Estimating render time

[PorcupineFloyd]

Would it be possible to view estimated render time in the render window?
It would be nice to have some approximations so we could use them to set timer on programs like "PowerOFF". I usually set PowerOFF on hibernate after few hours but it's hard to estimate rendering time if dealing with 3000 x 2000 pixels render and I believe that calculating it inside the software would be more precise.

Alternatively an option in Terragen to hibernate the PC after render completes (with automatic saving perhaps?).

[rcallicotte]

This has been asked before and it's not possible to estimate accurately.

Would it be possible to view estimated render time in the render window?

[PorcupineFloyd]

I know that it's impossible to estimate it accurately but at last it should be possible to give an approximation which should be more precise than simple guessing.
And if it's a bad idea considering benefits to trouble while programming it, what about automating saving images and shutting down the PC instead?

[neuspadrin]

I think it's possible to create a batch script to shutdown the computer once tg is done rendering a given file.  It would be nice to have it also as a feature within the program to choose (after render: save and shutdown/sleep, just save, or do nothing).

[rcallicotte]

Should we get into a discussion about the effect of turning a PC on and off versus leaving it on?   

[cyphyr]

You could try to get a rough idea from doing a small (320 x 240) render with the same detail/AA/GI etc settings as your final and multiply up by the number of times your small render fits into your larger final render. So in the above example you would multiply the time by 4 to get to a 640 x 480 sized render. NOT by any means accurate but it might be a start.
richard

[PorcupineFloyd]

You could try to get a rough idea from doing a small (320 x 240) render with the same detail/AA/GI etc settings as your final and multiply up by the number of times your small render fits into your larger final render. So in the above example you would multiply the time by 4 to get to a 640 x 480 sized render. NOT by any means accurate but it might be a start.
richard

That should do the trick, together with adding let's say 10% of error.

[cyphyr]

Just tested using Oshyan's new benchmark, 320 x 240 rendered in 4 min exactly and my benchmark for the default render (640 x 480 same settings) was 16 min 5 sec so not too bad a test. Pretty sure there will be other things effecting  total render time but its a usable start
richard

[Goms]

i just tried something.
You can get a good idea about the render time if you do lets say 10 renders with images from 10.000 to 100.000 pixel.
With the average of the render time increase (at my test 2.9) i could calculate the bigger image very close (360.000 pixel; my tip was 1.45, it was 1.44).
I gonna test it more this evening.

[neuspadrin]

batch file with:

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"C:\Program Files\Planetside Software\Terragen 2 Deep Edition (Beta)\tgdcli.exe" -p %1 -hide -exit -r -o %2.bmp
shutdown -s
change the path to the tgdcli depending on version/where installed.  other options -r for restart, -l for log off, etc.  This might not work depending on version of windows you run.

to run the batch file, it would look like this.

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path/to/batch.bat "path/to/project.tgd" outputname


so, if in the batch folder already (my terragen stuff folder) command for me would look like:
shutdownbatch.bat "projects/scene.tgd" myrender

when done, my computer shuts down.  when i bring it back up, i navigate to the output which renders to the folder.

[PG]

One thing to consider is that if Planetside did implement a shutdown on completion they would also have to implement an automatic save and select a format for you, otherwise the whole thing'd be a waste of time.

[rcallicotte]

After hearing PG's observation, I'd say this probably won't happen before release. 

[Matt]

Use neuspadrin's instructions

(Second time this week I've said that!)

Matt

[PorcupineFloyd]

Hey, thanks

I'll test it soon

[neuspadrin]

i'm just all knowing

you can get more info on the command line options in the Docs folder where TG2 is installed, gives info on how to use it. 

if you need any more help or instructions with the batch feel free to ask.