Can I run a Blender script as an Azure Batch?

Francesca 5

I would like to run Blender w/ my input script and input file in Azure Batch just as I do from the command line.

My Python script (Python is the built-in scripting language of Blender) takes the input file, does some manipulations and saves a few images to some permanent storage.

I would use some Blob storage for the input and output files.

>> Is this possible with Azure Batch or do I need to run a Docker VM?

Are there any examples or documentation for how to set this up?

PS Here's my command line: `c:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 3.4\blender.exe -b "C:\Users\__EmptyLightsCamera1200x800__4.blend" -P "C:\Users\ME\__mesh2png.py" -- "C:\Users\ME\input.obj" "C:\Users\ME\output.png" 43.526

Prrudram-MSFT 21,966 Reputation points

2023-04-30T18:57:50.56+00:00
Hello @Francesca

It should be possible to run Blender with your input script and input file in Azure Batch. You can use the Batch Python client library to create a pool of Batch compute nodes and then create a job that runs tasks to process each input file in the pool using a basic command. You can use Blob storage for the input and output files.

Here are some suggestions on how to run a Blender script using Azure Batch:

Create a Batch account and a linked Azure Storage account. You can create these accounts using the Azure portal or Azure CLI.

Install the Batch Python client library and the Azure Blob Storage client library using pip.

Upload your Blender script and input file to Blob storage.

Use the Batch Python client library to create a pool of batch compute nodes. You can specify the number of nodes, the size of the nodes, and the operating system.

Use the Batch Python client library to create a job that runs tasks to process each input file in the pool using basic command. You can specify the command to run your Blender script and input file.

Use the Batch Python client library to monitor the status of the job and retrieve the output files from Blob storage.

Reference:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/batch/quick-run-python

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/batch/batch-cli-get-started
Prrudram-MSFT 21,966 Reputation points

2023-05-04T08:07:34.8466667+00:00

@Francesca Any progress with this ?
Francesca 5 Reputation points

2023-05-09T18:01:42.28+00:00

I was not successful and ended up using a Docker container from docker hub.

https://hub.docker.com/r/nytimes/blender
Prrudram-MSFT 21,966 Reputation points

2023-05-10T05:53:31.0566667+00:00

@Francesca

Thanks for the update.