Overview
A major VFX production required highly scalable, GPU-intensive cloud workstations to support a globally distributed team of artists. The project demanded real-time collaboration, rapid iteration, and overnight rendering of approximately 700,000 8K frames, requiring massive computational power. Traditional on-prem infrastructure was not feasible due to the scale and speed required, necessitating a flexible cloud-based solution.
Actors & Requirements
Actor
• 300+ VFX Artists & Technicians – Required remote, high-performance workstations to access and modify complex scenes in real time.
• Pipeline Engineers – Managed asset distribution and rendering workloads across 100+ cloud-based workstations.
• IT & Security Teams – Ensured seamless integration, data security, and uptime for a global workforce.
Technical Requirements
• Compute Power:
• Each artist workstation required access to cloud GPUs equivalent to NVIDIA RTX A6000 or higher.
• Rendering workloads leveraged a fleet of 100+ virtual workstations, dynamically scaling based on demand.
• Rendering Performance:
• Needed to process 700K frames per night at stereo 8K resolution, requiring sustained high-speed data transfer and compute resources.
• Each frame involved complex volumetric lighting, real-time physics
• Collaboration & Workflow:
• Artists worked across multiple time zones, requiring low-latency access to cloud assets.
• Cloud infrastructure had to support real-time updates to massive scene files without data bottlenecks.
• Security & Compliance:
• Encrypted access and virtual machine isolation to protect intellectual property.
• Secure file storage and transfer ensuring no asset loss or unauthorized access.
Workflow & Key Actions
1. Artist Workstation Deployment
• Artists connected to high-performance cloud VFX workstations via a low-latency virtual desktop interface.
• Workstations dynamically adjusted GPU and CPU allocation based on workload intensity.
2. Cloud-Based Rendering & Processing
• 100+ cloud instances ran simultaneously, each processing thousands of frames per night.
• A render queue management system distributed frame calculations across multiple instances to optimize throughput.
3. Asset Streaming & Collaboration
• Artists worked on high-resolution assets stored in a centralized, high-speed cloud file system.
• Changes to assets were instantly synced across teams, enabling real-time iteration without re-rendering delays.
4. Security & Data Integrity
• Multi-factor authentication and zero-trust architecture ensured only authorized users accessed the workstations.
• Automated backup and failover mechanisms guaranteed continuity in case of unexpected outages.
5. Project Finalization & Optimization
• Once rendering was complete, final assets were securely transferred to post-production teams.
• Usage analytics helped refine resource allocation for future VFX productions.
Expected Outcomes & Impact
Scalability Without Limits: On-demand provisioning of GPU power and workstations ensured production stayed on schedule.
Optimized Rendering Speeds: Processing 700K stereo frames per night at 8K resolution was streamlined through cloud automation.
Seamless Remote Collaboration: Artists and engineers worldwide worked in real-time as if they were in the same studio.
Cost Efficiency: Cloud-based deployment reduced hardware investment while maintaining peak performance.
Future-Proof Infrastructure: The successful deployment of this cloud VFX workflow paves the way for even more ambitious real-time rendering projects.
Why CenterGrid’s Virtual Studio?
Tailored for High-End VFX – Purpose-built cloud workstations optimized for demanding rendering needs.
Flexible & Scalable – Dynamically scales GPU power and instances based on production load.
Enterprise-Grade Security – Ensures compliance and protects valuable intellectual property.
Accelerated Rendering & Collaboration – Artists get real-time access to powerful compute resources, enabling creativity without technical bottlenecks.
