Shell command rendering for Apple programs

thomjas · Shell command rendering for Apple programs

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with submitting batch renders using shell commands.
My biggest concern is that it would be faster to render... or would it? With the processor only working on the actual render, and not dealing with GUI graphics and displays, it makes sense.

Plus in the long run, it would be easier to send large jobs because it can be done with fewer clicks and partnered with Automator makes things a snap. I have several small projects often times, and to create the batch using the GUI is click-intensive. (call me lazy, but isn't the computer supposed to do the work?)

What I know so far, is that the shell command for any app is in the Applications/"nameyourapp.app"/contents/macOS/"nameyourapp". This brings up the app, but what do you do from there? I can't get it to do anything.

Thanks for any help!

Thierry Gschwind

To render a shake script in shell type

shake -exec yourscript.shk -cpus 2 -vv

replace yourscript.shk with the path and script name, if you have a single processor you skip -cpus 2, if you have a quad use -cpus 4. -vv print the time for each frame, if you don't wnat that use -v or nothing.