Using Renderfarm with Ladybug Tools
There are few prerequisites if you want to use Ladybug Tools with modeFRONTIER on the BK Renderfarm.
Contents
Install the same applications
The BK Renderfarm supports Rhino 7 and Grasshopper with Ladybug Tools. Below is a list of applications used with Ladybug Tools. To prevent compatibility problems it is advised to install the same versions of applications on your own device.
Ladybug Tools
- ModeFRONTIER: 2022R3
- Rhino 7 (release: SR 27 + Grasshopper 1.0.0007: 1 February 2023)
- Ladybug Tools 1.5.0
- Openstudio: 3.1.0
- EnergyPlus: 9.4.0
- Radiance: 5.3
Do not use other GH Components and User Objects other than from Ladybug Tools. Other add-ons/plug-ins for GH are not installed on the render farm and the optimisation will likely fail if your GH file contains components from other add-ons/plug-ins.
Grasshopper myNODE
With the release of modeFRONTIER 2020R3 and higher support for Grasshopper has been integrated and installation of the Grasshopper myNODE add-on is not needed.
Prepare your Grasshopper file
Update in progress!
To prevent that some Ladybug and/or Honeybee components start to run with every change lock Grasshopper. In Grasshopper go to menu or RMB on the canvas and choose . A lock will appear on the canvas.
When using 2 or more (max. 4) Concurrent Design Evaluations a Python component is needed to prevent files created by one render node to be overwritten by another render node. Files created by certain Ladybug and/or Honeybee components are temporary files and with every new evaluation previous saved files by those components are overwritten.[1]
Add a GhPython Script component to the canvas.
Double-click on the component name to open the script editor. Remove the existing code and add the following two lines of code. Notice that a in the script on line 2 is the same as output a of the Python component. Output a is the name of the computer where Grasshopper is opened and is different on each computer.
import socket
a=socket.gethostname()
Click OK to close the editor and to save the changes.
Most, if not all, Ladybug Tools with input _workingDir_ have default setting C:\ladybug and this has to be changed into R:\your_netid\ladybug\render_node where your_netid is your actual NetID and render_node is the actual computer name of one of the four render nodes of the render farm.
These bits of text needs to be concatenated to one string and separated with a backslash "\".
and RMB on the component to add a backslash "\" without quotes as a separator.
Connect output R with input _workingDir of the Ladybug or Honeybee component you are using. Optionally, check the output of R with a panel.
Test run on your own computer
A test run needs to be made with modeFRONTIER on your own device while connected to the R-drive to see if files are not accidentally written to your own device. To be sure empty or rename folder C:\ladybug on your own device.
The R-drive is only accessible from TU campus network or use VPN if you are working at home
- Windows: Map Network Drive \\renderfarm.bk.tudelft.nl\public and login with your NetID suffixed by @tudelft.nl (.nl not .net)
- macOS: Connect to server smb://renderfarm.bk.tudelft.nl/public and login with your NetID.
Login to Remote Desktop
If everything seems fine after a successful test run on your own device, then users with permission can login with their NetID on remote computer SRV273. Access to SRV273 can be requested by sending an e-mail to SID-ADHOK@tudelft.nl with the NetID that will be used to login.
To access SRV273 go to https://weblogin.tudelft.nl
After login at https://weblogin.tudelft.nl click on APPS at the top bar and open the Remote Desktop Connection app. In your browser a new tab/window opens and login here with your NetID on remote computer SRV273.
After login you might notice that none of the listed applications is installed, except for modeFRONTIER (with Grasshopper myNODE). That is on purpose and is not needed to run optimisations on the render farm.
Open modeFRONTIER and check your settings and change it to your needed settings. If all is set, click Run Project to start your optimisation. You can Disconnect from the remote desktop and login later to see the progress made.
Sign out or Disconnect from Remote Desktop
Users not using modeFRONTIER (running any optimisations) on SRV273 are urged to Sign out and not Disconnect.
Monthly Windows Updates
Be aware that Windows security updates are performed every second Tuesday of the month and SRV273 will restart on Thursday/Friday after the update. You might want to add reminders to your calendar.
Notes
- ↑ Is this true?
