Frequent crash when running plugin multiple times

On 02/02/2016 at 08:56, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I have a plugin that is, fundamentally, working. However, when I run it several times, sometimes it hangs (and creates a bugreport warning).

I don't know if I'm leaving something behind that is not freed correctly or what else could be causing this.

My plugin is as follows (and includes) :

- A modal dialog. Yes, I want it to be modal. I have to make sure that, when it is running, absolutely no changes can occur in the document.

- The model dialog includes a User Area.

- The User Area is refreshed by a Timer from the dialog.

- A button in the dialog triggers a User Thread that performs a cycle. Inside that cycle, I render several frames, using c4d.documents.RenderDocument

- Another button allows the abortion of the render. This is done through a global variable that is set to True if the Abort is pressed. And the rende(c4d.documents.RenderDocument) only occurs if the global variable is False.

Is there any type of garbage collection that can/should be performed?
I know it should occur automatically when my plugin finishes (closes).
But, sometimes, I perform several calculations and abort those calculations before closing the window, and it hangs.

Sometimes, I close the plugin and, when I open it again, it hangs when I start the calculation.

What could possibly be wrong for it to hang sometimes and others don't?

On 03/02/2016 at 03:02, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi Rui,

Without any code it's difficult to tell what's wrong.
But it looks like this is related to how the thread is managed.
How is it started/stopped?
Are you sure nothing forbidden is done inside it?

Please post some code for these parts.

On 04/02/2016 at 04:25, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Thank you, Yannick.
I will prepare a listing of the snippets of relevant code, stripping out the junk and commenting as much as I can.

On 04/02/2016 at 04:48, xxxxxxxx wrote:

  
"""   
Diffence Render   
Written for Cinema 4D R15 and up   
"""   
  
import c4d   
from c4d import gui, plugins, utils, bitmaps, storage   
from c4d.threading import C4DThread   
from datetime import datetime   
import time   
  
import os   
  
v_start_frame=2000   
v_end_frame=2001   
b_close=2010   
b_calculate=2011   
b_copy_rs=2012   
quality=2020   
the_filename=2030   
b_filename=2040   
b_abort=2050   
t_info=2060   
t_info2=2070   
  
#be sure to use a unique ID obtained from www.plugincafe.com   
PLUGIN_ID = 1036575   
  
rImage1 = bitmaps.BaseBitmap()   
rImage2 = bitmaps.BaseBitmap()   
mImage = bitmaps.BaseBitmap()   
start_frame=0   
end_frame=99   
current_frame=99   
abort = False   
calculating = False   
  
document_time = c4d.BaseTime()   
start_time = time.time()   
last_estimate = 0   
last_estimate_string = ""   
  
frames_dir = ""   
masks_dir = ""   
main_dir = ""   
  
average_change = 0   
  
# *******************************************************************************   
  
class RenderDisplay(gui.GeUserArea) :   
        
     highlight_line = c4d.Vector(0, 0.6, 0)   
     black = c4d.Vector(0)   
     white = c4d.Vector(1)   
     shadow_line = c4d.Vector(0.15)   
  
     success = False   
        
     def __init__(self,bmp) :   
          super(RenderDisplay, self).__init__()   
          self.bmp = rImage1   
        
     def DrawMsg(self, x1, y1, x2, y2, msg_ref) :   
  
          global start_frame   
          global end_frame   
          global current_frame   
          global abort   
          global calculating   
  
          #init draw region   
          self.OffScreenOn()   
          self.SetClippingRegion(x1, y1, x2, y2)   
             
          the_color=self.GetColorRGB(c4d.COLOR_BG)   
          back_color=c4d.Vector(the_color['r']/255.0,the_color['g']/255.0,the_color['b']/255.0)   
          dimmed=c4d.Vector(c4d.utils.Clamp(0.0,1.0,back_color.x*1.1),c4d.utils.Clamp(0.0,1.0,back_color.y*1.1),c4d.utils.Clamp(0.0,1.0,back_color.z*1.1))   
  
          self.DrawSetPen(back_color)   
          self.DrawRectangle(x1, y1, x2, y2)   
             
          self.DrawBorder(c4d.BORDER_THIN_IN,0,0,256,256)   
          self.DrawBorder(c4d.BORDER_THIN_IN,272,0,528,256)   
  
          if self.bmp:   
               ww=self.bmp.GetBw()   
               hh=self.bmp.GetBh()   
  
               if ww>0 and hh>0:   
                    sc=254.0/float(ww)   
                    if hh*sc>254: sc=254.0/float(hh)   
  
                    nw=int(ww*sc)   
                    nh=int(hh*sc)   
                    nx=128-int(nw/2)   
                    ny=128-int(nh/2)   
  
                    self.DrawBitmap(self.bmp,nx,ny,nw,nh,0,0,ww,hh,c4d.BMP_NORMAL)   
  
                    if mImage:   
                         self.DrawBitmap(mImage,270+nx,ny,nw,nh,0,0,ww,hh,c4d.BMP_NORMAL)   
  
          # progress bar   
  
          self.DrawBorder(c4d.BORDER_THIN_IN,100,268,528,278)   
          self.DrawSetPen(self.white if calculating else dimmed)   
  
          percent=0.0   
          progress="Frame --/--"   
  
          if float(end_frame-start_frame)>0.0: percent=float(current_frame-start_frame+1)/float(end_frame-start_frame+1)   
  
          self.DrawRectangle(102, 270, int(102+424*percent), 276)   
        
          #self.DrawSetTextCol(self.white, back_color)   
          self.DrawSetTextCol(self.white if calculating else dimmed, back_color)   
          progress="Frame "+str(int(current_frame-start_frame+1))+"/"+str(int(end_frame-start_frame)+1)   
             
          self.DrawText(progress if calculating else "Frame --/--", 2, 266)   
  
# *******************************************************************************   
  
class MyThread(c4d.threading.C4DThread) :   
  
     thumbnail = RenderDisplay(None)   
     v_quality=0   
  
     def Main(self) :   
  
          global start_frame   
          global end_frame   
          global current_frame   
          global abort   
          global calculating   
          global frames_dir   
          global masks_dir   
          global start_time   
          global main_dir   
          global average_change   
  
          # not calculating at the moment...   
          if calculating==False: return   
  
          # get the render data   
          doc=c4d.documents.GetActiveDocument()   
          rd=doc.GetActiveRenderData()   
  
          # bitmap size   
          o_ww=rd[c4d.RDATA_XRES]   
          o_hh=rd[c4d.RDATA_YRES]   
          ww=int(o_ww*self.v_quality)   
          hh=int(o_hh*self.v_quality)   
  
          # get the content of the render data container   
          new_rd=doc.GetActiveRenderData().GetData()   
  
          new_rd[c4d.RDATA_MULTIPASS_ENABLE] = False   
          new_rd[c4d.RDATA_PROJECTFILE] = False   
          new_rd[c4d.RDATA_FRAMESEQUENCE] = 1   
          new_rd[c4d.RDATA_SAVEIMAGE] = False   
          new_rd[c4d.RDATA_MULTIPASS_SAVEIMAGE] = False   
          new_rd[c4d.RDATA_XRES]=ww   
          new_rd[c4d.RDATA_YRES]=hh   
          new_rd[c4d.RDATA_ANTIALIASING] = 0 # no antialiasing   
  
          rImage1.Init(ww,hh,24)   
          rImage2.Init(ww,hh,24)   
          mImage.Init(ww,hh,24)   
  
          # perform the renders while not aborting and before the end of all frames   
          while current_frame<=end_frame and abort==False and calculating==True:   
  
               new_rd[c4d.RDATA_FRAMEFROM]=c4d.BaseTime(current_frame,doc.GetFps())   
               new_rd[c4d.RDATA_FRAMETO]=c4d.BaseTime(current_frame,doc.GetFps())   
               doc.SetTime(c4d.BaseTime(current_frame,doc.GetFps()))   
  
               res2=c4d.documents.RenderDocument(doc,new_rd,rImage1,c4d.RENDERFLAGS_EXTERNAL|c4d.RENDERFLAGS_NODOCUMENTCLONE)   
  
               # prepare the mask   
               if current_frame==start_frame:   
                    # first frame   
                    for yy in xrange(hh) :   
                         for xx in xrange(ww) :   
                              mImage.SetPixel(xx,yy,255,255,255)   
               else:   
                    for yy in xrange(hh) :   
                         for xx in xrange(ww) :   
                              diff= 0 if rImage1.GetPixel(xx,yy)==rImage2.GetPixel(xx,yy) else 255   
                              mImage.SetPixel(xx,yy,diff,diff,diff)   
             
               # save the frame and the mask   
               frame_name=os.path.join(frames_dir,"frame_%05d.png" % (current_frame,))   
               result=rImage1.Save(frame_name,c4d.FILTER_PNG)   
  
               masks_name=os.path.join(masks_dir,"mask_%05d.png" % (current_frame,))   
               result=mImage.Save(masks_name,c4d.FILTER_PNG)   
  
               rImage1.CopyTo(rImage2)   
  
               current_frame=current_frame+1   
  
          # RENDER FINISHED!!!   
  
          # create a report file   
          if os.path.exists(main_dir) :   
  
               report_path=os.path.join(main_dir,"Report.txt")   
  
               hf=open(report_path,'w')   
  
               if hf:   
                    hf.write("Report for file < "+doc.GetDocumentName()+" >\n\n")   
  
                    hf.write("Date: "+time.strftime("%d/%m/%Y")+"\n\n")   
  
                    hf.write("Original frame size: %d x %d\n" % (o_ww,o_hh))   
                    hf.write("Final masks frame size: %d x %d\n\n" % (ww,hh))   
  
                    hf.write("Frame Range: frame %d to frame %d (%d in total)\n\n" % (start_frame,end_frame,end_frame-start_frame+1))   
  
                    if abort:   
                         hf.write("ABORTED BEFORE COMPLETION AT FRAME "+str(current_frame)+"!\n\n")   
  
                    spent=time.time()-start_time   
                    d=divmod(spent,86400)   
                    h=divmod(d[1],3600)   
                    m=divmod(h[1],60)   
                    s=m[1]   
  
                    hf.write("Total render calculation time: %02d:%02d:%02d\n\n" % (h[0],m[0],s))   
  
                    total_pixels=(end_frame-start_frame+1)*(ww*hh)   
                    aver=float(total_pixels-average_change)/float(total_pixels)   
  
                    hf.write("Average change: %d%% (less change is better)" % (100*(1.0-aver),))   
  
                    hf.close()   
  
          # clean the house   
          rImage1.FlushAll()   
          rImage2.FlushAll()   
          mImage.FlushAll()   
  
          abort=True   
          calculating=False   
  
# *******************************************************************************   
  
class DiffRender(gui.GeDialog) :   
        
     thumbnail = RenderDisplay(None)   
     thread = MyThread()   
  
     counter=0   
        
     def CreateLayout(self) :   
          self.SetTitle("Render Differences")   
             
          self.GroupBegin(id=0, flags=c4d.BFH_SCALEFIT, title="", rows=1, cols=1, groupflags=c4d.BORDER_GROUP_IN)   
          self.GroupBorderSpace(5, 5, 5, 5)   
             
          #give really unique ID to userarea, otherwise the update process will fail!   
          area = self.AddUserArea(id=1001, flags=c4d.BFH_SCALEFIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=528, inith=204)   
          self.AttachUserArea(self.thumbnail, area)   
  
          self.AddStaticText(id=t_info2,flags=c4d.BFH_SCALEFIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,inith=0, name="Info: ---", borderstyle=c4d.BORDER_THIN_IN)   
  
          self.AddButton(id=b_abort, flags=c4d.BFH_CENTER,initw=64, inith=16, name="Abort")   
  
          self.AddSeparatorH(inith=0, flags=c4d.BFH_FIT)   
  
          # Filename   
          self.GroupBegin(id=0, flags=c4d.BFH_SCALEFIT|c4d.BFV_TOP, title="", rows=1, cols=3,)   
          self.AddStaticText(0,flags=c4d.BFH_LEFT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=90, inith=12, name="Masks Path")   
          self.AddEditText(id=the_filename,flags=c4d.BFH_SCALEFIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=0, inith=12)   
          self.AddButton(id=b_filename, flags=c4d.BFH_FIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=50, inith=12, name="...")   
          self.GroupEnd()   
  
          # quality   
          self.GroupBegin(id=0, flags=c4d.BFH_SCALEFIT|c4d.BFV_TOP, title="", rows=1, cols=3,)   
          self.AddStaticText(0,flags=c4d.BFH_FIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=90, inith=12,name="Quality")   
          self.AddEditSlider(id=quality, flags=c4d.BFH_SCALEFIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=50, inith=12)   
          self.AddStaticText(id=t_info,flags=c4d.BFH_FIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=120, inith=12, name="--- x ---")   
          self.GroupEnd()   
  
          self.AddSeparatorH(inith=0, flags=c4d.BFH_FIT)   
  
          # frames   
          self.GroupBegin(id=0, flags=c4d.BFH_SCALEFIT|c4d.BFV_TOP, title="", rows=1, cols=6,)   
          self.AddStaticText(0,flags=c4d.BFH_FIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=90, inith=12,name="From frame")   
          self.AddEditNumberArrows(id=v_start_frame, flags=c4d.BFH_FIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=80, inith=12)   
          self.AddStaticText(0,flags=c4d.BFH_FIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=74, inith=12,name="To frame")   
          self.AddEditNumberArrows(id=v_end_frame, flags=c4d.BFH_FIT|c4d.BFV_TOP,initw=80, inith=12)   
          self.AddButton(id=b_copy_rs, flags=c4d.BFH_SCALEFIT,initw=0, inith=12, name="Copy from Render Settings")   
          self.GroupEnd()   
  
          self.AddSeparatorH(inith=0, flags=c4d.BFH_FIT)   
             
          self.GroupBegin(id=0, flags=c4d.BFH_RIGHT, title="", rows=1, cols=2,)   
          self.AddButton(id=b_close, flags=c4d.BFH_RIGHT,initw=60, inith=16, name="Close")   
          self.AddButton(id=b_calculate, flags=c4d.BFH_RIGHT,initw=80, inith=16, name="Calculate")   
          self.GroupEnd()   
          self.GroupEnd()   
          return True   
  
# *******************************************************************************   
  
     def InitValues(self) :   
          self.SetInt32(id=quality,value=75,min=10,max=100)   
          self.SetInt32(id=v_start_frame,value=0)   
          self.SetInt32(id=v_end_frame,value=99)   
  
          doc=c4d.documents.GetActiveDocument()   
          rd=doc.GetActiveRenderData()   
          ww=rd[c4d.RDATA_XRES_VIRTUAL]   
          hh=rd[c4d.RDATA_YRES_VIRTUAL]   
          qual=float(self.GetInt32(quality))/100.0   
          self.SetString(id=t_info,value="( "+str(int(ww*qual))+" x "+str(int(hh*qual))+" )")   
  
          calculating=False   
  
          success=False   
  
          self.Enable(b_abort,False)   
  
          self.SetTimer(700)   
  
          return True   
  
# *******************************************************************************   
  
     def Command(self,id,msg) :   
  
          global start_frame   
          global end_frame   
          global current_frame   
          global abort   
          global calculating   
          global document_time   
          global start_time   
          global last_estimate   
          global last_estimate_string   
          global frames_dir   
          global masks_dir   
          global main_dir   
          global average_change   
  
          doc=c4d.documents.GetActiveDocument()   
  
          if id==quality:   
               rd=doc.GetActiveRenderData()   
               ww=rd[c4d.RDATA_XRES_VIRTUAL]   
               hh=rd[c4d.RDATA_YRES_VIRTUAL]   
               qual=float(self.GetInt32(quality))/100.0   
               self.SetString(id=t_info,value="( "+str(int(ww*qual))+" x "+str(int(hh*qual))+" )")   
  
          if id==b_close:   
               self.Close()   
  
          if id==b_copy_rs:   
               doc=c4d.documents.GetActiveDocument()   
               rd=doc.GetActiveRenderData()   
               start=rd[c4d.RDATA_FRAMEFROM].GetFrame(doc.GetFps())   
               end=rd[c4d.RDATA_FRAMETO].GetFrame(doc.GetFps())   
               self.SetInt32(id=v_start_frame,value=start)   
               self.SetInt32(id=v_end_frame,value=end)   
  
          if id==b_filename:   
               new_filename=c4d.storage.LoadDialog(title="Select the destination folder",flags=c4d.FILESELECT_DIRECTORY)   
               if new_filename!=None:   
                    self.SetFilename(id=the_filename,fn=new_filename)   
  
          if id==b_calculate:   
               # check the path   
               new_filename=self.GetFilename(id=the_filename)   
               if new_filename=="":   
                    c4d.gui.MessageDialog("A valid path needs to be set, in order to save the difference masks.")   
                    return True   
  
               if not os.path.exists(new_filename) :   
                    c4d.gui.MessageDialog("A valid path needs to be set, in order to save the difference masks.")   
                    return True                       
  
               main_dir=new_filename   
  
               # check start and end frames   
               start_frame=self.GetInt32(id=v_start_frame)   
               end_frame=self.GetInt32(id=v_end_frame)   
               if start_frame>=end_frame:   
                    c4d.gui.MessageDialog("There is a problem with the start and/or end frames.")   
                    return True   
  
               # check if the required folders exist. If not, create them   
               frames_dir=os.path.join(new_filename,"frames")   
               if not os.path.exists(frames_dir) :   
                    os.mkdir(frames_dir)   
  
               masks_dir=os.path.join(new_filename,"masks")   
               if not os.path.exists(masks_dir) :   
                    os.mkdir(masks_dir)   
  
               # clip the end_frame, if necessary   
               max_frames=doc.GetMaxTime().GetFrame(doc.GetFps())   
               if end_frame>max_frames:   
                    end_frame=max_frames   
  
               # disable/enable GUI for calculations   
               self.Enable(b_abort,True)   
               self.Enable(b_calculate,False)   
               self.Enable(b_close,False)   
               self.Enable(b_filename,False)   
               self.Enable(the_filename,False)   
               self.Enable(quality,False)   
               self.Enable(t_info,False)   
               self.Enable(v_start_frame,False)   
               self.Enable(v_end_frame,False)   
               self.Enable(b_copy_rs,False)   
  
               # adjust all the required variables   
               abort=False   
               calculating=True   
               current_frame=start_frame   
               start_time=time.time()   
               last_estimate=time.strptime("23:59:59","%H:%M:%S")   
               last_estimate_string=""   
               average_change=0   
               self.counter=1   
               document_time=doc.GetTime()   
               self.thread.v_quality=float(self.GetInt32(quality))/100.0   
  
               # start the calculation   
               self.thread.Start()   
  
  
          if id==b_abort:   
               abort=True   
  
               self.SetString(id=t_info2,value="Aborting...")   
                  
               self.Enable(b_abort,False)   
               self.Enable(b_calculate,True)   
               self.Enable(b_close,True)   
               self.Enable(b_filename,True)   
               self.Enable(the_filename,True)   
               self.Enable(quality,True)   
               self.Enable(t_info,True)   
               self.Enable(v_start_frame,True)   
               self.Enable(v_end_frame,True)   
               self.Enable(b_copy_rs,True)   
  
               doc.SetTime(document_time)   
  
          #c4d.EventAdd()   
          return True   
  
# *******************************************************************************   
  
     def Timer(self, msg) :   
  
          global start_frame   
          global end_frame   
          global current_frame   
          global abort   
          global calculating   
          global document_time   
          global start_time   
          global last_estimate   
          global last_estimate_string   
  
          if self.counter==0:   
               if calculating and not abort:   
                    spent=time.time()-start_time   
                    d=divmod(spent,86400)   
                    h=divmod(d[1],3600)   
                    m=divmod(h[1],60)   
                    s=m[1]   
  
                    time_string="Elapsed: %02d:%02d:%02d" % (h[0],m[0],s)   
  
                    if current_frame>start_frame:   
                         each_frame=spent/float(current_frame-start_frame-.1)   
                         estimated=(end_frame-current_frame)*each_frame   
                            
                         d=divmod(estimated,86400)   
                         h=divmod(d[1],3600)   
                         m=divmod(h[1],60)   
                         s=m[1]   
                         last_estimate_string=" ( Estimated time to finish: %02d:%02d:%02d )" % (h[0],m[0],s)   
                         last_estimate=estimated   
  
                    time_string=time_string+last_estimate_string   
                    self.SetString(id=t_info2,value=time_string)   
  
          self.counter=(self.counter+1) % 3   
  
          if abort==True:   
               self.thread.End(True)   
               calculating=False   
               self.Enable(b_abort,False)   
               self.Enable(b_calculate,True)   
               self.Enable(b_close,True)   
               self.Enable(b_filename,True)   
               self.Enable(the_filename,True)   
               self.Enable(quality,True)   
               self.Enable(t_info,True)   
               self.Enable(v_start_frame,True)   
               self.Enable(v_end_frame,True)   
               self.Enable(b_copy_rs,True)   
               doc=c4d.documents.GetActiveDocument()   
               doc.SetTime(document_time)   
               c4d.StopAllThreads()   
                       
          #Since we can't update the USER_AREA manually while rendering   
          #We must ReDraw it constantly before we start rendering   
          #Only do this ReDrawing when we are actually rendering!!!   
          if self.thread.IsRunning() :   
               self.thumbnail.Redraw()   
                  
  
# *******************************************************************************   
  
class BitmapManagerCommandData(c4d.plugins.CommandData) :   
     dialog = None   
  
     def Execute(self, doc) :   
          """Just create the dialog when the user clicked on the entry   
          in the plugins menu to open it."""   
          if self.dialog is None:   
             self.dialog = DiffRender()   
  
          return self.dialog.Open(dlgtype=c4d.DLG_TYPE_MODAL, pluginid=PLUGIN_ID, defaulth=300, defaultw=550)   
  
     def RestoreLayout(self, sec_ref) :   
          """Same for this method. Just allocate it when the dialog   
          is needed"""   
          if self.dialog is None:   
             self.dialog = DiffRender()   
  
          return self.dialog.Restore(pluginid=PLUGIN_ID, secret=sec_ref)   
  
# *******************************************************************************   
  
if __name__ == "__main__":   
      bmp = bitmaps.BaseBitmap()   
      dir, f = os.path.split(__file__)   
      fn = os.path.join(dir, "res", "icon.tif")   
      bmp.InitWith(fn)   
      c4d.plugins.RegisterCommandPlugin(id=PLUGIN_ID, str="Differences Render",   
                                              help="Renders set of bitmaps with differences between animation frames.",info=0,   
                                                  dat=BitmapManagerCommandData(), icon=bmp)   

On 04/02/2016 at 08:48, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi Rui,

That's quite a long piece of code :slightly_smiling_face:.

First, you're doing forbidden operations in the custom thread:
- Modification of the active document (doc.SetTime())
- File operation (open(), write() etc.)

RenderDocument() is called without passing the thread... So it doesn't know it runs from a custom thread.
The last (optional) parameter th should be passed self.Get()).

The Main() function of your thread should be used to call RenderDocument() mainly. Modifying the rendered bitmap there should be fine too.
All other operations have to be done from the dialog. Modify the document there and run the thread for each frame to render.
Then do also the file operation in your dialog after the render and thread have finished each frame.

Also I'm not sure the behavior between globals and a C4DThread is safe. You'd better use members of the custom threads.
When the render operation has to be aborted you shouldn't rely on a global bool but immediately end the thread.

On 04/02/2016 at 09:21, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Thank you for the pointers. I will change my code, then.
Just one thing... how can I know that a render operation finished for each frame, in order to advance with the bitmap operations?

On 04/02/2016 at 09:24, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Oh, another thing.
If I don't set the time of the document inside the thread with doc.SetTime(), simply setting the start/end frame of the render with

new_rd[c4d.RDATA_FRAMEFROM]=c4d.BaseTime(current_frame,doc.GetFps())
new_rd[c4d.RDATA_FRAMETO]=c4d.BaseTime(current_frame,doc.GetFps())

will be enough? I mean, will it calculate the animation correctly? Even files with particles and dynamics?

On 05/02/2016 at 01:23, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi Rui,

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

How can I know that a render operation finished for each frame, in order to advance with the bitmap operations?

Use your dialog's Timer() function to keep track of the running thread. When finished do the bitmap and file operations.
Then start another thread for the next render if cycle hasn't finished.

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

If I don't set the time of the document inside the thread with doc.SetTime(), simply setting the start/end frame of the render with

new_rd[c4d.RDATA_FRAMEFROM]=c4d.BaseTime(current_frame,doc.GetFps()) 
new_rd[c4d.RDATA_FRAMETO]=c4d.BaseTime(current_frame,doc.GetFps())

will be enough? I mean, will it calculate the animation correctly? Even files with particles and dynamics?

To make sure the document to render is updated for a given frame call ExecutePasses() after SetTime().

On 05/02/2016 at 07:07, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Thank you, Yannick.
That sounds logical.
My only problem is that my cycle is now in the main thread and it happens in the Command method, while the cycle is running, I have no events for the clicking on the Abort button.
How can I create a cycle, when the user clicks "Calculate" and still have a way to cancel the render, by clicking "Abort"?

On 08/02/2016 at 03:47, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

My only problem is that my cycle is now in the main thread and it happens in the Command method, while the cycle is running, I have no events for the clicking on the Abort button.
How can I create a cycle, when the user clicks "Calculate" and still have a way to cancel the render, by clicking "Abort"?

What do you mean by 'cycle'?
You shouldn't use a while loop for the render cycle. Use Timer() to check if the thread for the render has finished. If yes do your bitmap and file operations then starts the next render thread.

On 08/02/2016 at 13:22, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Oh, ok. Requires a little more "thinking of" but I will give it a try
Another thing... instead of using global variables should I make them all childs of the user thread process?
Thank you, Yannick.

On 09/02/2016 at 00:15, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

Another thing... instead of using global variables should I make them all childs of the user thread process?

It's always better to use member variable in classes. This forces to write cleaner and safer code.
Avoid as much as possible using global variables.