FAQ for when worker cannot find Blender executable #104232

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Sybren A. Stüvel merged 5 commits from michael-2/flamenco:faq_worker_not_finding_blender into main 2023-08-23 15:15:39 +02:00
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@ -66,27 +66,13 @@ file][workercfg].
When installing and starting the Flamenco Worker you may see a warning in the logs that says
the Worker cannot find Blender.
Example Flamenco Worker <=v3.2 log message...
```
michael-2 marked this conversation as resolved

I think this line can be removed, and the period in the sentence above can be turned into a colon:

... that says the Worker cannot find Blender:

IMO there is no need to specify which version of Flamenco is used. If you do want to be explicit, use something like "Flamenco Worker v3.2 would log:"

I think this line can be removed, and the period in the sentence above can be turned into a colon: > ... that says the Worker cannot find Blender: IMO there is no need to specify which version of Flamenco is used. If you do want to be explicit, use something like "Flamenco Worker v3.2 would log:"
WRN Blender could not be found, Flamenco Manager will have to supply a full path
WRN Blender could not be found. Flamenco Manager will have to supply the full path to Blender when Tasks are sent to this Worker. For more help see https://flamenco.blender.org/usage/variables/blender/
```
There are two ways to resolve this problem:
1. Blender be installed in [platform dependent paths][blenderpaths] using the Blender installer or
available in the environment $PATH.
2. Use a [two-way variable named `blender`][blendervar] for each platform (eg: Windows, Linux or MacOS).
For option (1), Flamenco will attempt to locate Blender by examining the system.
In option (2) the `blender` path for the Worker is sent when a Render Job Task is enqueued.
The Worker will still show a warning on startup and expect the Flamenco Manager to send the Blender
path to use.
If Flamenco cannot locate Blender on the system it is possible to use a [two-way variable named `blender`][blendervar] for each platform (eg: Windows, Linux or MacOS). The Flamenco Worker will still show the same WRN message on startup when you use the two-way `blender` variable. The path specified by the `blender` variable is sent with the render job is enqueued.

Windows, Linux or MacOS

Please use the Oxford comma.

The Flamenco Worker will still show the same WRN message on startup when you use the two-way blender variable. The path specified by the blender variable is sent with the render job is enqueued.

I think this can be reworded for more clarity, something like this:

This path to Blender is then sent to the Worker for each render task. Note that the Worker will still show the warning at startup, as it cannot find Blender by itself; this is fine, because you now have configured the Manager to provide this path.

> Windows, Linux or MacOS Please use the Oxford comma. > The Flamenco Worker will still show the same WRN message on startup when you use the two-way `blender` variable. The path specified by the `blender` variable is sent with the render job is enqueued. I think this can be reworded for more clarity, something like this: This path to Blender is then sent to the Worker for each render task. Note that the Worker will still show the warning at startup, as it cannot find Blender by itself; this is fine, because you now have configured the Manager to provide this path.
[blendervar]: {{< ref "usage/variables/blender" >}}
michael-2 marked this conversation as resolved

This can be written more positively. It's just a warning, not a "problem". Something like "There are two ways to address this" would be better.

This can be written more positively. It's just a warning, not a "problem". Something like "There are two ways to address this" would be better.
[blenderpath]: https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/advanced/blender_directory_layout.html#platform-dependent-paths
## Can I change the paths/names of the rendered files?
michael-2 marked this conversation as resolved Outdated

The linked documentation describes multiple paths, for example $HOME/.config/blender/3.6/. I don't think it's a good idea to suggest that people start installing Blender in their configuration directory. It will certainly mess up as soon as they upgrade Blender and their config (and thus Blender itself) is copied from the old to the new version.

Furthermore it doesn't resolve this message at all, as $HOME/.config/blender/3.6/ is not a path that the Worker will search for at startup.

Many non-technical users will also not understand "or available in the environment $PATH."

The linked documentation describes multiple paths, for example `$HOME/.config/blender/3.6/`. I don't think it's a good idea to suggest that people start installing Blender in their configuration directory. It will certainly mess up as soon as they upgrade Blender and their config (and thus Blender itself) is copied from the old to the new version. Furthermore it doesn't resolve this message at all, as `$HOME/.config/blender/3.6/` is not a path that the Worker will search for at startup. Many non-technical users will also not understand "or available in the environment $PATH."