Network Rendering: Distributed Rendering

Distributed network rendering splits the video into segments that are rendered by multiple computers. In this mode, each computer renders a portion of the project, and the rendered sections are then reassembled into a single file by the one computer (called the stitch host).

Distributed rendering is a good way to reduce the time it takes to render a project containing a significant amount of processed video (video effects, transitions, panning/cropping, track motion, and compositing). However, distributed rendering requires increased disk space and network traffic because each segment must be saved before the final output file can be generated.

Nontemporal video output formats, such as DV or uncompressed AVI, are also well suited for distributed network rendering because segments can be reassembled without re-encoding. When using temporal compression, segments are rendered in an uncompressed or nontemporal format, and temporal compression is applied during the stitching stage.

Before rendering, ensure all codecs, third-party video effects, and fonts used for generated media in your project are installed on all computers.

In order to use network rendering with nested projects, the nested project must contain only media from folders that do not require remapping. Before nesting your Vegas project, update the project so that all media in the project is added from a network folder or a local, shared folder that is mapped to the same drive letter on all renderers and the render host.

From the File menu, choose Render As.
Use the Render As dialog to choose the file format and location where you want to save your file. The location of the output file must be in a shared folder.
Select the Render using networked computers check box in the Render As dialog, and then click the Save button. The Network Render dialog is displayed.
Select the Distribute Rendering check box in the Network Render dialog.
From the Stitch Host drop-down list, choose the computer you want to use to assemble the rendered segments.
Select the Use Final Render Template check box if you want to render segments using the format you chose for your final output in the Render As dialog.

Use this option when you're working with uncompressed or DV files. In this case, using the final rendering template for rendered segments makes the final stitching process fast because the segments can be copied and assembled without being re-encoded. You'll also conserve disk space and reduce network traffic.

Note that using lossy compression for your rendered segments will produce lower-quality video than using an uncompressed or YUV template because the stitching process will need to re-encode the final stream from the compressed segments.

You can render segments as MPEG-2 only in the following cases:

If you're running multiple instances of the render service on your editing computer and no other instances of the render service are running with the same serial number.
Vegas software is installed with a unique serial number on each computer (editing computer and renderers).
Vegas software is installed with a site license serial number on each computer.

Clear the Use Final Render Template check box and choose settings from the Save as Type and Template drop-down lists if you want to render segments using a format other than your final output format. Use the Render As dialog if you need to create custom templates.

Use this option when you're rendering to a format that uses temporal compression, such as MPEG, QuickTime, RealMedia, or Windows Media. Rendering segments as uncompressed or DV AVI files allows transitions and composited tracks to be rendered in a high-quality format. When the segments are stitched, the project is re-encoded using the format you chose for your final output in the Render As dialog.

If you create custom rendering templates for rendering segments, clearing the Include Audio check box for the template will help conserve disk space.

The Temporary Files Location box displays the path to the folder where the temporary .veg project and rendered segments will be saved. If you want to use a folder other than the output folder you chose in step 2, you can choose a folder from the drop-down list or click the Browse button to choose a folder.

This folder must be in a shared location.

Choosing a folder other than the final output folder can help improve performance during the stitching phase when you render a project with uncompressed segments.

Click OK to start rendering.

Before network rendering begins, a copy of your project will be saved in the shared output folder (see Step 2) for use by the renderers. This version will have all media paths remapped based on the Network Render Service file mappings.