Compatible with Windows Compatible with macOS Compatible with Linux

> **Warning**
> This repository is deprecated, you should take a look at [Cloud VFX Server](https://github.com/healkeiser/cloud_vfx_server)

Google Drive VFX Server

VFX Pipeline

## Table of Contents * [About](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#about) * [Setup Server](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#setup) * [Software](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#software) * [Automatic](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#automatic) * [Manual](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#manual) * [Tips](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#tips) * [Roadmap](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#roadmap) * [Useful Resources and Tools](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#useful-resources-and-tools) * [Contact](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#contact) ## About Quick tutorial to setup a Google Drive Server for multiple machines access, and VFX Pipeline on Windows, macOS and Linux. > If you're using Linux, you will need to use a third-party software to emulate Google Drive File Stream, such as [Rclone](https://rclone.org/) or [Insync](https://www.insynchq.com/), unless you're running on Gnome: the last Nautilus version has a default Online Accounts option. In this case, your `$PIPELINE_ROOT` will be something like `google-drive://yourmail@gmail.com/My Drive` ## Setup Server > I'll be using Windows for explanatory purposes, but the steps are the same on macOS and Linux > In order to make your life easier when defining environment variables in macOS, I highly recommend using this great tool: [EnvPane](https://github.com/hschmidt/EnvPane) - Install [Google Drive File Stream](https://dl.google.com/drive-file-stream/GoogleDriveSetup.exe) and assign the virtual disk the letter `Z:` > It's important to assign a **similar letter** on every machine at every Google Drive File Stream fresh install, otherwise directories will be broken - Tick `Stream Files` *(Default Option)* - Copy the `.config` folder to `Z:/My Drive/` and make it **Available offline** by Right Cliking, `Offline access` -> `Available offline` to ensure an access to the files even if the machine is not connected to internet ## Software ### Automatic - Run `Z:/My Drive/.config/environment/environment_source_windows.bat` to setup all the environment variables, or follow instructions under. You can edit the content of the `environment_source_windows.bat` file to adapt it to your needs. Note that you'll still have to configure Python, Substance to use a shared materials library, and run an independant script for After Effects (Detailed in [Manual](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server/raw/main/#manual) section) > For example, if you decided to use the letter `F:` (**Not recommended**) for your Google Drive virtual disk, you'll need to edit the first line from `setx PIPELINE_ROOT "Z:/My Drive"` to `setx PIPELINE_ROOT "F:/My Drive"` before executing the file ### Manual ### Python

Python - Install Python on `Z:/My Drive/.config/pipeline/python/Python$PYTHON_VERSION` and click "Add to Path" while doing so. Your Python libraries will now stay up to date on all machines > Example of the Path environment variable (System variables) after install: > - `Z:/My Drive/.config/pipeline/python/Python310/Scripts/` > - `Z:/My Drive/.config/pipeline/python/Python310/` ### Maya

Maya - Define a new environment variable for User called *MAYA_APP_DIR*. Give this new variable the value of the folder containing the usual *scripts*, *prefs* folders and so on. This variable needs to be assigned before Maya is started, so writing it in the Maya.env won't work > Variable should be `MAYA_APP_DIR` `Z:/My Drive/.config/pipeline/maya` ###

Substance Painter - Define a new environment variable for User called *SUBSTANCE_PAINTER_PLUGINS_PATH*. Give this new variable the value of the folder containing the *python* folder. This variable needs to be assigned before Substance Painter is started > Variable should be `SUBSTANCE_PAINTER_PLUGINS_PATH` `Z:/My Drive/.config/pipeline/substance_painter/python` - Open Substance Painter, then open `Modify` > `Settings`. In the new window, go to the `Library` section. In name, type `pipeline_assets` and add the following path: `Z:/My Drive/.config/pipeline/substance_painter/assets`. Click the `+` and restart Substance Painter. Return in `Modify` -> `Settings` -> `Library` and select the freshly created Library as the default one [![google-Drive-VFXServer-substance-01.jpg](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/9ea6ac94a2098cc4c07b849625b02138fcc8d60b830b06ff7f622fb5399baade/68747470733a2f2f692e706f7374696d672e63632f5352573336586a742f676f6f676c652d44726976652d5646585365727665722d7375627374616e63652d30312e6a7067)](https://postimg.cc/5Q2s12Bw) ### Houdini

Houdini - Define a new environment variable for User called *HSITE*. Give this new variable the value of the parent folder containing the *houdini.major.minor* folder, which contains itself the usual *otls*, *packages* folders and so on. This variable needs to be assigned before Houdini is started, so writing it in the houdini.env won't work > Variable should be `HSITE` `Z:/My Drive/.config/pipeline/houdini` - Packages contains a `drive_server.json` file that's specifically dedicated to optimizing the space used on the Google Drive Server if your `PROJECT` folder is there: 10 maximum backup files for each file, and buffered save is activated *at the expense of memory when saving* > Packages used by Houdini should be there `Z:/My Drive/.config/pipeline/houdini/houdini$HOUDINI_VERSION/packages` ### Nuke

Nuke - Define a new environment variable for User called *NUKE_PATH*. Give this new variable the value of the folder containing the usual *gizmos*, *python* folders and so on. This variable needs to be assigned before Nuke is started > Variable should be `NUKE_PATH` `Z:/My Drive/.config/pipeline/nuke` ###

After Effects - You'll need to either manually move the files for After Effects, maybe create a symbolic link (You can use [Link Sell Extension](https://schinagl.priv.at/nt/hardlinkshellext/linkshellextension.html) to do so) between the `$PIPELINE_ROOT/.config/pipeline/after_effects/Support Files` content and your `C:/Program Files/Adobe/Adobe After Effects $AFTER_EFFECTS_VERSION/Support Files` folder, or use this Python [script](https://github.com/healkeiser/googleDriveVFXServer-pipeline/raw/main/.config/pipeline/after_effects/move_plugins.py) to do it automatically > Using the Python script, the `Plug-ins` and `Scripts` will only copy in the most recent Adobe After Effects installation folder ## Tips - With that method, you can either place your `PROJECTS` folder on the Google Drive Server freshly created, or leave it anywhere locally - Here is an example of my `$PIPELINE_ROOT`: [![google-Drive-VFXServer-01.jpg](https://camo.githubusercontent.com/de126d918e53a64633218981a24aa1c0295c9f90e459f06616811a94eed62585/68747470733a2f2f692e706f7374696d672e63632f4e4d51507a6846592f676f6f676c652d44726976652d5646585365727665722d30312e6a7067)](https://postimg.cc/sB0cMN50) - Google Drive will allow you to limit the bandwidth for upload/download directly in the app, which could be useful if the `PROJECTS` folder is saved on the server ## Roadmap - [ ] Houdini Packages for levels `Studio`, `Project`, `User` - [x] Automatic copy of After Effects plug-ins ## Useful Resources and Tools - [MOPS](https://github.com/toadstorm/MOPS "MOPS") - Used in the `.config` - [JZTREE](https://github.com/joshuazt/JZTREES "JZTREES") - Used in the `.config` - [AeLib](https://github.com/Aeoll/Aelib "MOPS") - Used in the `.config` - [qLib](https://github.com/qLab/qLib "qLibS") - Used in the `.config` - [egMatLib](https://github.com/eglaubauf/egMatLib "egMatLib") - Used in the `.config` - [Houdini Expression Editor](http://cgtoolbox.com/houdini-expression-editor/ "Houdini Expression Editor") - Used in the `.config` - [Nuke Survivor Toolkit](https://compositingmentor.com/2020/09/25/nuke-survival-toolkit/ "MOPS") - Used in the `.config` - [Megascans](https://quixel.com/megascans "Megascans") - Used in the `.config` - [HSITE](https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/basics/config.html "SideFX: $HSITE") - [Packages](https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/ref/plugins.html "SideFX: Packages") ## Contact Project Link: [Google Drive VFX Server](https://github.com/healkeiser/google_drive_vfx_server)

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