:

    Why is DAZ crashing when it runs out of RAM and not using the pagefile? I mean, that is what the pagefile is for - not enough RAM - write to pagefile. Of course this slows down all the operatios but prevents from crashing.

    There's a limit to how much pagefile it can use. Daz will happily use the pagefile, but its size can vary depending on the user's settings. Furthermore, this psuedo-memory is actually swapped in and out of RAM, which it can't do if you're using up too much of it. Think of it as a temporary memory storage it needs to recall into actual memory before it can be put to use, not a replacement for physical RAM.

    Another issue is that the pagefile tries to write the least used items onto disc and keep the more crucial stuff in RAM, because it's faster. In something like rendering where you're using the majority of it, Windows can have a hard time keeping up on less powerful machines.

  • nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 Posts: 0
    edited December 1969

    Casual said:
    in the advanced parameters of the render settings pane/tab

    at the bottom there's a "restore default settings"

    it's worth a try

    There are only a few settings I've changed.

    Is it possible for an object to create a shadow without the object being rendered?

  • nitehawk_ltdnitehawk_ltd Posts: 387
    edited December 1969

    You want your page file to be twice the size of your physical ram.

    On a 32bit system the max ram you can have is 4gb. ( "3.2gb usable ram") Adding more ram won't help.
    But only 2gb is available for programs, the rest is reserved for system or video display use.
    Check to see if you can add the " /3GB" switch to your boot.ini file. This allows 3gb for program use.
    This cut over 1/2hr. from my rendering time. Plus I can render scenes with 8 Aiko 3s in it.
    Scenes that before would crash the program.

    Or, you can upgrade to a 64bit op system. (winXP 64bit or win7 64bit or run Studio on Linux under Wine)
    Let's not talk about win8 OK? :P

    My system:
    AMD Athlon 2 3.1GHz
    4gb ram
    winxp pro sp3 32bit.
    D/S 2.3
    Poser 6

    Yes, I have D/S 4, but I don't like the user interface. I like 2.3 better. :P :P

    As always YMMv

  • StratDragonStratDragon Posts: 3,167
    edited January 2013

    nightfall.dark.one said:
    You kind of lost me on No.4

    http://forumarchive.daz3d.com/viewtopic.php?p=1758895
    crazy, but it works most of the time.
    Depending on what version of DS you are running you may need to find the compatible 3Delight version on 3Delights website as a matter of trail and error.

    Post edited by StratDragon on
  • nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 Posts: 0
    edited January 2013

    @Stratdragon

    Even with your detailed forum page I got completely lost and confused.

    @nitehawk_ltd

    I tried changing the size of my pagefile, didn't work.

    I might have to figure out another way of doing the scene.

    But thanks anyway everyone.

    Also no one answered my question whether you can create a shadow from an invisible object..

    Post edited by nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 on
  • nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 Posts: 0
    edited January 2013

    Finally got the render done, I used one fixmypcmike suggestions, various composition.

    Here is the final result for you to enjoy, image 25 of issue 3 of my one going 18+ comic, Mina Chronicles.

    Once again thank you all for your help.

    25.jpg
    1800 x 1080 - 525K
    Post edited by nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 on
  • StratDragonStratDragon Posts: 3,167
    edited December 1969

    Glad you got a method that works for, there is nothing more frustrating that a render crash after hours of prep work.

    I would suggest if this is going to be a big project you do not skimp on post production work in Photoshop or GIMP or whatever. On older or less powerful systems it will really increase production time by decreasing render down time and render guesswork.
    If you want to try the standalone method ever again and run into problems post back here and I'll try to help you best I can.

  • nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 Posts: 0
    edited December 1969

    I sure will.

  • XoechZXoechZ Posts: 1,102
    edited December 1969

    Another thing you can try is to hide or completely remove all objects that are not visible or outside the camera frame. Especially when you are working with big environments where only a small part is visible, this can save a lot of RAM and also CPU power when rendering.

  • nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998nightfall.dark.one_3932ef9998 Posts: 0
    edited December 1969

    XoechZ said:
    Another thing you can try is to hide or completely remove all objects that are not visible or outside the camera frame. Especially when you are working with big environments where only a small part is visible, this can save a lot of RAM and also CPU power when rendering.

    Thanks but I already do that.

  • chrisschellchrisschell Posts: 267
    edited January 2013

    I gotta say that putting in the 3gb switch for your boot ini file does wonders for Daz rendering... I'm able since putting it in to render items like the train engine used in this render that weigh in at 300,000 polys+ and a full scene now where before putting the switch in Daz would choke and crash just trying to render the train engine.... nevermind adding traincars and a full scene with bumps, lights, DOF, reflections etc like I've done here...

    I'm on a Dual Core system with Winxp 32bit and used Daz 2.3 for this one... 6 lights to get a decent reasonably realistic scene... and about a bazillion polys worth of train, scene props and extras with bumpmaps and raytracing applied... before the 3gb switch oh heck no... not a chance! :) Render time was about 5 hours... but not bad for a scene this size and complexity... I should note here too that there's absolutely no post-work except to add the image title and my signature... everything else is pure Daz rendering :)

    The_Age_of_Steam2.jpg
    1258 x 590 - 155K
    Post edited by chrisschell on
  • SzarkSzark Posts: 10,634
    edited December 1969

    nightfall.dark.one said:

    Also no one answered my question whether you can create a shadow from an invisible object..

    In Daz Studio we have Uber Surface.

    Select your object, go to the Surfaces Pane and select all the surfaces for that object
    In the Content Library Pane go to Daz Studio Formats > My Library > Shader Presets > Omnifreaker > Uber Surface
    Double click the Uber Surfaces Base to apply.
    Go back to the Surfaces Pane and look for "Fathom" turn it on for all the surfaces for that object.
    It should now cast a shadow but not render.

    If you want to retain the textures hold down Crtl when applying Uber Surface and choose "Ignore" for Map Settings.

  • nitehawk_ltdnitehawk_ltd Posts: 387
    edited December 1969

    nightfall.dark.one said:
    @Stratdragon

    Also no one answered my question whether you can create a shadow from an invisible object..

    Use a 2D "billboard" to cast your shadow.

    A billboard is a flat plane with a texture & transparency mats, that is set to point at the camera, no matter where the camera is.
    It's used for crowd scenes or for trees. A second plane, rotated 90% on center, parented to the first, will cast your shadow.
    Since it's a 2D one polygon figure, you can load a lot of them in a scene & not run out of memory.

    To make a billboard:
    Render your figure, both texture shaded & flat shaded, make the flat figure all black.
    Use you favorite paint program to make a trans mat from the flat.
    Create 2 flat plane objects. Parent the second to the first, rotated 90 degrees on center.
    Apply both mats to both planes.
    Save as figure or scene.
    Load & pose where you want, point at the camera. The camera can't see the second plane.

    Just make the plane facing the camera invisible. Instant shadow from invisible object.

    Sorry it took so long to answer, hope this helps.

    Gerry

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