Blender is a powerful, free, and open-source 3D creation software supported by a large and active community. Starting your journey with animation in Blender is a great choice, especially if you’re new to this field.

Before jumping into animation in Blender, it’s a good idea to get familiar with some essential tools that will make the process easier and more efficient. 

• Constraints: 

Constraints are used to control how an object moves, rotates, or scales by linking it to another object or rule. They help automate complex motion, so you don’t have to animate everything manually, saving time and increasing realism.

• Motion paths: 

Motion Paths show the route an object or bone takes during an animation. This visual guide helps you fine-tune the movement and timing by showing where things go frame by frame.

• Drivers: 

Drivers let you control one property using another. For example, if you’re animating a clock, you can set up a driver so the hour hand moves automatically based on the rotation of the minute hand—no need to animate both separately.

• Shape keys: 

Shape Keys allow you to modify the shape of a mesh and blend between those shapes. They’re commonly used for facial expressions like smiling, blinking, or frowning. Combined with keyframes, Shape Keys bring characters to life.

• Rigging: 

Rigging creates a digital skeleton for your 3D model, allowing it to move in realistic ways. For example, rigging a human model helps joints bend naturally, which is essential for character animation.

• Keyframes: 

Keyframes mark specific positions or values at certain points in time. To animate something like a bouncing ball, you would insert keyframes at different frames to show where the ball is—on the ground, in the air, and back down again.

• Grease pencil: 

Grease Pencil lets you draw directly in 2D or 3D space. It’s perfect for sketching, storyboarding, or creating full 2D animations with layers, brushes, and editable strokes.

By learning and practicing with these tools, you’ll be well-prepared to handle many creative tasks involved in animation in Blender.

Here’s a simple guide to help you start making your own 2D animation in Blender:

1. Launch the 2D Workspace

Open Blender and select “2D Animation” from the screen. This will bring you directly into Blender’s dedicated 2D animation workspace, which is quite different from the typical 3D layout.

2. Start Drawing with the Grease Pencil

First, switch to Object Mode from the menu in the top-left corner. Then, create a Grease Pencil object, which acts as your drawing surface.

Next, change the mode to Draw Mode using the same drop-down. In this mode, you can begin sketching using Blender’s drawing tools.

Use the Grease Pencil to draw your characters and backgrounds. You can customize your brushes—adjusting thickness, opacity, and style—just like in most digital drawing apps. Be sure to add colors to bring your drawings to life!

3. Add Animation Using Keyframes and Motion Paths

Once your drawing is ready, it’s time to animate!

• Select your drawing, press I to insert a keyframe for its current position.
• Move the timeline to a new frame.
• Then draw a new pose and hit I again to insert another keyframe.
  Repeat this process to build up your character’s motion across frames.

For smaller objects or repeated elements, you can animate them using motion paths and keyframes without redrawing every single frame.

To enhance your animation, consider adding some visual effects—like a blurred background for depth or camera movements to add energy and focus.

4. Preview and Final Render

Use the Play button in the timeline to preview your animation in real time.

For a quick preview, go to the View menu and choose “Viewport Render Animation”. This lets you check the animation without fully rendering it.

Once you’re satisfied, follow Blender’s rendering process to produce the final animation file.

If you want a visual guide, check out the video “Blender 2D Animation Basics for Beginners – Grease Pencil Guide” by PolyPaint for a great walkthrough of the process.

Here’s a step-by-step overview to help you get started with creating 3D animation in Blender:

1. Start a New Project

To begin, open Blender and create a new project by going to the File menu, hovering over New, and selecting General. This sets up the workspace for 3D animation in Blender, not 2D.

2. Import and Prepare Your 3D Model

Bring your 3D character or object into Blender by navigating to File > Import. Choose the correct format (e.g., .obj or .fbx), locate your model, and click Import.

Once the model is in your scene, you’ll see it placed in the 3D viewport. You can import more objects as needed to build your scene. Set up lighting using Blender’s lighting tools to enhance the look of your environment.

To animate facial expressions or mesh changes, use Shape Keys to create various versions like smiling or blinking.

3. Animate with Keyframes and Animation Tools

Use Blender’s animation features—such as Constraints, Motion Paths, Drivers, and Keyframes—to bring your models to life.

• Go into Object Mode and press I to insert a keyframe, or go to Object > Animation > Insert Keyframe.
• Place keyframes at different moments in time to define the movement or transformation of your model.
• You can set keyframes for position, rotation, and scale—and even name them if your animation gets complex, making it easier to manage.

4. Refine Your Animation

Go through your timeline and tweak your keyframes to make the motion smoother. You can adjust the interpolation type (e.g., linear, bezier) to control how movement transitions between keyframes. Don’t forget to animate smaller details to give your work a polished feel.

5. Add Sound and Camera Motion

To include sound in your animation:

• Switch to the Video Sequencer from the top-left editor menu.
• Press Shift + A, select Sound, and load your audio file.
• You can drag the sound strip along the timeline to sync it with your animation.

Adding camera movement also helps bring your scene to life. You can animate the camera just like any other object using keyframes.

6. Preview and Render

Before final rendering, use Blender’s Viewport Render Animation option to preview your scene and make any necessary tweaks. Since rendering can take time, this helps catch errors early.

When you’re happy with the result, let’s render the full animation. You may want to check some tips to optimize Blender Cycles and Eevee for fast rendering here.

Need help learning the ropes? Check out beginner-friendly tutorials like:
“How to Animate in Blender: Learning the Basics” by Alex on Story
“Animation for Beginners! Blender Tutorial” by Ryan King Art

These are great starting points to level up your skills with 3D animation in Blender.

iRender provides private high-configuration machines with upmarket specifications that excel in rendering, like AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4.5GHz, 1/2/4/6/8 x RTX4090 or RTX3090,  RAM 256GB, Storage NVMe SSD 2TB.

Why can iRender be a great render farm for you?

In addition to high-configuration servers, iRender provides many other utilities to provide the best user experience.

• Dedicated server for individuals: You have full control and access to the server you rent. The working environment (installed apps, files) will be stored for the next use.
• Easy and free file transfer between your computer and iRender’s server: The transferring task can be done via iRender GPU application for Windows and the iRender Drive application for MacOS.
• 24/7 assistance: iRender’s attentive agents are always ready to support all your queries.
• All software compatibility: iRender’s PCs are built to meet the configuration needs of all 3D software and rendering tools at a variety of cost levels for users to choose from.

Let’s see how fast Blender renders on iRender’s machines!

New users will get a 100% bonus for the first transaction within 24 hours of their registration. No minimum amount!! If you top up 50$, you will get 100 points in total to hire our machines.

REGISTER NOW

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me through email duongdt@irender.vn or our 24/7 support team for a quick response.

Thank you for reading

Image and information source: Skillshare, Vagon, Blender, PolyPaint

In this article, we will discuss various strategies to enhance viewport and rendering performance for Rasterization and Pathtracing (Blender Cycles and Eevee). Our goal is to lower the computational and memory demands on the GPU, CPU, VRAM, RAM, and even the hard drive

The first step to boosting the performance of Blender Cycles and Eevee is to optimize shader. Let’s explore ways to reduce memory usage and improve computation efficiency.

• Minimize Textures: Since memory reads are slow, reducing the number of textures used will significantly help. Aim to have each material reference as few textures as possible, and use the smallest necessary resolution and channel count.
  
• Use Alternatives to Color Maps: To optimize texture reads and make better use of computational resources, consider using a single grayscale mask and procedural texturing instead of color maps.
  
• Avoid Redundant Textures: By cropping your patterns or seamless textures, you can prevent storing unnecessary repetitive textures that don’t contribute to the final scene.
  
• Limit Photo Textures: Instead of using photo textures, which can be difficult to compress and are often too high in resolution, try using normal maps. For example, you can create a similar effect using a tiled rotated gradient in 3D instead of a 2D photo texture.
  
• Use Square Textures: Using square textures like 128×128 or 256×256 can help reduce the workload for VRAM.
  
• Resize Textures: If high-resolution textures don’t provide a noticeable visual difference, consider resizing them to reduce render times.

• Avoid Procedural Noise: Procedural noise is resource-heavy, so it’s better to use noise textures across multiple shaders and store various noise textures in different RGB channels to improve performance.
• Avoid Complex Procedural Masks: Ray-traced Ambient Occlusion (AO) or ray-traced beveling are computationally demanding. To minimize this load, consider using color attributes to store AO and edges in the RG channels instead of relying on heavy procedural masking.
• Simplify Complex Nodes: Nodes like HSL or Principled BSDF require significant processing power (CPU/GPU), memory (RAM), and time to calculate. Reducing the use of complex nodes can help lighten the computational load.
• Limit the Use of Volume Scattering: Volume scattering is very costly in terms of computation. To improve performance, it’s better to use a compositing pass with a depth pass or an emissive volume instead, as these are much less resource-intensive.
• Use Uber Materials: Having too many individual materials can reduce rendering performance, as each one needs to be compiled and is harder to manage. For faster rendering, use Uber materials that incorporate multiple attributes.
• Stop Using Alpha Blending: Alpha blending can slow down rendering. Switching the blend mode to Opaque, Alpha Clip, or Alpha Hashed can speed up the process.

Additionally, utilizing texture atlases or UDIMs to combine materials and choosing lower-quality filtering when possible can optimize both memory usage and computational performance.

The next step to improve the performance of Blender Cycles and Eevee is Geometry optimization.

• Remove Redundant Attributes: Attributes take up memory and need to be loaded into VRAM. By removing or merging unnecessary attributes and optimizing shaders, you can significantly reduce memory usage.
• Disable “Custom Split Normal Data” Option: The “custom split normal data” option in the Geometry data section consumes memory and doesn’t always provide noticeable visual improvements. Unchecking this option can help reduce memory usage.

• Avoid Overdrawing: Overdrawing is a big task when working with transparent objects. Drawing multiple triangles on top of each other leads to unnecessary processing. This is especially important when you need to trace rays through transparent objects. To reduce computational load, try manually cutting the mesh to minimize empty space while keeping the polycount low.
  
• Reduce Draw Calls: Every time an object or material is rendered, it generates a draw call. The more draw calls, the more work the CPU and GPU need to do. To minimize draw calls, try batching or merging multiple materials and meshes into a single one, especially when the complexity of the meshes or materials is low.
  
• Use LOD for Rasterization: When triangles are as small as or smaller than 1 pixel, the GPU still processes a 2×2 pixel block during rasterization, which wastes computational resources. To save resources and improve performance, it’s recommended to use LOD (Level of Detail), particularly for distant geometry.

• Avoid Overlapping Vertices: When importing or editing meshes, you may end up with vertices or entire faces at the same location, consuming unnecessary memory and computation power without improving the visual quality. To remove duplicates, use Edit Mode > Select All > Mesh > Merge > By Distance.
  
• Use Instances for Symmetry: Duplicating a mesh to create symmetry doubles the number of triangles the computer needs to process. This means the GPU/CPU still has to handle both sides, even if they are identical. It’s better to split your mesh and use instances instead of duplicates to save on memory and processing power

• Use rasterization when full path tracing isn’t necessary.
  
• Lower the number of samples to speed up rendering time.
  
• Turn off features that don’t significantly affect the final visual quality.
  
• Use the minimum number of lights and shadows to maintain performance.
  
• Transparent bounces can cause a significant drop in performance.

• Clamping: Controls the maximum brightness of individual light samples. Lowering this can reduce noise and fireflies.
  
• Direct Lighting: Set to 0 for unbiased results. You can increase it to 1 to reduce noise in complex light setups.
  
• Indirect Lighting: Set to 0.1 for animations to reduce noise while maintaining a path-traced look.
  
• Disable Reflective and Refractive Caustics: This helps speed up renders and reduces noise.
  
• Min Light Bounces and Min Transparent Bounces: Set to total bounces to reduce noise.
  
• Light Tree: Useful for scenes with many lights, but avoid it for scenes with fewer lights due to extra computation.
  
• Optix vs Open Image Denoise (OID): Optix is faster, but OID (GPU) is recommended for better results with RTX cards.
  
• Threads Mode: Set to fixed and use CPU threads -1 for better CPU/GPU balance.
  
• Tiling: Disable it for faster rendering unless working with high-resolution images or low VRAM.
  
• Persistent Data: Keep BVH and other data cached to speed up repeated renders.
  
• Viewport Pixel Size: Set to 2x or auto to reduce pixel count during ray tracing for heavy scenes.

iRender provides private high-configuration machines with upmarket specifications that excel in rendering, like AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4.5GHz, 1/2/4/6/8 x RTX4090 or RTX3090,  RAM 256GB, Storage NVMe SSD 2TB.

Why can iRender be a great render farm for you?

In addition to high-configuration servers, iRender provides many other utilities to provide the best user experience.

• Dedicated server for individuals: You have full control and access to the server you rent. The working environment (installed apps, files) will be stored for the next use.
• Easy and free file transfer between your computer and iRender’s server: The transferring task can be done via iRender GPU application for Windows and the iRender Drive application for MacOS.
• 24/7 assistance: iRender’s attentive agents are always ready to support all your queries.
• All software compatibility: iRender’s PCs are built to meet the configuration needs of all 3D software and rendering tools at a variety of cost levels for users to choose from.

Let’s see how fast Blender renders on iRender’s machines!

New users will get a 100% bonus for the first transaction within 24 hours of their registration. No minimum amount!! If you top up 50$, you will get 100 points in total to hire our machines.

REGISTER NOW

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me through email duongdt@irender.vn or our 24/7 support team for a quick response.

Thank you for reading

Source of images and information: cgverse, Blender

Octane Render is one of the most powerful GPU-based rendering engines available today, enabling photorealistic rendering with incredible speed and efficiency. Therefore, having the best GPU for Octane Render can significantly impact your workflow and rendering times. In this blog, let’s explore the key factors to consider when selecting a GPU and provide the best GPU recommendations for different needs and budgets in 2025 with iRender!

OctaneRender® is the world’s first and fastest unbiased, spectrally correct GPU render engine, delivering quality and speed unrivaled by any production renderer on the market. Octane can be purchased separately (Octane Standalone) or as a plug-in for a number of DCC programs, including 3ds Max, Maya, and Cinema 4D. 

OctaneRender is a fully GPU-based rendering engine. This means that the video cards (or GPUs) in your system are what impact how long it takes renders to complete rather than the CPU.

A high-end CPU is not necessary for rendering but improves scene-loading times.

Octane Render is optimized for NVIDIA GPUs and relies on CUDA cores for processing. More CUDA cores translate to faster rendering speeds. RTX cores, available in modern NVIDIA GPUs, accelerate ray tracing, making lighting and reflections more realistic in real time. Because OctaneRender relies completely on the GPU for rendering and does not use the CPU (just for scene loading), a more powerful CUDA-enabled NVIDIA GPU (or multiple GPUs) is needed to increase OctaneRender’s rendering performance. Additionally, OctaneRender scales linearly with the CUDA core number within a given GPU architecture. For example, the GTX 690 (3072 CUDA cores) renders twice as fast in OctaneRender as the GTX 680 (1536 CUDA cores). That’s the first factor we need to consider to choose the right GPU for Octane Render. 

Besides, VRAM determines how complex your 3D scenes can be without slowing down performance. High-resolution textures, large-scale environments, and intricate animations demand more VRAM so it plays an indispensable role in rendering.  The minimum VRAM recommended for basic projects is 8GB, while 16GB-24GB is ideal for professionals. 

Octane supports multiple GPUs for even greater performance gains. If you require extreme performance, a multi-GPU setup is worth considering. Unlike most applications that utilize the GPU, OctaneRender scales almost perfectly with multiple cards. In other words, if you use two cards your renders will complete twice as fast as they would with just a single GPU. If you use four cards you will finish rendering four times faster! However, since Octane is using the cards for compute purposes, they do not need to be in SLI mode.

The NVIDIA RTX 5090 is the latest and most powerful GPU for OctaneRender in 2025. The RTX 5090 is perfect for high-end production studios and professionals working on complex 3D scenes, VFX, and 8K rendering, featuring a significant increase in CUDA cores, improved ray tracing capabilities, and enhanced AI-powered rendering.

One of its biggest advantages is its massive VRAM (32GB of GDDR7 VRAM), which allows for seamless handling of large textures, multiple light sources, and detailed geometries without performance drops. Early benchmarks show that it outperforms the RTX 4090 by 40%, making it the ultimate choice for those who demand unmatched speed and efficiency.

The next GPU you can consider is the NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4090. It remains one of the best GPUs for Octane Render even in 2025. With 16,384 CUDA cores and 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM, it provides outstanding performance for 3D artists and professionals. It also helps handle large, high-res textures and complex 3D models without memory issues. This GPU also features Tensor cores for AI acceleration, making AI denoising and upscaling faster, which is especially useful in OctaneRender’s path tracing and global illumination. 

With its solid performance and lower price compared to the RTX 5090, it remains an excellent choice for professionals who need top-tier rendering power but at a slightly lower cost.

The RTX 4080 is a fantastic mid-tier GPU that offers impressive CUDA core performance with less cost. It utilizes 16GB of GDDR6X VRAM, which is ample for most rendering tasks, but where it really shines is in its new architecture that features AI-driven enhancements like DLSS 3 (Deep Learning Super Sampling) for faster real-time rendering. For GPU-based rendering, AI technologies help reduce noise and improve clarity, which means smoother outputs without the need for extra passes. The RTX 4080 is highly optimized for efficient workflows—rendering large assets like environments, props, and complex lighting setups becomes significantly faster compared to older models.

The RTX 3090 is one of the best GPUs for Octane render. It’s still a powerhouse for OctaneRender with its 24GB VRAM, allowing users to handle massive textures and complex geometry. However, the RTX 3090 does not feature some of the AI-driven improvements of newer GPUs, meaning its performance in denoising and AI-based optimizations isn’t as fast as the RTX 4090 or 5090. Despite that, it remains a solid choice for multi-GPU setups, where adding additional RTX 3090s results in linear speedups for complex rendering tasks. 

Let’s see the bar chart below comparing the most popular GPUs.

It’s shown clearly in the chart above that RTX 4090 has the best performance, which is followed by RTX 4080. Moreover, the performance is better when you combine more than a single GPU. Let’s see, a dual RTX 4090/RTX 4080/RTX 3090 has a higher score than a single one. By the way, we can not find an official benchmark on RTX 5090 with Octane Render. However, because of the latest version that NVIDIA released, I believe RTX 5090 is a GPU worth considering for your project.

Also, Octane Render scales well with multiple GPUs, meaning you can combine different NVIDIA cards for faster performance. A dual RTX 4090 setup can outperform even a single high-end workstation GPU, making it a great investment for studios.

And please note that in a multi-GPU configuration, the VRAM doesn’t compound. This means that all GPUs in the setup must be able to hold the entire scene’s data in VRAM. If the scene is too large for the GPU with the least VRAM, it will not render correctly. For example, with an RTX 4080 (16GB VRAM) and RTX 4090 (24GB VRAM) in the same system, the scene must fit into 16GB of VRAM, which could be restrictive for large-scale, memory-intensive scenes.

As we see on the chart, at the peak, with 7 x RTX 4090s, we end up with a 6.9x higher performance than a single RTX 4090. It’s almost linear. That is about as good as you can ask for and really shows off how well OctaneRender can take advantage of multi-GPU configurations.

If you’re working with OctaneRender and looking to cut down your rendering time, iRender is the perfect solution. iRender is a high-performance cloud rendering platform optimized for GPU rendering. It allows artists and studios to harness the full power of multiple GPUs, significantly speeding up Octane rendering tasks.

With support for powerful GPU configurations (up to 8x RTX 4090), iRender gives you the flexibility to scale your workflow and handle even the most complex scenes with ease. 

Let’s watch our video testing the RTX 4090 & 3090 Multi-GPU Performance Test for C4D & Octane!

Currently, iRender offers a special promotion for new users, a 100% bonus program for the first deposit within 24 hours of registration. Just register and get our best deal now!

For more detailed information, please contact us via Live chat 24/7 or WhatsApp: +(84)915875500 or Email: vyvtk@irender.vn

iRender – Happy Rendering!

Are you wondering why your render engine isn’t utilizing your hardware to its full potential? Thinkbox Deadline might be the solution you need. Let’s explore how to use it.

Thinkbox Deadline is a powerful administration and compute management toolkit designed for render farms running on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It enables studios to distribute rendering tasks efficiently across multiple machines, whether locally or in the cloud. With Deadline, you can maximize the performance of your hardware and even leverage additional machines to accelerate rendering.

Compatible with nearly all 3D software and render engines, Thinkbox Deadline optimally distributes workloads across CPUs and GPUs, ensuring efficient resource utilization. Additionally, users can monitor and manage the rendering process through the Deadline Monitor.

Three main components of the Thinkbox Deadline System:

• Deadline Database – Stores jobs, settings, and worker configurations.
• Deadline Repository – Contains plugins, scripts, logs, and auxiliary files (such as scene files) submitted with jobs.
• Deadline Clients – Responsible for submitting, rendering, and monitoring jobs.

Key Terms to Know for Using Thinkbox Deadline

1. Worker (Previously Known as Slave Node)

A Worker Node is a computer assigned to process render jobs sent from Deadline Monitor. It handles rendering frames, simulations, or other computational tasks assigned by the render manager.

2. Job

A Job refers to a 3D project—such as a scene or video—that is submitted to Thinkbox Deadline for rendering. Deadline manages and controls the entire rendering process.

3. Task

A Job is divided into multiple Tasks, each of which is assigned to a specific Worker application for rendering. A Task can consist of a single frame or a sequence of frames. For example, when rendering an animation in 3ds Max where each frame requires hours to complete, each frame can be processed as an individual Task to speed up the workflow.

4. Job Scheduling

This is the process of distributing and managing render jobs across available Worker Nodes based on priority, resources, and specific rules. Once a job is submitted, the Job Scheduler determines:

• Which Worker Nodes will handle the job
• The number of frames or tasks assigned to each node
• The processing order of multiple jobs
• How CPU and GPU resources are allocated for optimal performance

To install Thinkbox Deadline, first log into your AWS account, navigate to the Thinkbox Deadline section, and select the desired version and operating system. Download the installation file onto your centralized server and render nodes, then extract the ZIP file to prepare for installation.

The Deadline Repository only needs to be installed on a single machine (ideally a server) to store job-related data. If the repository machine and render nodes are on different networks, you must use a VPN or Port Forwarding to allow access. Alternatively, you can host the Repository on a cloud server accessible to all client nodes.

To install the Repository, run the Deadline Repository installer and follow the setup wizard. Below are the steps for version 10.1.23.0:

1. Review and accept the End User License Agreement.
2. Choose the default repository folder or specify a custom location, ensuring full read and write access.
3. Select one of the following:
   • If Deadline is being installed for the first time, choose to install a new MongoDB database.
   • If MongoDB is already installed, connect to the existing database.
4. If installing MongoDB:
   • Opt to download MongoDB and accept the license agreement.
   • Proceed with the default installation settings.
   • The required MongoDB version will be downloaded and installed automatically.
5. Set a password for certificates (optional—you can leave it blank).
6. Secrets Management Setup: Create an admin user for the Secrets Manager.
7. The Repository files will be unpacked, installed, and configured.

Note: If updating an existing Repository, previous files and folders will be backed up automatically.

The Deadline Client will be installed on Workstations or Render Nodes. Double-click the installer and follow the setup wizard. Below are the steps for version 10.1.23.0:

1. Select Installation Type → Choose “Remote Connection Server” (This is required for using the Deadline AWS Portal).
2. Specify the Repository Directory → Enter the path where the Repository was installed (e.g., C:\DeadlineRepository10).
3. Configure Database TLS Certificates:
   • Click the icon next to Database TLS Certificates.
   • Navigate to Local Disk (C:) → DeadlineDatabase10 → certs.
   • Select Deadline10Client.pfx, then Right-click → Properties → Security.
   • Ensure the Deadline user has read and write permissions.
   • Open Deadline10Client.pfx.
4. Enter the Certificate Password (set in Step 1) → Click Next.
5. Assign Server Role → Click Next.
6. Create a Deadline Admin User → Save the username and password for future use → Click Next.
7. If using a service account, enable Launcher as a Service; otherwise, click Next.
8. Configure HTTPS Server Settings → Create a password (needed for connecting to the Remote Connection Server) → Click Next.

The installation files will be prepared, extracted, and installed.

The Deadline Monitor serves as the primary interface for overseeing render jobs, managing machines, and configuring settings. Follow these steps to connect:

1. Open Deadline Launcher on the render node.
2. Click Launch Worker to activate the Deadline Worker.
3. On any machine, open Deadline Monitor.
4. Enable Super User Mode (located in the bottom-right corner).
5. Go to the Workers panel and verify the status of the client node:
   • Idle – The node is ready to receive jobs.
   • Rendering – The node is actively processing a job.
   • Stalled – There is a connection issue (check network settings).

To submit render jobs from 3D software like Maya, 3ds Max, Houdini, or Blender to Thinkbox Deadline, you need to install the Submission Plugin.

• In some Deadline versions, the submission script is automatically installed during the Deadline Client setup.
• In other versions, manual installation is required. You can install it on any machine, such as an artist’s workstation.

How to Install the Submission Plugin Manually:

1. Access the Repository folder (e.g., DeadlineRepository10).
2. Navigate to the Submission directory and find the folder for your 3D software.
3. Double-click the Installer to begin installation.

1. Open your 3D software on your workstation.
2. Load your scene and select your render engine (e.g., Arnold, V-Ray, Redshift).
3. Configure the render settings, including frame range, resolution, and output path.
4. Go to the Deadline tab and click Submit Job to Deadline.
5. Monitor the render progress using the Deadline Monitor.

If you’re looking to render your Houdini project using Thinkbox Deadline, refer to this article for installation instructions and this one for optimization tips.

iRender provide high-configuration machines with upmarket specifications like AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4.5GHz, 1/2/4/6/8 x RTX4090 or RTX3090,  RAM 256GB, Storage NVMe SSD 2TB.

Why can iRender be a great render farm for you?

In addition to high-configuration servers, iRender provides many other utilities to provide the best user experience.

• Dedicated server for individuals: You have full control and access to the server you rent. The working environment (installed apps, files) will be stored for the next use.
• Easy and free file transfer between your computer and iRender’s server: The transferring task can be done via iRender GPU application for Windows and the iRender Drive application for MacOS.
• 24/7 assistance: iRender’s attentive agents are always ready to support all your queries.
• All software compatibility: iRender’s PCs are built to meet the configuration needs of all 3D software and rendering tools at a variety of cost levels for users to choose from.

Let’s see how fast iRender’s nodes work!

New users will get a 100% bonus for the first transaction within 24 hours of their registration. No minimum amount!! If you top up 50$, you will get 100 points in total to hire our machines.

REGISTER NOW

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me through email duongdt@irender.vn or our 24/7 support team for a quick response.

Thank you for reading

Image and information source: AWS Thinkbox, thinkboxsoftware

Realistic lighting is one of the most critical aspects of creating immersive and visually stunning 3D graphics. Achieving a realistic interplay of light and shadow can distinguish a picture from being genuine in video games, computer-generated imagery (CGI) movies, and architectural visualization. Ambient Occlusion (AO) and Global Illumination (GI) are two crucial methods that support this realism.

In this article, we’ll explore how GI and AO work, their differences, and how they complement each other in 3D rendering. Let’s dive deeper into it with iRender!

A basic lighting approach called Global Illumination replicates how light interacts with real-world things in a digital setting.  In order to produce more lifelike virtual environments, global illumination (GI) enables light to bounce, refract, and diffuse across a scene. 

• • • When light hits a surface, part of it is absorbed while the rest is reflected, illuminating nearby surfaces.
    • This process creates effects like color bleeding (where colors from one object reflect onto another) and soft shadows (caused by indirect lighting).

• Sunlight in a Room: When sunlight enters through a window, it doesn’t just light up the floor directly; it also bounces off walls, furniture, and other surfaces, softly illuminating the entire room.
• Color Reflection on Walls: If you place a red object near a white wall, you might notice a faint red tint on the wall. This happens because light bounces off the red object and carries some of its color.
• Soft Shadows Under a Tree: On a sunny day, the shadows under a tree aren’t completely black. Light bounces off the ground, leaves, and sky, filling in some of the darkness with soft, natural lighting.

• Radiosity: Computes diffuse interreflections by dividing a scene into smaller elements and distributing light energy.
• Photon Mapping: This method simulates the journey of photons (light particles) through a scene. Emitted from light sources, photons bounce around and interact with surfaces.
• Ray Tracing (Path Tracing): Shoots rays from the camera to simulate light bouncing in a realistic way.

Ambient Occlusion (AO) is a shading technique that enhances contrast and depth by darkening areas where ambient light is blocked, such as crevices and object intersections. Unlike GI, AO does not simulate real light behavior but helps create a more realistic perception of depth.

• AO calculates how much ambient light reaches a surface. Areas in tight spaces receive less light and appear darker.
• This effect improves realism by adding subtle shadows in occluded areas.

• Corners of a Room: In a naturally lit room, the corners where two walls meet often appear darker than the middle of the walls because less indirect light reaches these areas.
• Underneath Furniture: The area under a table or sofa is usually darker than the surroundings, even in a well-lit room.
• Folds in Fabric & Clothing: In real life, the creases in a shirt or folds in curtains appear darker because they trap ambient light. AO enhances these small details in character models and fabric simulations.

• Screen Space Ambient Occlusion (SSAO): Uses depth buffer data to approximate AO in real-time.
• Ray-Traced Ambient Occlusion (RTAO): Uses ray tracing for more accurate AO calculations.

• Both of these techniques are used to enhance realism and create the natural feeling of lighting in a 3D scene. Without AO or GI, the scene would look flat and lack depth.
• Both affect shadows. AO helps darken occluded areas to create soft local shadows, and GI allows handling indirect lighting, creating more natural soft shadows.
• Combine them for better effects. AO does not replace GI but can be used as a supplement to enhance contrast.

Although they both improve realism in 3D graphics, Ambient Occlusion (AO) and Global Illumination (GI) have different uses.  By calculating indirect light bounces, GI replicates real-world lighting, producing accurate color bleeding and soft, lifelike shadows.  AO, on the other hand, improves shading by darkening regions like corners and creases where light is obstructed, rather than mimicking real light.  

While AO is lightweight and frequently used in games and lightweight 3D models to provide depth without incurring excessive computational costs, GI’s complexity has a significant performance impact, making it perfect for movies, architectural visualization, and AAA games.

Global Illumination (GI) simulates how light bounces off surfaces, creating soft, natural lighting that reacts dynamically with the environment. This technique enhances realism by capturing the indirect light that illuminates shadowed areas, much like how light behaves in the real world.

On the other hand, Ambient Occlusion (AO) is a shading method that darkens areas where light struggles to reach, such as corners, crevices, and under objects. While it doesn’t simulate light bouncing, AO helps to enhance depth perception by emphasizing soft shadows in occluded areas.

Both Global Illumination and Ambient Occlusion play crucial roles in creating realistic 3D scenes. While GI is essential for simulating light behavior, AO is a valuable addition for enhancing shadows and depth. The combination of both techniques—especially with modern GPU acceleration—allows for highly immersive visuals in games and CGI.

Both Global Illumination (GI) and Ambient Occlusion (AO) play an important role in creating realistic images in 3D graphics. Despite their differences in functionality, these two techniques are often used together to optimize image quality while ensuring performance.

However, calculating GI and AO, especially when using Path Tracing or Ray-Traced AO, requires powerful hardware with high processing performance. This is where iRender becomes an ideal solution. With a powerful GPU system on the cloud computing platform, iRender helps 3D artists, architects and game developers render faster, optimizing time and costs.

Most of the 3D graphics software today support AO and GI, such as Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Unreal Engine… iRender offers the most powerful RTX 4090 configuration packages on the market, all equipped with AMD RyzenTM ThreadripperTM PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz and AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4.5GHz processors, 256GB RAM and 2TB NVMe SSD storage. With a variety of GPU servers (1/2/4/6/8x) – RTX 4090, you can choose the server that suits your needs to start the rendering process.

Not only powerful configurations, iRender also provides you with more services. NVLink for large scenes that need a lot of VRAM, now available on our 4N – dual RTX 3090 package. Free and convenient transfer tool iRender drive for macOS and Linux users. For Windows users, we recommend the iRender GPU application, you will not need to access our website anymore. The prices at iRender are also very flexible with hourly rental (pay as you use), daily/weekly/monthly rental with 10-20% discount. In addition, you will have 24/7 support from our team who will help you whenever you have problems with the service.

Let’s watch videos we tested with Unreal Engine, Cycles and Redshift on 8S server (6xRTX 4090).

Currently, iRender offers a special promotion for new users, a 100% bonus program for the first deposit within 24 hours of registration. Just register and get our best deal now!

For more detailed information, please contact us via Live chat 24/7 or WhatsApp: +(84)915875500 or Email: vyvtk@irender.vn

iRender – Happy Rendering!

In 2024, VMDO’s project proudly received three AIA Architecture Awards. Let’s explore how SketchUp played a role in this success.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) presents various awards to recognize exceptional achievements in architecture, aiming to promote design excellence and enhance public appreciation of architecture’s value.

The AIA National Architecture Awards welcomes a diverse range of architectural projects, regardless of scale, function, or type. To qualify, projects must exemplify outstanding design and align with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. Submissions can feature new constructions or renovations worldwide, provided they were designed by U.S.-licensed architects and completed at least one year before the submission deadline.

The George Washington University’s Thurston Residence Hall Renovation, designed by VMDO, was honored with three prestigious AIA awards:

• AIA National Architecture Award – Recognizing excellence in new buildings, renovations, and historic preservation.
• AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top 10 Award – Celebrating the most sustainable and energy-efficient projects.
• AIA National Housing Award – Acknowledging outstanding residential architecture, including single-family homes, multi-family housing, and affordable housing.

Detailed evaluations for each category can be found on the AIA website. Below are the key design elements that contributed to the project’s recognition.

Originally, Thurston Residence Hall featured a windowless, high-rise structure with dense corridors and an unutilized central light well. As a result, students lived and studied in an environment with minimal natural light, limited communal spaces, and restricted social interaction, with common areas only available in the basement and first floor.

The renovation successfully adhered to Washington, DC’s historic preservation codes by maintaining the building’s exterior while remarkably transforming its interior. From the street, the building appears unchanged, creating the impression that its modern interior is a hidden gem within the historic structure.

A significant design improvement involved carving away a portion of the South building to introduce a vibrant courtyard. This outdoor space features tiered seating areas and greenery cascading down to the entry level, offering students a serene setting for learning, socializing, and relaxation. Additionally, the modification enhances natural light penetration, converting the once-dark light well into a bright and inviting courtyard.

The AIA jury praised the renovation as an exemplary adaptive reuse project, highlighting its holistic approach to student well-being and social interaction. The seamless integration of historic elements with contemporary materials showcases a thoughtful approach to placemaking, setting a new standard for campus living.

Andres A. Pacheco, the lead designer behind the AIA Architecture award-winning GW Thurston Hall project, attributes much of his success to his design process, where SketchUp played a crucial role. He used SketchUp as both an iterative and presentation tool to bring his creative ideas to life.

Pacheco and his team leveraged SketchUp to develop and visualize their design in 3D. He highlighted how SketchUp presents designs as fully realized structures rather than mere drawings. With the Thurston Hall project, he was able to demonstrate how natural light would filter into the courtyard using SketchUp’s shadow simulation feature.

He also praised SketchUp for its powerful presentation capabilities, allowing for real-time design modifications based on client feedback. His team saved significant time by presenting directly within SketchUp rather than exporting images or formatting PowerPoint slides. According to Pacheco, SketchUp’s flexibility and real-time collaboration features helped VMDO engage clients more effectively, streamlining and enhancing the overall design process.

Beyond Pacheco’s experience, many architects rely on SketchUp for its numerous advantages, including:

💡 Ease of Use
With its intuitive and user-friendly interface, SketchUp is widely embraced by beginners and non-technical users. Its simple tools and shortcuts enable architects to start creating 3D models quickly without extensive training.

💡 Visualization & Presentation
SketchUp offers a range of features that enhance design visualization, such as shadow and lighting effects, as well as a vast library of pre-built 3D models, textures, and styles.

💡 Access to SketchUp Warehouse
Users can explore a rich collection of furniture, objects, and components that can be easily integrated into their designs. This extensive online library also serves as a valuable resource for gathering design references and inspiration.

💡 Real-Time Design Changes
As Pacheco noted, SketchUp allows instant design alterations, making it especially useful in the early stages of a project by saving time and improving workflow efficiency.

💡 Affordability
SketchUp offers both free and paid versions. Beginners can start with SketchUp Make before upgrading to SketchUp Pro to access advanced features.

💡 Integration with Other Software
SketchUp integrates with various programs through file imports, plugins, and APIs, enabling users to incorporate it into different workflows, including BIM tools like Revit and rendering software such as Lumion.

By providing a dynamic and flexible design environment, SketchUp has become an indispensable tool for architects, contributing significantly to the success of projects like GW Thurston Hall with AIA Architecture Awards.

iRender provides private high-configuration machines with upmarket specifications that excel in rendering, like AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4.5GHz, 1/2/4/6/8 x RTX4090 or RTX3090,  RAM 256GB, Storage NVMe SSD 2TB.

Why can iRender be a great render farm for you?

In addition to high-configuration servers, iRender provides many other utilities to provide the best user experience.

• Dedicated server for individuals: You have full control and access to the server you rent. The working environment (installed apps, files) will be stored for the next use.
• Easy and free file transfer between your computer and iRender’s server: The transferring task can be done via iRender GPU application for Windows and the iRender Drive application for MacOS.
• 24/7 assistance: iRender’s attentive agents are always ready to support all your queries.
• All software compatibility: iRender’s PCs are built to meet the configuration needs of all 3D software and rendering tools at a variety of cost levels for users to choose from.

Let’s see how iRender’s machines work!

New users will get a 100% bonus for the first transaction within 24 hours of their registration. No minimum amount!! If you top up 50$, you will get 100 points in total to hire our machines.

REGISTER NOW

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me through email duongdt@irender.vn or our 24/7 support team for a quick response.

Thank you for reading

Source of images and information: SketchUp, VMDO, AIA, Archpaper, SketchUpguru, Guora, GW Today

In 3D character modeling, the fusion of traditional folklore with cutting-edge technology often yields captivating results. A prime example is the recent creation of a Japanese-style Oni demon by character artist Timothe Fontaine, renowned for his contributions to the horror game “Dead by Daylight.” Drawing inspiration from Japanese mythology, Fontaine’s Oni demon is a testament to the power of modern 3D modeling tools and the timeless allure of cultural legends. In this blog post, let’s explore with iRender.

The Oni demon, a staple of Japanese folklore, is typically depicted as a fearsome creature with sharp claws, wild hair, and a menacing visage. Fontaine’s rendition stays true to these traditional elements while incorporating his unique artistic vision. To bring the demon to life, he utilized a suite of industry-standard software:

• ZBrush: For intricate sculpting and detailing, allowing for the creation of the demon’s complex anatomy and textured skin.
• Substance 3D Painter: To apply realistic textures and materials, giving the demon’s skin, armor, and accessories a lifelike appearance.
• Maya: Employed for rigging and posing, ensuring the model’s movements are both natural and suitably intimidating.
• Arnold: Used as the rendering engine to produce high-quality images that showcase the demon in various lighting scenarios.
• XGen: For generating detailed hair and fur, adding to the creature’s wild and untamed look.
  

One of the more challenging aspects of the project was the creation of the demon’s hair using XGen. Fontaine documented his process in a detailed guide titled “60 Crashes Later – Learning XGen the Hard Way,” highlighting both the challenges faced and the solutions discovered during the hair creation process. This guide serves as a valuable resource for other artists navigating similar challenges.

Beyond the technical execution, Fontaine enriched his creation with a backstory, deepening the connection between the viewer and the character:

“The Nameless Oni was once a powerful demon, born of the shadows and bound by the will of the gods. His third arm, a grotesque and unnatural gift, marked him as different from his kin. Feared and shunned by other oni, he was cast into isolation, his twisted form a symbol of his disgrace. Consumed by his anger and frustration, he turned his wrath on his kind, slaughtering those who had mocked him. Now, the land lies silent, the last of the oni extinguished, and the Nameless Oni roams alone, a forgotten demon, cursed to bear the weight of his rage and the burden of his solitude.”

This narrative not only adds depth to the visual representation but also invites viewers to ponder the demon’s past and motivations.

Fontaine’s work exemplifies how blending traditional cultural elements with modern technology can result in compelling art that resonates with contemporary audiences while honoring historical mythologies.

Timothe Fontaine’s Japanese-style Oni demon is a stunning example of how modern 3D tools can bring ancient mythology to life. By combining ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter, Maya, Arnold, and XGen, he meticulously crafted a creature that stays true to traditional Oni depictions while adding his own unique artistic flair.

Beyond the technical execution, the demon’s backstory adds depth, making it more than just a digital sculpture—it becomes a character with history, emotion, and presence. Fontaine’s work showcases the power of storytelling through digital art, proving that technology and folklore can seamlessly merge to create something truly captivating.

This project serves as an inspiration for 3D artists, demonstrating that with the right tools, patience, and creativity, it’s possible to transform imagination into reality.

iRender is proud to be one of the best GPU service providers on the market. We provide you with high-configuration models with advanced specifications such as AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4, 5GHz, 256GB RAM, 2TB NVMe SSD storage. Most importantly, we always update to the latest GPU technology, with 1/2/4/6/8 x RTX3090/RTX4090.

Under the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) model you will have full control over the machine via a remote desktop app, similar to Teamviewer but more stable. You will be able to proactively install the software and use it on the server just like using a personal computer. You can find many server packages with high-end configurations that are extremely suitable for complex projects.

Below is information about iRender’s service packages:

We’re always happy to help you with any questions. If you have any problems or questions, don’t hesitate to contact our 24/7 support team. Or via Whatsapp: 0912 785 500 for free advice and support.

Right now iRender has a SPECIAL PROMOTION program with a 100% bonus for the first transaction within 24 hours of your registration. It means that you can get an extra 100% of the money you recharged the first time. And points never expire, so you can use them at any time.

As we welcome the arrival of spring, iRender is excited to bring you special promotions and offers to help you bloom this season! 🌷

🎁 50% BONUS for all transactions from $1500
🎁 100% BONUS for all transactions from $3000
⏰ From March 10th to March 31st

Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your ideas into stunning renderings. Let’s Spring Forward together! 🌼
________

Sign up for an account today to experience and enjoy our services.

Thank you & Happy Rendering!

Source and image: 80.lv

The game environment modeling plays a crucial role in making the game feel immersive and enjoyable to explore. Below is essential information to consider when creating a game environment.

A 2D game environment involves designing flat settings with two-dimensional objects, terrains, and other elements. These models have only height and width, without any depth. Compared to 3D modeling, 2D environments are easier to create and require less computational power for rendering. This type of environment is widely used in genres like platformers and classic arcade games.

A 3D game environment expands on the 2D concept by adding depth, making objects, terrain, and characters three-dimensional. This enhances immersion and interactivity, allowing for realistic movements, dynamic lighting, shadows, and exploration from various perspectives. There are two main types of 3D game environments: low-poly and high-poly.

A low-poly game environment consists of models with a limited number of polygons, typically around 300. Since fewer polygons are used, the visuals appear simplified and less detailed. However, this approach reduces the time and effort required for design and rendering. Common tools for creating low-poly models include Blender and Autodesk Maya.

In contrast, a high-poly game environment prioritizes realism, utilizing a high number of polygons. As a result, the design and rendering process demands significant time and effort. Popular software for high-poly modeling includes Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, and ZBrush, which provide tools for sculpting, texturing, and animating. High-poly environments are commonly seen in AAA games and virtual reality, requiring powerful hardware to run smoothly.

When developing games for PC, the focus is on delivering a realistic and immersive experience. To achieve high visual quality, a high-poly game environment is recommended. Additionally, optimizing lighting, transitions, and asset selection is essential for enhancing the environment and supporting the game’s storyline. Unity and Unreal Engine are the preferred software for creating high-end graphics and performance-driven games.

Console games are designed for smaller screens and handheld gaming, prioritizing accessibility and engagement over ultra-realistic visuals. As a result, game environments typically strike a balance between high-poly and low-poly models. Developers use specialized development kits provided by console manufacturers to optimize the environment for specific gaming consoles.

For mobile gaming, intricate environmental details are less of a priority due to smaller screen sizes. However, a minimalist approach and low-poly designs can still produce impressive visuals. Unity and Unreal Engine are commonly used for developing mobile games, ensuring efficient performance while maintaining a visually appealing environment.

At this stage, the foundational idea of the game environment is developed, including the chosen setting, theme, and overall mood. Collecting a variety of references helps visualize the details of the scene and effectively convey the desired atmosphere through art. These references can include environmental concept art, similar game designs, or real-life images and videos.

Once sufficient research has been conducted and a clear vision is established, the next step is greyboxing the environment. This involves placing simple shapes in a 3D space to map out the game’s structure and how players will experience it before investing time in detailed assets. This method helps identify potential layout issues early on and allows for easier adjustments compared to modifying high-quality models later in the process.

At this stage, additional details are incorporated into the basic shapes, such as architectural features or natural elements. Various 3D modeling tools can be used to create game objects, with Unity and Blender being recommended options.

Texturing is essential for making models appear more realistic and visually engaging. This step involves adding colors and details to simulate real-world materials like wood, metal, or stone. A common mistake is overusing the same texture, which can make the scene feel repetitive and dull. To keep the environment visually interesting, consider varying or modifying textures.

Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood and improving visibility within the game environment. It’s important to ensure that lighting enhances the scene without overwhelming it. Well-placed lighting can significantly enhance the environment’s appearance and direct players’ attention to key areas, while poor lighting may negatively impact gameplay by making important elements difficult to see.

Since different platforms require varying levels of graphical quality, optimizing the game environment is essential to ensure compatibility. Optimization involves reducing polygon counts where possible and using smaller texture files in areas where high detail isn’t necessary, all while maintaining a visually appealing and smooth-running experience.

For heavy scenes like high-poly game environments, not only modeling but also rendering is time-intensive. iRender can help you shorten the render time by our high-configuration machines with upmarket specifications like AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4.5GHz, 1/2/4/6/8 x RTX4090 or RTX3090,  RAM 256GB, Storage NVMe SSD 2TB.

Why can iRender be a great render farm for you?

In addition to high-configuration servers, iRender provides many other utilities to provide the best user experience.

• Dedicated server for individuals: You have full control and access to the server you rent. The working environment (installed apps, files) will be stored for the next use.
• Easy and free file transfer between your computer and iRender’s server: The transferring task can be done via iRender GPU application for Windows and the iRender Drive application for MacOS.
• 24/7 assistance: iRender’s attentive agents are always ready to support all your queries.
• All software compatibility: iRender’s PCs are built to meet the configuration needs of all 3D software and rendering tools at a variety of cost levels for users to choose from.

Let’s see how iRender’s machines work!

New users will get a 100% bonus for the first transaction within 24 hours of their registration. No minimum amount!! If you top up 50$, you will get 100 points in total to hire our machines.

REGISTER NOW

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me through email duongdt@irender.vn or our 24/7 support team for a quick response.

Thank you for reading

Information source: Retro Style Games, 300 mind, Roblox

Image source: 300 mind, Retro Style Games, 80 level, Red Bull, Tech Advisor, The Michigan Daily, Pubg