# Prerequisites > [!danger] Never render final right away > Always follow this order: > 1. **FML** — First, Middle, Last frame at full resolution > 2. **1/4 resolution** — full frame range > 3. **Final** — full resolution, full frame range > > This catches errors early, avoids heavy re-renders, and gives you an accurate per-frame timing estimate. ## Scene Cleanliness Submitting a dirty scene can temporarily degrade network performance for the whole farm. Before submitting: - ==Avoid loading large files directly== — prefer pre-rendered frame sequences over live USD evaluation where possible. - A clean USD render scene should look like this — a chain of **sublayers only**, importing USD layers. Never build or modify environment/FX inside the main render tree. - ![[image-158.png]] - ==Everything must be linked to the server== — textures, scene files, and render output. (`/altblade/...`) - Send a clean scene: clean geometry, mip-mapped textures, correct render settings. --- # Submission Steps ## 1. Save Your Scene to the Server Save your Houdini scene to the project folder on the server (`Y:/altblade`). Work inside a project structure and create a dedicated render output folder. ![[image-159.png]] In the render settings, set **Output Pictures** to point to your render folder on the server. **Save the scene.** ![[image-160.png|495x444]] ## 2. Name the USD Render ROP Give your USD Render ROP a clear, structured name and copy it — you'll need it for the Render Node field in Deadline. ``` sqXXXX_shXXXX_layer_vXXXX XXX_assetType_assetName_department_vXXXX ``` ![[image-161.png]] ## 3. Open the Deadline Monitor Go to **Submit → 3D → Houdini** ![[Screenshot 2026-02-02 115733.png]] ## 4. Fill in Submission Settings ### Job Name > [!warning] Jobs not following the naming convention will be deleted. ``` XXX_sqXXXX_shXXXX_renderLayer_vXXXX Example: FST_sq0010_sh0010_chara_v0001 XXX_assetType_assetName_department_vXXXX Example: FST_env_treeOak_lookdev_v0001 ``` ### Pool | Field | Value | Notes | | -------------- | ------------ | ---------------------------------- | | **Pool** | `altProject` | Renders on all available machines | | **Group** | `ram_64` or blank | Only set if you need 64 GB+ machines specifically | ### Priority > [!warning] Anything above priority 50 will be killed. | Priority | Use Case | Example | | -------- | ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | | 10 | Debugging / personal project | Testing a broken render or personal frames | | 20 | Low priority experiments | Look-dev, previs, turntable | | 40 | Nuke / Denoise / FML / 1/4 res | | | **50** | **Final render** | **Regular render passes** | ### Task Timeout ==Set to **120 minutes**.== Any frame exceeding 2 hours will be automatically killed. ### Houdini File Select your Houdini scene file from the server. ### Render Node If rendering from the Stage context: ``` /stage/[name of your USD Render ROP node] Example: /stage/sq0000_sh0000_chara_v0001 ``` ### Frame List | Format | Meaning | | -------------- | ----------------------------- | | `1001-1010` | Frames 1001 through 1010 | | `1001, 1010` | Only frames 1001 and 1010 | ### Frames Per Task ==Set to **1**.== One frame per machine. ## 5. Confirm and Submit Your submission should look like this before hitting Submit: ![[image-164.png|458x625]] Once submitted, your job will appear in the Monitor: ![[image-162.png]] --- # Monitoring > [!tip] Keep the Monitor closed when not actively checking — it consumes resources. To check render progress: 1. Select your job in the Monitor. 2. Double-click a task to open it. - ![[image-163.png]] 3. Click any task report to read the log and diagnose issues. > [!note] Keeping machines available overnight > When leaving for the evening, **sign out** of your machine rather than shutting it down, so it remains available to the farm.