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Installation

What is RANCHecker?

RANCHecker is a 3ds Max plugin developed by Ranch Computing that prepares your project for upload to the RANCH render farm.

What does it do?

RANCHecker automates the preparation process by:

  • Compiling everything into a .VU3 archive file, ready for upload to the RANCH.
  • Collecting all textures used in your scene.
  • Including assets and Global Illumination (GI) maps (if applicable).
  • Verifying that rendering parameters are correctly configured.
  • Adjusting file paths as needed.

How to use it?

  1. Launch the plugin and load your scene in 3ds Max.
  2. Click ‘Prepare Project’ to package your project for the RANCH.
  3. Click ‘Upload Project to RANCH’ to submit it for rendering.

That’s it! Your project is now ready for rendering on the RANCH Renderfarm!

How to install RANCHecker?

  1. Download the RANCHecker plugin for 3ds Max and extract the ZIP file to your hard drive.
  2. In 3ds Max, install the plugin using one of these methods:
    • Via Script Menu:
      • Go to Scripting > MAXScript > Run Script.
      • Browse and select the .mzp file (not the ZIP).
    • Drag & Drop:
      • Simply drag the .mzp file directly into the 3ds Max viewport.

RANCHecker is accessible via the ‘Rendering’ menu:

You can also create a button in the 3ds Max toolbar as a way to launch RANCHecker quickly. To do this you have to:

  1. Go to Customize→Customize User Interface
  2. Go to the Toolbar tab, Category: ‘RANCHecker’,
  3. Drag the ‘RANCHecker’ name to the toolbar.