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What is the demonstration version of Zookeeper and what are its limitations?
Demonstration version is provided free of charge to all those interested. Its job is to allow people to try Zookeeper and see how it functions and fits with their workflow before making a purchase decision. It is also provided for users to be able to use Zookeeper in their projects to a certain degree (for example, with synoptic views).
Some of the functionality in demonstration version is limited or ommited altogether. The limited functionality is designed in such a way as to allow a user to see Zookeeper's potential. Following limitations are imposed:
- Saving is not available
- A maximum of 3 concurrent views are allowed at a time. This can be any combination of tree or schematic views. Palette count is not limited.
- A tree view can have a maximum of 20 objects in it.
- Schematic view can have a maximum of 10 nodes unless it is configured as a synoptic view, in which case nodes are unlimited.
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Which versions of 3d Studio Max are supported?
Zookeeper supports all versions of 3d Studio Max after and including 2009 -
Why are 3d Studio Max 2008 (R9) or earlier versions not supported?
3d Studio Max 2009 introduced some key functionality in its SDK which are core to Zookeeper. Therefore we cannot support versions earlier than that. -
Do I need to install Zookeeper on all render slaves to ensure that my scene works during network rendering?
Zookeeper does create a proprietary scene node which references a Zookeeper plugin. Therefore, you will get a 'missing plugin' dialog in scenes where Zookeeper was used on systems that do not have it installed. The scene will still work as normal as Zookeeper does not affect the scene's functionality.
'Missing plugin' dialog can easily be prevented by using the 'Reset...' option inside Zookeeper's main menu and resaving the scene. This will flush Zookeeper data from the scene and needs to be done before sending the scene off to network rendering. Likewise, deleting 'ZKAnchor' hidden node will also clear all Zookeeper data. -
I'm ok with installing Zookeeper on render slave machines, will it work there without additional licenses?
Yes, Zookeeper is designed to work when 3dsmax is in render slace mode without authorization or the need for a license server. -
How does Zookeeper affect my scene? Will my clients be able to use it without Zookeeper installed?
If you build a scene in Zookeeper and create, layers, materials, object and material wires and connections all of that will be 100% compatible and work AOK within a copy of max that does not have Zookeeper.
You will of course not have access to the UI and workflow of Zookeeper in a max install without the plug-in but will be fully able to access the layers, object, and materials you have built with the standard 3ds max tools.
When passing on a scene that Zookeeper was used in you will need to remove the plug-in portion of Zookeeper from the scene to prevent the missing plug-in error you get in max when any plug-in is not present. This is easy to do and an option for Resting and removing Zookeeper from a scene is in the main Zookeeper menu.
For submitting to a render farm you can install the free version of ZK to prevent any errors on that end.
