UNC changes

[Macer]

Hi, I've had backburner up and running with 6 pc's for some time now with no problems that I haven't managed to solve (with you help), until recently. When we upgraded to max 2008 I experimented with gamma correction (but thats another issue: http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/28806-gamma-backburner.html )

 

While trying to solve this problem I managed to set max to use unc paths. Previously I had all maps on a seperate server that all computers looked to (mapped as Y: drive) and it worked fine. After enabling unc the nodes could no longer find the maps (but my pc could?), resulting in me having to seperately re-point the location of each map, for every material in the model using the material editor, so that it got the correct prefix (unc path).

 

Once I got it set up it worked fine. But now I have opened several older files and the nodes can't find the maps (but my pc still can) unless I open each one in the material editor and re-assign the location using unc. This happpens whether or not 'use unc' is enabled in the preferences. I've even tried opening max again after resetting it, then opening the file, but the nodes still can't find the maps.

 

I really don't want to have to re-assign every single map of every older file that I open (especially as there are plans to change the server set-up shortly). Any ideas on what I can do? I'm sure theres probably some little check box somewhere that just needs a tick in it and all will be fine!

 

Thanks for your help.

[SandmanNinja]

weird

 

Some apps don't like UNC pathing. I would have thought a program as new as Max 2008 would have handled it well.

 

Seems like it's easier to go back to a y: drive mapping instead of re-pointing all of your materials.

 

Is that an option?

 

Is the network peer-to-peer or server-client? What is the server OS?

(just curious)

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

i am still mainly using max 9, so I can't directly address your issue, but perhaps offer some advice onhow to deal with the situation. ...you could try ticking the include all maps option when sendingto backburner. that would probably work. i personally don't like doing this because it takes time to send the file when including all the maps. the other recomendation is to use the asset tracking dialog when changing the mapping of your texture paths. it will be faster. you might also search google or one of the script sites for a script that will

 

allow you to simply replace part of the text of the pathname globally, and have it carry it out for every referenced texture. this would be the fastest, but it requires footwork to see if it is possible.

[Macer]

Thanks for the quick responses.

 

The network is sever-client with all os's using xp pro (32bit).

 

I don't seem to be able to go back to the y: drive mapping that worked fine before??!

 

I've tried using asset tracking to change all the maps to unc paths but it doesn't seem to do anything. If I right click on any (or all) maps, go to preferences and check it, the path doesn't change under the 'full paths' section. Is this how is should be done? Or is there something I'm getting wrong?

 

It only works after manually changing each map in the material editor?!

 

Looking into a script could be the way forward.

 

Thanks

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

I've tried using asset tracking to change all the maps to unc paths but it doesn't seem to do anything. If I right click on any (or all) maps, go to preferences and check it, the path doesn't change under the 'full paths' section. Is this how is should be done? Or is there something I'm getting wrong?

 

It should change under full path. You might need to do them one by one, or in groups by right clicking, and going to set path. there is also a right click retarget common root, which also might be helpful.

[Macer]

Found that if I select files in the asset tracker and right click 'resolve path to unc location' and then refresh, it seems to work.

 

Is there any reason why, if I have unc paths disabled under preferences, I can't render using the old y: drive system I used to have running?

 

Thanks again for your help.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

not sure without being present to troubleshoot.

[Macer]

Thanks for the help.

 

Even if I render sending the maps over back burner, it can't find them to send.

 

I guess its unc all the way from now on in!

 

So all of you wondering whether or not to try unc - If your set-up works ok as it is, don't bother. Once you change you can't go back!