3Delight Preferences lets you choose the compute ressources you want to use for rendering: either your computer, or 3Delight Cloud. They apply to any rendering launch from your account (from any DCC like Maya, Houdini, etc.). They do not apply to the command line 'renderdl' (which has its own set of command line options to select these resources).
The Processing options are important for selecting the compute resources you want to use for rendering: either your computer, or 3Delight Cloud.
This Computer
This is the common option to render using your own computer. With this option, you have three speed levels to choose from: Full Capacity, 90% Capacity, Half Capacity. Typically, you select Full Capacity to render as fast as possible. If you would like to leave some processing capacity for other tasks (eg. for a more responsive UI), you can choose 90%. To leave even more capacity for other tasks, select Half Capacity.
The number of cores used per your selection will be display in the circle below the selector. If you see the following line appear below it it means you are using the Free 3Delight and the number or cores has been restricted.
Live rendering (IPR) always occurs with this option.
3Delight Cloud
Select this option if you would like your rendering performed using 3Delight Cloud. The number of cores used in this case is proportional to the resolution of your image. Yet, you have four speed levels to choose from. Each speed level aiming to increase the number of cores by a factor of 3 from the previous one.
Here are exemples of how many cores that will be used for the following resolutions:
Speed | HD | 4K (4096x2304) |
|---|---|---|
| Econo | 56 cores | 224 cores |
| Normal | 168 cores | 672 cores |
| Fast (16 BPC) | 506 cores | 2025 cores |
| Ludicrous | 1518 cores | 6072 cores |
Speed levels only applies to preview renders (i.e. single image rendering outputted to the display). Sequence rendering is always done at econo speed.
More Options
Typically, an image is rendered gradually in small groups of pixels called buckets. The following options allows you to control how the progress occurs and wether progress indicators are to be displayed. These options only apply to preview rendering.
Progression
Specifies in what order the buckets are rendered. It applies to both normal and live (IPRs) renders. The options are:
Progression | Description |
|---|---|
| Horizontal | Buckets are rendered row by row, from left to right and from top to bottom. |
| Vertical | Buckets are rendered column by column, from top to bottom, and from left to right. |
| Zigzag | Buckets are rendered row by row, from left to right on even rows, and from right to left on odd rows. |
| Spiral | Buckets are rendered in a clockwise spiral starting at the centre of the image. |
| Circle | Buckets are rendered in concentric circles starting at the centre of the image. This is the default option. |
Show outlines after [ n ] seconds
Shows an outline around the bucket (or group of buckets) being processed. This outline will be shown only if the processing time exceed the "n" seconds you specified. Typically, for buckets that are calculated rapidly, showing such outline is not useful.
Show timer after [ m ] seconds
For buckets that are even longer to process, you can have a timer (in second) displayed over them while their processing continue. The timer will only be displayed after their processing time exceed the "m" seconds you specified.