Stories with Tag CGI

• SheepIt Render Farm server code goes open source

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  Posted: 2025-03-15 00:42:22

  Verbose tl;dr

  SheepIt, a distributed render farm utilizing idle processing power from volunteers' computers, has open-sourced its server-side code. This allows anyone to examine, modify, and potentially host their own private SheepIt render farm. Previously closed-source, this release provides transparency and fosters community involvement in the project's future development.

  The SheepIt Render Farm, a distributed rendering platform that harnesses the idle processing power of volunteer machines to complete Blender projects, has announced a significant development: the open-sourcing of its server-side code. This release grants developers and enthusiasts unprecedented access to the intricate inner workings of the SheepIt platform, allowing for examination, modification, and potential contributions to its functionality.

  Previously operating with proprietary server software, SheepIt's transition to open source represents a major shift towards community involvement and transparency. The source code, now hosted on GitLab, unveils the mechanisms behind various crucial aspects of the render farm, including job distribution, client communication, project management, and the overall coordination of the distributed rendering network. This allows for in-depth understanding of how SheepIt manages the complex task of distributing portions of Blender projects across a vast network of volunteer computers, collects the rendered frames, and assembles them into the final output. It also opens up avenues for customization and potential expansion of the platform’s capabilities.

  By open-sourcing its server code, SheepIt aims to foster a more collaborative environment around its platform. Developers can now actively participate in enhancing the render farm’s performance, stability, and feature set. This move has the potential to accelerate the development and evolution of SheepIt, benefiting both the community of volunteer contributors and the users who rely on its rendering services. The availability of the source code also enables greater scrutiny of the platform's security and operational efficiency, promoting trust and reliability within the community. Furthermore, it empowers individuals and organizations to potentially deploy their own private or customized versions of the SheepIt render farm, tailoring it to specific needs and environments. This open-source initiative positions SheepIt for greater flexibility, scalability, and long-term sustainability as a community-driven project.

  • SheepIt
  • Render Farm
  • Open Source
  • Server Code
  • GitLab
  • 3D Rendering
  • CGI
  • Distributed Computing
  • Blender

  Summary of Comments ( 19 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43368863

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters generally express enthusiasm for SheepIt's open-sourcing, viewing it as a positive move for the community and a potential boon for smaller studios or individuals needing render resources. Some express curiosity about the underlying technology and its scalability, with questions raised about database choices and handling large numbers of concurrent users. Concerns are voiced regarding potential abuse and the resources required to run a server, alongside a desire for more documentation. A few users share their positive experiences with SheepIt's rendering services, highlighting its ease of use and effectiveness. Others suggest improvements like a more robust client and better integration with existing pipelines. The overall sentiment is one of cautious optimism, acknowledging the project's potential while recognizing the challenges inherent in running a distributed render farm.

  The Hacker News post "SheepIt Render Farm server code goes open source" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43368863) has a modest number of comments, sparking a brief discussion about the project and distributed rendering in general.

  Several commenters express appreciation for open-sourcing the server code, viewing it as a positive move for the community and a potential boon for smaller studios or individuals interested in setting up their own render farms. One commenter highlights the potential educational value, suggesting it could serve as a good learning resource for those interested in distributed systems.

  Some discussion revolves around the technical aspects of the platform. One commenter inquires about the choice of Python and the framework used for the server, expressing a preference for Go and questioning the scalability of the chosen technology. Another commenter, seemingly affiliated with the project, responds by explaining their rationale for choosing Python and the specific framework (Flask), citing factors such as ease of development, existing libraries, and community support. They acknowledge potential scalability limitations but emphasize the current adequacy for their workload and the possibility of future optimization.

  There's a brief comparison to other render farm solutions, with one commenter mentioning Blender's built-in network render functionality and questioning SheepIt's advantages. Another commenter points out SheepIt's unique community-driven approach, where users contribute their computing resources to the network, contrasting it with commercial render farms or self-hosted solutions.

  One commenter raises a concern about potential security implications of running arbitrary code on volunteer machines, alluding to the possibility of malicious actors exploiting the system. While this concern isn't addressed directly by other commenters, it highlights an important consideration for distributed computing platforms like SheepIt.

  Overall, the comments generally show a positive reception towards the open-sourcing of SheepIt's server code. While some technical questions and concerns are raised, the discussion remains constructive and offers some insight into the project's architecture and the broader context of distributed rendering.

• Blender-made movie Flow takes Oscar

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  Posted: 2025-03-03 01:17:46

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  "Flow," an animated short film created using the open-source software Blender, won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the 2025 Academy Awards. This marks a significant milestone, being the first Oscar win for a film primarily produced using Blender. The film, directed by an unknown director, explores themes of environmentalism and the interconnectedness of nature as it tells the story of a plastic bottle's journey through a polluted waterway.

  In a remarkable triumph for open-source software and independent filmmaking, the animated feature film "Flow," meticulously crafted using the freely available 3D creation suite Blender, has been awarded the prestigious accolade of Best Animated Feature Film at the 2025 Academy Awards. This momentous victory, as reported by Reuters on March 3rd, 2025, signifies a watershed moment for the animation industry, demonstrating that high-caliber, award-winning cinematic experiences can be realized outside the confines of traditional, proprietary software ecosystems and without the backing of major studios. The film's success serves as a compelling testament to the power and potential of Blender, a community-driven project that offers professional-grade tools for modeling, animation, rendering, and more, entirely free of charge. "Flow's" Oscar win not only underscores the increasing accessibility of sophisticated animation technology but also highlights the growing recognition and validation of productions developed outside established studio pipelines. This achievement is poised to inspire a new generation of animators and filmmakers, empowering them to pursue their creative visions with readily available, open-source tools, potentially fostering a more diverse and democratized landscape within the animation industry. The implications of this victory extend beyond the individual achievement of "Flow," potentially signaling a paradigm shift in the way animated films are produced and perceived, opening up new avenues for independent creators and challenging the conventional dominance of large studios. The news of this win reverberates throughout the artistic and technological communities alike, underscoring the transformative potential of open-source software in the realm of creative expression.

  • Blender
  • Oscar
  • Animated Feature Film
  • Computer Animation
  • 3D Animation
  • filmmaking
  • independent film
  • Award Winning Film
  • flow
  • visual effects
  • CGI

  Summary of Comments ( 119 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43237273

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters were impressed with the technical achievement of Flow winning an Oscar, particularly given its creation using Blender, a free and open-source software. Several pointed out the democratizing effect this has on animation, making high-quality production more accessible. Some debated the film's artistic merits separately from its technical ones, with some finding it derivative of Pixar while others praised its unique style. A few commenters speculated on the future impact of this win, predicting an increase in Blender's adoption and potentially a shift in the animation industry towards more open-source tools. There was also discussion about the challenges of using Blender for large-scale productions, with some noting the need for robust pipeline tools and experienced users.

  The Hacker News post "Blender-made movie Flow takes Oscar" (linking to a Reuters article about the animated short film "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" winning the Oscar) has a modest number of comments, focusing on the significance of Blender's role in the film's creation.

  Several commenters celebrate Blender's increasing prominence in professional animation, highlighting it as a free and open-source success story. They point out that a major award like an Oscar validates Blender as a legitimate tool capable of producing high-quality work, potentially encouraging more studios and artists to adopt it. This is contrasted with proprietary software often seen as cost-prohibitive, especially for smaller studios or independent creators.

  Some comments delve into the technical aspects, mentioning specific Blender features or discussing the pipeline used in the film's production. One commenter mentions the impressive fur rendering, speculating about the techniques employed. Another highlights the film's unique visual style, emphasizing that it doesn't look like typical CGI, which they see as a positive.

  There's a discussion around the implications for the animation industry. Some believe this win could be a turning point, leading to wider Blender adoption and potentially disrupting the dominance of established commercial software. Others express cautious optimism, acknowledging the significance but suggesting it's too early to predict a major shift.

  A few commenters correct the title of the post, pointing out that the Oscar-winning film is "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse," not "Flow." They also clarify that while Blender was used extensively in the film's production, other tools were also likely involved. One commenter mentions the use of Apple hardware, specifically.

  Overall, the comments reflect a sense of excitement and pride within the Blender community and a broader recognition of the software's growing importance in the animation world. They express hope for increased accessibility and innovation within the industry thanks to open-source tools like Blender.