Merge branch 'master' into feature/104-settings-window

# Conflicts:
#	src/engines/engine_manager.py
#	src/init.py

.github/workflows/create-executables.yml

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: sayyid5416/pyinstaller@v1
         with:
           python_ver: '3.11'
-          spec: 'main.spec'
+          spec: 'client.spec'
           requirements: 'requirements.txt'
           upload_exe_with_name: 'Zordon'
   pyinstaller-build-linux:
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: sayyid5416/pyinstaller@v1
         with:
           python_ver: '3.11'
-          spec: 'main.spec'
+          spec: 'client.spec'
           requirements: 'requirements.txt'
           upload_exe_with_name: 'Zordon'
   pyinstaller-build-macos:
@@ -33,6 +33,6 @@ jobs:
         uses: sayyid5416/pyinstaller@v1
         with:
           python_ver: '3.11'
-          spec: 'main.spec'
+          spec: 'client.spec'
           requirements: 'requirements.txt'
           upload_exe_with_name: 'Zordon'

.gitignore

@@ -6,3 +6,8 @@
 /dist/
 /build/
 /.github/
+*.idea
+.DS_Store
+/venv/
+.env
+venv/

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
+![Zordon Screenshot](docs/screenshot.png)
+
+---
+
 # Zordon
 
-A tool designed for small render farms, such as those used in home studios or small businesses, to efficiently manage and run render jobs for Blender, FFMPEG, and other video renderers. It simplifies the process of distributing rendering tasks across multiple available machines, optimizing the rendering workflow for artists, animators, and video professionals.
+A lightweight, zero-install, distributed rendering and management tool designed to streamline and optimize rendering workflows across multiple machines
+
+## What is Zordon?
+
+Zordon is tool designed for small render farms, such as those used in home studios or small businesses, to efficiently manage and run render jobs for Blender, FFMPEG, and other video renderers. It simplifies the process of distributing rendering tasks across multiple available machines, optimizing the rendering workflow for artists, animators, and video professionals.
+
 
 Notice: This should be considered a beta and is meant for casual / hobbiest use. Do not use in mission critical environments!
 

add_job.py

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+
+import argparse
+import logging
+import os
+import socket
+import sys
+import threading
+import time
+
+from server import start_server
+from src.api.serverproxy_manager import ServerProxyManager
+
+logger = logging.getLogger()
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+        description="Zordon CLI tool for preparing/submitting a render job",
+        formatter_class=argparse.ArgumentDefaultsHelpFormatter
+    )
+
+    # Required arguments
+    parser.add_argument("scene_file", help="Path to the scene file (e.g., .blend, .max, .mp4)")
+    parser.add_argument("engine", help="Desired render engine", choices=['blender', 'ffmpeg'])
+
+    # Frame range
+    parser.add_argument("--start", type=int, default=1, help="Start frame")
+    parser.add_argument("--end", type=int, default=1, help="End frame")
+
+    # Job metadata
+    parser.add_argument("--name", default=None, help="Job name")
+
+    # Output
+    parser.add_argument("--output", default="", help="Output path/pattern (e.g., /renders/frame_####.exr)")
+
+    # Target OS and Engine Version
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--os",
+        choices=["any", "windows", "linux", "macos"],
+        default="any",
+        help="Target operating system for render workers"
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--engine-version",
+        default="latest",
+        help="Required renderer/engine version number (e.g., '4.2', '5.0')"
+    )
+
+    # Optional flags
+    parser.add_argument("--dry-run", action="store_true", help="Print job details without submitting")
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    # Basic validation
+    if not os.path.exists(args.scene_file):
+        print(f"Error: Scene file '{args.scene_file}' not found!", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    if args.start > args.end:
+        print("Error: Start frame cannot be greater than end frame!", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    # Calculate total frames
+    total_frames = len(range(args.start, args.end + 1))
+    job_name = args.name or os.path.basename(args.scene_file)
+    file_path = os.path.abspath(args.scene_file)
+
+    # Print job summary
+    print("Render Job Summary:")
+    print(f"  Job Name         : {job_name}")
+    print(f"  Scene File       : {file_path}")
+    print(f"  Engine           : {args.engine}")
+    print(f"  Frames           : {args.start}-{args.end} → {total_frames} frames")
+    print(f"  Output Path      : {args.output or '(default from scene)'}")
+    print(f"  Target OS        : {args.os}")
+    print(f"  Engine Version   : {args.engine_version}")
+
+    if args.dry_run:
+        print("\nDry run complete (no submission performed).")
+        return
+
+    local_hostname = socket.gethostname()
+    local_hostname = local_hostname + (".local" if not local_hostname.endswith(".local") else "")
+    found_proxy = ServerProxyManager.get_proxy_for_hostname(local_hostname)
+
+    is_connected = found_proxy.check_connection()
+    if not is_connected:
+        local_server_thread = threading.Thread(target=start_server, args=[True], daemon=True)
+        local_server_thread.start()
+        while not is_connected:
+            # todo: add timeout
+            # is_connected = found_proxy.check_connection()
+            time.sleep(1)
+
+    new_job = {"name": job_name, "engine": args.engine}
+    response = found_proxy.post_job_to_server(file_path, [new_job])
+    if response and response.ok:
+        print(f"Uploaded to {found_proxy.hostname} successfully!")
+        running_job_data = response.json()[0]
+        job_id = running_job_data.get('id')
+        print(f"Job {job_id} Summary:")
+        print(f"  Status           : {running_job_data.get('status')}")
+        print(f"  Engine           : {running_job_data.get('engine')}-{running_job_data.get('engine_version')}")
+
+        print("\nWaiting for render to complete...")
+        percent_complete = 0.0
+        while percent_complete < 1.0:
+            # add checks for errors
+            time.sleep(1)
+            running_job_data = found_proxy.get_job_info(job_id)
+            percent_complete = running_job_data['percent_complete']
+            sys.stdout.write("\x1b[1A")  # Move up 1
+            sys.stdout.write("\x1b[0J")  # Clear from cursor to end of screen (optional)
+            print(f"Percent Complete: {percent_complete:.2%}")
+            sys.stdout.flush()
+        print("Finished rendering successfully!")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

client.py

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import logging
+import threading
+from collections import deque
+
+from server import start_server
+
+logger = logging.getLogger()
+
+def __setup_buffer_handler():
+    # lazy load GUI frameworks
+    from PyQt6.QtCore import QObject, pyqtSignal
+
+    class BufferingHandler(logging.Handler, QObject):
+        new_record = pyqtSignal(str)
+
+        def __init__(self, capacity=100):
+            logging.Handler.__init__(self)
+            QObject.__init__(self)
+            self.buffer = deque(maxlen=capacity)  # Define a buffer with a fixed capacity
+
+        def emit(self, record):
+            try:
+                msg = self.format(record)
+                self.buffer.append(msg)  # Add message to the buffer
+                self.new_record.emit(msg)  # Emit signal
+            except RuntimeError:
+                pass
+
+        def get_buffer(self):
+            return list(self.buffer)  # Return a copy of the buffer
+
+    buffer_handler = BufferingHandler()
+    buffer_handler.setFormatter(logging.getLogger().handlers[0].formatter)
+    new_logger = logging.getLogger()
+    new_logger.addHandler(buffer_handler)
+    return buffer_handler
+
+
+def __show_gui(buffer_handler):
+    # lazy load GUI frameworks
+    from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    # load application
+    app: QApplication = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    if app.style().objectName() != 'macos':
+        app.setStyle('Fusion')
+
+    # configure main window
+    from src.ui.main_window import MainWindow
+    window: MainWindow = MainWindow()
+    window.buffer_handler = buffer_handler
+    window.show()
+
+    return app.exec()
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    import sys
+
+    local_server_thread = threading.Thread(target=start_server, args=[True], daemon=True)
+    local_server_thread.start()
+    __show_gui(__setup_buffer_handler())
+    sys.exit()

client.spec

@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@ from PyInstaller.utils.hooks import collect_all
 import os
 import sys
 import platform
-sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
+src_path = os.path.abspath("src")
+sys.path.insert(0, src_path)
 from version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_AUTHOR
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
 
 datas = [('resources', 'resources'), ('src/engines/blender/scripts/', 'src/engines/blender/scripts')]
 binaries = []
@@ -16,7 +18,7 @@ datas += tmp_ret[0]; binaries += tmp_ret[1]; hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
 
 
 a = Analysis(
-    ['main.py'],
+    ['client.py'],
     pathex=[],
     binaries=binaries,
     datas=datas,
@@ -55,7 +57,7 @@ if platform.system() == 'Darwin':  # macOS
         a.datas,
         strip=True,
         name=f'{APP_NAME}.app',
-        icon=None,
+        icon='resources/Server.png',
         bundle_identifier=None,
         version=APP_VERSION
     )

job_launcher.py

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+
+import argparse
+import logging
+import os
+import socket
+import sys
+import threading
+import time
+
+from server import start_server
+from src.api.serverproxy_manager import ServerProxyManager
+
+logger = logging.getLogger()
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+        description="Zordon CLI tool for preparing/submitting a render job",
+        formatter_class=argparse.ArgumentDefaultsHelpFormatter
+    )
+
+    # Required arguments
+    parser.add_argument("scene_file", help="Path to the scene file (e.g., .blend, .max, .mp4)")
+    parser.add_argument("engine", help="Desired render engine", choices=['blender', 'ffmpeg'])
+
+    # Frame range
+    parser.add_argument("--start", type=int, default=1, help="Start frame")
+    parser.add_argument("--end", type=int, default=1, help="End frame")
+
+    # Job metadata
+    parser.add_argument("--name", default=None, help="Job name")
+
+    # Output
+    parser.add_argument("--output", default="", help="Output path/pattern (e.g., /renders/frame_####.exr)")
+
+    # Target OS and Engine Version
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--os",
+        choices=["any", "windows", "linux", "macos"],
+        default="any",
+        help="Target operating system for render workers"
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--engine-version",
+        default="latest",
+        help="Required renderer/engine version number (e.g., '4.2', '5.0')"
+    )
+
+    # Optional flags
+    parser.add_argument("--dry-run", action="store_true", help="Print job details without submitting")
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    # Basic validation
+    if not os.path.exists(args.scene_file):
+        print(f"Error: Scene file '{args.scene_file}' not found!", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    if args.start > args.end:
+        print("Error: Start frame cannot be greater than end frame!", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    # Calculate total frames
+    total_frames = len(range(args.start, args.end + 1))
+    job_name = args.name or os.path.basename(args.scene_file)
+    file_path = os.path.abspath(args.scene_file)
+
+    # Print job summary
+    print("Render Job Summary:")
+    print(f"  Job Name         : {job_name}")
+    print(f"  Scene File       : {file_path}")
+    print(f"  Engine           : {args.engine}")
+    print(f"  Frames           : {args.start}-{args.end} → {total_frames} frames")
+    print(f"  Output Path      : {args.output or '(default from scene)'}")
+    print(f"  Target OS        : {args.os}")
+    print(f"  Engine Version   : {args.engine_version}")
+
+    if args.dry_run:
+        print("\nDry run complete (no submission performed).")
+        return
+
+    local_hostname = socket.gethostname()
+    local_hostname = local_hostname + (".local" if not local_hostname.endswith(".local") else "")
+    found_proxy = ServerProxyManager.get_proxy_for_hostname(local_hostname)
+
+    is_connected = found_proxy.check_connection()
+    if not is_connected:
+        local_server_thread = threading.Thread(target=start_server, args=[True], daemon=True)
+        local_server_thread.start()
+        while not is_connected:
+            # todo: add timeout
+            # is_connected = found_proxy.check_connection()
+            time.sleep(1)
+
+    new_job = {"name": job_name, "renderer": args.engine}
+    response = found_proxy.post_job_to_server(file_path, [new_job])
+    if response and response.ok:
+        print(f"Uploaded to {found_proxy.hostname} successfully!")
+        running_job_data = response.json()[0]
+        job_id = running_job_data.get('id')
+        print(f"Job {job_id} Summary:")
+        print(f"  Status           : {running_job_data.get('status')}")
+        print(f"  Engine           : {running_job_data.get('renderer')}-{running_job_data.get('renderer_version')}")
+
+        print("\nWaiting for render to complete...")
+        percent_complete = 0.0
+        while percent_complete < 1.0:
+            # add checks for errors
+            time.sleep(1)
+            running_job_data = found_proxy.get_job_info(job_id)
+            percent_complete = running_job_data['percent_complete']
+            sys.stdout.write("\x1b[1A")  # Move up 1
+            sys.stdout.write("\x1b[0J")  # Clear from cursor to end of screen (optional)
+            print(f"Percent Complete: {percent_complete:.2%}")
+            sys.stdout.flush()
+        print("Finished rendering successfully!")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

main.py

@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
-
-from src import init
-
-if __name__ == '__main__':
-    import sys
-    sys.exit(init.run())

requirements.txt

@@ -36,3 +36,6 @@ lxml>=5.1.0
 click>=8.1.7
 requests_toolbelt>=1.0.0
 pyinstaller_versionfile>=2.1.1
+py-cpuinfo~=9.0.0
+requests-toolbelt~=1.0.0
+ifaddr~=0.2.0

server.py

@@ -1,5 +1,140 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import logging
-from init import run
+import multiprocessing
+import os
+import socket
+import sys
+import threading
+
+import cpuinfo
+import psutil
+
+from src.api.api_server import API_VERSION
+from src.api.api_server import start_api_server
+from src.api.preview_manager import PreviewManager
+from src.api.serverproxy_manager import ServerProxyManager
+from src.distributed_job_manager import DistributedJobManager
+from src.engines.engine_manager import EngineManager
+from src.render_queue import RenderQueue
+from src.utilities.config import Config
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import (get_gpu_info, system_safe_path, current_system_cpu, current_system_os,
+                                       current_system_os_version, check_for_updates)
+from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
+from src.version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER
+
+logger = logging.getLogger()
+
+
+def start_server(skip_updates=False) -> int:
+    """Initializes the application and runs it.
+
+    Args:
+        server_only: Run in server-only CLI mode. Default is False (runs in GUI mode).
+
+    Returns:
+        int: The exit status code.
+    """
+
+    def existing_process(process_name):
+        import psutil
+        current_pid = os.getpid()
+        current_process = psutil.Process(current_pid)
+        for proc in psutil.process_iter(['pid', 'name', 'ppid']):
+            proc_name = proc.info['name'].lower().rstrip('.exe')
+            if proc_name == process_name.lower() and proc.info['pid'] != current_pid:
+                if proc.info['pid'] == current_process.ppid():
+                    continue  # parent process
+                elif proc.info['ppid'] == current_pid:
+                    continue  # child process
+                else:
+                    return proc  # unrelated process
+        return None
+
+    # setup logging
+    logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s: %(levelname)s: %(module)s: %(message)s', datefmt='%d-%b-%y %H:%M:%S',
+                        level=Config.server_log_level.upper())
+    logging.getLogger("requests").setLevel(logging.WARNING)  # suppress noisy requests/urllib3 logging
+    logging.getLogger("urllib3").setLevel(logging.WARNING)
+
+    # check for existing instance
+    existing_proc = existing_process(APP_NAME)
+    if existing_proc:
+        logger.fatal(f"Another instance of {APP_NAME} is already running (pid: {existing_proc.pid})")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    # check for updates
+    if not skip_updates:
+        update_thread = threading.Thread(target=check_for_updates, args=(APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER, APP_NAME,
+                                                                         APP_VERSION))
+        update_thread.start()
+
+    # main start
+    logger.info(f"Starting {APP_NAME} Render Server")
+    return_code = 0
+    try:
+        # Load Config YAML
+        Config.setup_config_dir()
+        Config.load_config(system_safe_path(os.path.join(Config.config_dir(), 'config.yaml')))
+
+        # configure default paths
+        EngineManager.engines_path = system_safe_path(
+            os.path.join(os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder),
+                                      'engines')))
+        os.makedirs(EngineManager.engines_path, exist_ok=True)
+        PreviewManager.storage_path = system_safe_path(
+            os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder), 'previews'))
+
+        # Debug info
+        logger.debug(f"Upload directory: {os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder)}")
+        logger.debug(f"Thumbs directory: {PreviewManager.storage_path}")
+        logger.debug(f"Engines directory: {EngineManager.engines_path}")
+
+        # Set up the RenderQueue object
+        RenderQueue.load_state(database_directory=system_safe_path(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder)))
+        ServerProxyManager.subscribe_to_listener()
+        DistributedJobManager.subscribe_to_listener()
+
+        # check for updates for render engines if configured or on first launch
+        if Config.update_engines_on_launch or not EngineManager.get_engines():
+            EngineManager.update_all_engines()
+
+        # get hostname
+        local_hostname = socket.gethostname()
+
+        # configure and start API server
+        api_server = threading.Thread(target=start_api_server, args=(local_hostname,))
+        api_server.daemon = True
+        api_server.start()
+
+        # start zeroconf server
+        ZeroconfServer.configure(f"_{APP_NAME.lower()}._tcp.local.", local_hostname, Config.port_number)
+        ZeroconfServer.properties = {'system_cpu': current_system_cpu(),
+                                     'system_cpu_brand': cpuinfo.get_cpu_info()['brand_raw'],
+                                     'system_cpu_cores': multiprocessing.cpu_count(),
+                                     'system_os': current_system_os(),
+                                     'system_os_version': current_system_os_version(),
+                                     'system_memory': round(psutil.virtual_memory().total / (1024**3)),  # in GB
+                                     'gpu_info': get_gpu_info(),
+                                     'api_version': API_VERSION}
+        ZeroconfServer.start()
+        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server started - Hostname: {local_hostname}")
+        RenderQueue.start()  # Start evaluating the render queue
+        api_server.join()
+
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        pass
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.error(f"Unhandled exception: {e}")
+        return_code = 1
+    finally:
+        # shut down gracefully
+        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server is preparing to shut down")
+        try:
+            RenderQueue.prepare_for_shutdown()
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.exception(f"Exception during prepare for shutdown: {e}")
+        ZeroconfServer.stop()
+        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server has shut down")
+        return sys.exit(return_code)
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    run(server_only=True)
+    start_server()

server.spec

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+# -*- mode: python ; coding: utf-8 -*-
+from PyInstaller.utils.hooks import collect_all
+
+# - get version from version file
+import os
+import sys
+import platform
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
+from version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_AUTHOR
+
+APP_NAME = APP_NAME + " Server"
+datas = [('resources', 'resources'), ('src/engines/blender/scripts/', 'src/engines/blender/scripts')]
+binaries = []
+hiddenimports = ['zeroconf']
+tmp_ret = collect_all('zeroconf')
+datas += tmp_ret[0]; binaries += tmp_ret[1]; hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
+
+
+a = Analysis(
+    ['server.py'],
+    pathex=[],
+    binaries=binaries,
+    datas=datas,
+    hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
+    hookspath=[],
+    hooksconfig={},
+    runtime_hooks=[],
+    excludes=[],
+    noarchive=False,
+    optimize=1,  # fyi: optim level 2 breaks on windows
+)
+pyz = PYZ(a.pure)
+
+if platform.system() == 'Windows':
+
+    import pyinstaller_versionfile
+    import tempfile
+
+    version_file_path = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), 'versionfile.txt')
+
+    pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
+        output_file=version_file_path,
+        version=APP_VERSION,
+        company_name=APP_AUTHOR,
+        file_description=APP_NAME,
+        internal_name=APP_NAME,
+        legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
+        original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
+        product_name=APP_NAME
+    )
+
+    exe = EXE(
+        pyz,
+        a.scripts,
+        a.binaries,
+        a.datas,
+        [],
+        name=APP_NAME,
+        debug=False,
+        bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
+        strip=True,
+        upx=True,
+        console=True,
+        disable_windowed_traceback=False,
+        argv_emulation=False,
+        target_arch=None,
+        codesign_identity=None,
+        entitlements_file=None,
+        version=version_file_path
+    )
+
+else:  # linux / macOS
+    exe = EXE(
+        pyz,
+        a.scripts,
+        a.binaries,
+        a.datas,
+        [],
+        name=APP_NAME,
+        debug=False,
+        bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
+        strip=True,
+        upx=True,
+        console=False,
+        disable_windowed_traceback=False,
+        argv_emulation=False,
+        target_arch=None,
+        codesign_identity=None,
+        entitlements_file=None
+    )

src/api/add_job_helpers.py

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def handle_uploaded_project_files(request, jobs_list, upload_directory):
     uploaded_project = request.files.get('file', None)
     project_url = jobs_list[0].get('url', None)
     local_path = jobs_list[0].get('local_path', None)
-    renderer = jobs_list[0].get('renderer')
+    renderer = jobs_list[0]['renderer']
     downloaded_file_url = None
 
     if uploaded_project and uploaded_project.filename:
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def handle_uploaded_project_files(request, jobs_list, upload_directory):
     # Prepare the local filepath
     cleaned_path_name = jobs_list[0].get('name', os.path.splitext(referred_name)[0]).replace(' ', '-')
     job_dir = os.path.join(upload_directory, '-'.join(
-        [datetime.now().strftime("%Y.%m.%d_%H.%M.%S"), renderer, cleaned_path_name]))
+        [datetime.now().strftime("%Y.%m.%d_%H.%M.%S"), engine_name, cleaned_path_name]))
     os.makedirs(job_dir, exist_ok=True)
     project_source_dir = os.path.join(job_dir, 'source')
     os.makedirs(project_source_dir, exist_ok=True)
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ def process_zipped_project(zip_path):
 
         logger.debug(f"Zip files: {project_files}")
 
-        # supported_exts = RenderWorkerFactory.class_for_name(renderer).engine.supported_extensions
+        # supported_exts = RenderWorkerFactory.class_for_name(engine).engine.supported_extensions
         # if supported_exts:
         #     project_files = [file for file in project_files if any(file.endswith(ext) for ext in supported_exts)]
 

src/api/api_server.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import tempfile
 import time
 from datetime import datetime
 
+import cpuinfo
 import psutil
 import yaml
 from flask import Flask, request, send_file, after_this_request, Response, redirect, url_for
@@ -23,15 +24,17 @@ from src.engines.engine_manager import EngineManager
 from src.render_queue import RenderQueue, JobNotFoundError
 from src.utilities.config import Config
 from src.utilities.misc_helper import system_safe_path, current_system_os, current_system_cpu, \
-    current_system_os_version, num_to_alphanumeric
+    current_system_os_version, num_to_alphanumeric, get_gpu_info
 from src.utilities.status_utils import string_to_status
+from src.version import APP_VERSION
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 server = Flask(__name__)
 ssl._create_default_https_context = ssl._create_unverified_context  # disable SSL for downloads
 
+API_VERSION = "1"
 
-def start_server(hostname=None):
+def start_api_server(hostname=None):
 
     # get hostname
     if not hostname:
@@ -228,6 +231,7 @@ def status():
             "system_os": current_system_os(),
             "system_os_version": current_system_os_version(),
             "system_cpu": current_system_cpu(),
+            "system_cpu_brand": cpuinfo.get_cpu_info()['brand_raw'],
             "cpu_percent": psutil.cpu_percent(percpu=False),
             "cpu_percent_per_cpu": psutil.cpu_percent(percpu=True),
             "cpu_count": psutil.cpu_count(logical=False),
@@ -236,7 +240,9 @@ def status():
             "memory_percent": psutil.virtual_memory().percent,
             "job_counts": RenderQueue.job_counts(),
             "hostname": server.config['HOSTNAME'],
-            "port": server.config['PORT']
+            "port": server.config['PORT'],
+            "app_version": APP_VERSION,
+            "api_version": API_VERSION
             }
 
 
@@ -334,8 +340,8 @@ def delete_job(job_id):
 # Engine Info and Management:
 # --------------------------------------------
 
-@server.get('/api/renderer_info')
+@server.get('/api/engine_info')
-def renderer_info():
+def engine_info():
     response_type = request.args.get('response_type', 'standard')
     if response_type not in ['full', 'standard']:
         raise ValueError(f"Invalid response_type: {response_type}")
@@ -373,19 +379,19 @@ def renderer_info():
             return result
 
         except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f'Error fetching details for {engine.name()} renderer: {e}')
+            logger.error(f"Error fetching details for engine '{engine.name()}': {e}")
             raise e
 
-    renderer_data = {}
+    engine_data = {}
     with concurrent.futures.ThreadPoolExecutor() as executor:
         futures = {executor.submit(process_engine, engine): engine.name() for engine in EngineManager.supported_engines()}
 
         for future in concurrent.futures.as_completed(futures):
             result = future.result()
             if result:
-                renderer_data.update(result)
+                engine_data.update(result)
 
-    return renderer_data
+    return engine_data
 
 
 @server.get('/api/<engine_name>/is_available')
@@ -436,27 +442,31 @@ def delete_engine_download():
         (f"Error deleting {json_data.get('engine')} {json_data.get('version')}", 500)
 
 
-@server.get('/api/renderer/<renderer>/args')
+@server.get('/api/engine/<engine_name>/args')
-def get_renderer_args(renderer):
+def get_engine_args(engine_name):
     try:
-        renderer_engine_class = EngineManager.engine_with_name(renderer)
+        engine_class = EngineManager.engine_with_name(engine_name)
-        return renderer_engine_class().get_arguments()
+        return engine_class().get_arguments()
     except LookupError:
-        return f"Cannot find renderer '{renderer}'", 400
+        return f"Cannot find engine '{engine_name}'", 400
 
 
-@server.get('/api/renderer/<renderer>/help')
+@server.get('/api/engine/<engine_name>/help')
-def get_renderer_help(renderer):
+def get_engine_help(engine_name):
     try:
-        renderer_engine_class = EngineManager.engine_with_name(renderer)
+        engine_class = EngineManager.engine_with_name(engine_name)
-        return renderer_engine_class().get_help()
+        return engine_class().get_help()
     except LookupError:
-        return f"Cannot find renderer '{renderer}'", 400
+        return f"Cannot find engine '{engine_name}'", 400
 
 
 # --------------------------------------------
 # Miscellaneous:
 # --------------------------------------------
+@server.get('/api/heartbeat')
+def heartbeat():
+    return datetime.now().isoformat(), 200
+
 @server.post('/api/job/<job_id>/send_subjob_update_notification')
 def subjob_update_notification(job_id):
     subjob_details = request.json

src/api/preview_manager.py

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class PreviewManager:
     _running_jobs = {}
 
     @classmethod
-    def __generate_job_preview_worker(cls, job, replace_existing=False, max_width=320):
+    def __generate_job_preview_worker(cls, job, replace_existing=False, max_width=480):
 
         # Determine best source file to use for thumbs
         job_file_list = job.file_list()

src/api/server_proxy.py

@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ categories = [RenderStatus.RUNNING, RenderStatus.WAITING_FOR_SUBJOBS, RenderStat
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 OFFLINE_MAX = 4
-LOOPBACK = '127.0.0.1'
 
 
 class RenderServerProxy:
@@ -46,6 +45,7 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
         self.system_cpu_count = None
         self.system_os = None
         self.system_os_version = None
+        self.system_api_version = None
 
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Basics / Connection:
@@ -54,14 +54,18 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
     def __repr__(self):
         return f"<RenderServerProxy - {self.hostname}>"
 
-    def connect(self):
+    def check_connection(self):
-        return self.status()
+        try:
+            return self.request("heartbeat").ok
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        return False
 
     def is_online(self):
         if self.__update_in_background:
             return self.__offline_flags < OFFLINE_MAX
         else:
-            return self.get_status() is not None
+            return self.check_connection()
 
     def status(self):
         if not self.is_online():
@@ -100,8 +104,9 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
         return None
 
     def request(self, payload, timeout=5):
-        hostname = LOOPBACK if self.is_localhost else self.hostname
+        from src.api.api_server import API_VERSION
-        return requests.get(f'http://{hostname}:{self.port}/api/{payload}', timeout=timeout)
+        return requests.get(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}/api/{payload}', timeout=timeout,
+                            headers={"X-API-Version": str(API_VERSION)})
 
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Background Updates:
@@ -162,6 +167,7 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
             self.system_cpu_count = status['cpu_count']
             self.system_os = status['system_os']
             self.system_os_version = status['system_os_version']
+            self.system_api_version = status['api_version']
         return status
 
     # --------------------------------------------
@@ -199,7 +205,7 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
             if self.is_localhost:
                 jobs_with_path = [{'local_path': file_path, **item} for item in job_list]
                 job_data = json.dumps(jobs_with_path)
-                url = urljoin(f'http://{LOOPBACK}:{self.port}', '/api/add_job')
+                url = urljoin(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}', '/api/add_job')
                 headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/json'}
                 return requests.post(url, data=job_data, headers=headers)
 
@@ -241,32 +247,32 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
         Returns:
             Response: The response from the server.
         """
-        hostname = LOOPBACK if self.is_localhost else self.hostname
+        return requests.post(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}/api/job/{parent_id}/send_subjob_update_notification',
-        return requests.post(f'http://{hostname}:{self.port}/api/job/{parent_id}/send_subjob_update_notification',
                              json=subjob.json())
 
     # --------------------------------------------
-    # Renderers:
+    # Engines:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
     def is_engine_available(self, engine_name):
         return self.request_data(f'{engine_name}/is_available')
 
     def get_all_engines(self):
+        # todo: this doesnt work
         return self.request_data('all_engines')
 
-    def get_renderer_info(self, response_type='standard', timeout=5):
+    def get_engine_info(self, response_type='standard', timeout=5):
         """
-        Fetches renderer information from the server.
+        Fetches engine information from the server.
 
         Args:
-            response_type (str, optional): Returns standard or full version of renderer info
+            response_type (str, optional): Returns standard or full version of engine info
             timeout (int, optional): The number of seconds to wait for a response from the server. Defaults to 5.
 
         Returns:
-            dict: A dictionary containing the renderer information.
+            dict: A dictionary containing the engine information.
         """
-        all_data = self.request_data(f"renderer_info?response_type={response_type}", timeout=timeout)
+        all_data = self.request_data(f"engine_info?response_type={response_type}", timeout=timeout)
         return all_data
 
     def delete_engine(self, engine, version, system_cpu=None):
@@ -282,21 +288,18 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
             Response: The response from the server.
         """
         form_data = {'engine': engine, 'version': version, 'system_cpu': system_cpu}
-        hostname = LOOPBACK if self.is_localhost else self.hostname
+        return requests.post(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}/api/delete_engine', json=form_data)
-        return requests.post(f'http://{hostname}:{self.port}/api/delete_engine', json=form_data)
 
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Download Files:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
     def download_all_job_files(self, job_id, save_path):
-        hostname = LOOPBACK if self.is_localhost else self.hostname
+        url = f"http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}/api/job/{job_id}/download_all"
-        url = f"http://{hostname}:{self.port}/api/job/{job_id}/download_all"
         return self.__download_file_from_url(url, output_filepath=save_path)
 
     def download_job_file(self, job_id, job_filename, save_path):
-        hostname = LOOPBACK if self.is_localhost else self.hostname
+        url = f"http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}/api/job/{job_id}/download?filename={job_filename}"
-        url = f"http://{hostname}:{self.port}/api/job/{job_id}/download?filename={job_filename}"
         return self.__download_file_from_url(url, output_filepath=save_path)
 
     @staticmethod

src/distributed_job_manager.py

@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
         logger.debug(f"New job output path: {output_path}")
 
         # create & configure jobs
-        worker = EngineManager.create_worker(renderer=new_job_attributes['renderer'],
+        worker = EngineManager.create_worker(engine_name=new_job_attributes['engine'],
                                              input_path=loaded_project_local_path,
                                              output_path=output_path,
                                              engine_version=new_job_attributes.get('engine_version'),
@@ -303,14 +303,14 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
 
         Args:
             parent_worker (Worker): The parent job what we're creating the subjobs for.
-            new_job_attributes (dict): Dict of desired attributes for new job (frame count, renderer, output path, etc)
+            new_job_attributes (dict): Dict of desired attributes for new job (frame count, engine, output path, etc)
             project_path (str): The path to the project.
             system_os (str, optional): Required OS. Default is any.
             specific_servers (list, optional): List of specific servers to split work between. Defaults to all found.
         """
 
         # Check availability
-        available_servers = specific_servers if specific_servers else cls.find_available_servers(parent_worker.renderer,
+        available_servers = specific_servers if specific_servers else cls.find_available_servers(parent_worker.engine_name,
                                                                                                  system_os)
         # skip if theres no external servers found
         external_servers = [x for x in available_servers if x['hostname'] != parent_worker.hostname]
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
         subjob['parent'] = f"{parent_worker.id}@{parent_worker.hostname}"
         subjob['start_frame'] = server_data['frame_range'][0]
         subjob['end_frame'] = server_data['frame_range'][-1]
-        subjob['engine_version'] = parent_worker.renderer_version
+        subjob['engine_version'] = parent_worker.engine_version
         logger.debug(f"Posting subjob with frames {subjob['start_frame']}-"
                      f"{subjob['end_frame']} to {server_hostname}")
         post_results = RenderServerProxy(server_hostname).post_job_to_server(
@@ -374,9 +374,11 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
         :param system_os: str, Restrict results to servers running a specific OS
         :return: A list of dictionaries with each dict containing hostname and cpu_count of available servers
         """
+        from api.api_server import API_VERSION
         available_servers = []
         for hostname in ZeroconfServer.found_hostnames():
             host_properties = ZeroconfServer.get_hostname_properties(hostname)
+            if host_properties.get('api_version') == API_VERSION:
                 if not system_os or (system_os and system_os == host_properties.get('system_os')):
                     response = RenderServerProxy(hostname).is_engine_available(engine_name)
                     if response and response.get('available', False):

src/engines/aerender/aerender_engine.py

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ class AERender(BaseRenderEngine):
     def version(self):
         version = None
         try:
-            render_path = self.renderer_path()
+            render_path = self.engine_path()
             if render_path:
                 ver_out = subprocess.check_output([render_path, '-version'], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT)
                 version = ver_out.decode('utf-8').split(" ")[-1].strip()

src/engines/blender/blender_engine.py

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
     def version(self):
         version = None
         try:
-            render_path = self.renderer_path()
+            render_path = self.engine_path()
             if render_path:
                 ver_out = subprocess.check_output([render_path, '-v'], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT,
                                                   creationflags=_creationflags)
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
     def run_python_expression(self, project_path, python_expression, timeout=None):
         if os.path.exists(project_path):
             try:
-                return subprocess.run([self.renderer_path(), '-b', project_path, '--python-expr', python_expression],
+                return subprocess.run([self.engine_path(), '-b', project_path, '--python-expr', python_expression],
                                       capture_output=True, timeout=timeout, creationflags=_creationflags)
             except Exception as e:
                 err_msg = f"Error running python expression in blender: {e}"
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
             raise FileNotFoundError(f'Python script not found: {script_path}')
 
         try:
-            command = [self.renderer_path(), '-b', '--python', script_path]
+            command = [self.engine_path(), '-b', '--python', script_path]
             if project_path:
                 command.insert(2, project_path)
             result = subprocess.run(command, capture_output=True, timeout=timeout, creationflags=_creationflags)
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
         return None
 
     def get_arguments(self):
-        help_text = subprocess.check_output([self.renderer_path(), '-h'], creationflags=_creationflags).decode('utf-8')
+        help_text = subprocess.check_output([self.engine_path(), '-h'], creationflags=_creationflags).decode('utf-8')
         lines = help_text.splitlines()
 
         options = {}
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
             logger.error("GPU data not found in the output.")
 
     def supported_render_engines(self):
-        engine_output = subprocess.run([self.renderer_path(), '-E', 'help'], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT,
+        engine_output = subprocess.run([self.engine_path(), '-E', 'help'], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT,
                                        capture_output=True, creationflags=_creationflags).stdout.decode('utf-8').strip()
         render_engines = [x.strip() for x in engine_output.split('Blender Engine Listing:')[-1].strip().splitlines()]
         return render_engines

src/engines/blender/blender_worker.py

@@ -26,11 +26,17 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
 
     def generate_worker_subprocess(self):
 
-        cmd = [self.renderer_path]
+        cmd = [self.engine_path]
         if self.args.get('background', True):  # optionally run render not in background
             cmd.append('-b')
         cmd.append(self.input_path)
 
+        # Set Render Engine
+        blender_engine = self.args.get('engine')
+        if blender_engine:
+            blender_engine = blender_engine.upper()
+            cmd.extend(['-E', blender_engine])
+
         # Start Python expressions - # todo: investigate splitting into separate 'setup' script
         cmd.append('--python-expr')
         python_exp = 'import bpy; bpy.context.scene.render.use_overwrite = False;'
@@ -40,8 +46,7 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
         if custom_camera:
             python_exp = python_exp + f"bpy.context.scene.camera = bpy.data.objects['{custom_camera}'];"
 
-        # Set Render Device (gpu/cpu/any)
+        # Set Render Device for Cycles (gpu/cpu/any)
-        blender_engine = self.args.get('engine', 'BLENDER_EEVEE').upper()
         if blender_engine == 'CYCLES':
             render_device = self.args.get('render_device', 'any').lower()
             if render_device not in {'any', 'gpu', 'cpu'}:
@@ -66,7 +71,7 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
         # Remove the extension only if it is not composed entirely of digits
         path_without_ext = main_part if not ext[1:].isdigit() else self.output_path
         path_without_ext += "_"
-        cmd.extend(['-E', blender_engine, '-o', path_without_ext, '-F', export_format])
+        cmd.extend(['-o', path_without_ext, '-F', export_format])
 
         # set frame range
         cmd.extend(['-s', self.start_frame, '-e', self.end_frame, '-a'])

src/engines/core/base_engine.py

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT = 5
 
 class BaseRenderEngine(object):
     """Base class for render engines. This class provides common functionality and structure for various rendering
-    engines. Create subclasses and override the methods marked below to add additional renderers
+    engines. Create subclasses and override the methods marked below to add additional engines
 
     Attributes:
         install_paths (list): A list of default installation paths where the render engine
@@ -24,13 +24,13 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
     # --------------------------------------------
 
     def __init__(self, custom_path=None):
-        self.custom_renderer_path = custom_path
+        self.custom_engine_path = custom_path
-        if not self.renderer_path() or not os.path.exists(self.renderer_path()):
+        if not self.engine_path() or not os.path.exists(self.engine_path()):
-            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot find path to renderer for {self.name()} instance: {self.renderer_path()}")
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot find path to engine for {self.name()} instance: {self.engine_path()}")
 
-        if not os.access(self.renderer_path(), os.X_OK):
+        if not os.access(self.engine_path(), os.X_OK):
-            logger.warning(f"Path is not executable. Setting permissions to 755 for {self.renderer_path()}")
+            logger.warning(f"Path is not executable. Setting permissions to 755 for {self.engine_path()}")
-            os.chmod(self.renderer_path(), 0o755)
+            os.chmod(self.engine_path(), 0o755)
 
     def version(self):
         """Return the version number as a string.
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
 
     @classmethod
     def get_output_formats(cls):
-        """Returns a list of available output formats supported by the renderer.
+        """Returns a list of available output formats supported by the engine.
 
         Returns:
             list[str]: A list of strings representing the available output formats.
@@ -83,20 +83,20 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
         return []
 
     def get_help(self):
-        """Retrieves the help documentation for the renderer.
+        """Retrieves the help documentation for the engine.
 
-        This method runs the renderer's help command (default: '-h') and captures the output.
+        This method runs the engine's help command (default: '-h') and captures the output.
-        Override this method if the renderer uses a different help flag.
+        Override this method if the engine uses a different help flag.
 
         Returns:
             str: The help documentation as a string.
 
         Raises:
-            FileNotFoundError: If the renderer path is not found.
+            FileNotFoundError: If the engine path is not found.
         """
-        path = self.renderer_path()
+        path = self.engine_path()
         if not path:
-            raise FileNotFoundError("renderer path not found")
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Engine path not found: {path}")
         creationflags = subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW if platform.system() == 'Windows' else 0
         help_doc = subprocess.check_output([path, '-h'], stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
                                            timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT, creationflags=creationflags).decode('utf-8')
@@ -141,15 +141,15 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
     # Do Not Override These Methods:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
-    def renderer_path(self):
+    def engine_path(self):
-        return self.custom_renderer_path or self.default_renderer_path()
+        return self.custom_engine_path or self.default_engine_path()
 
     @classmethod
     def name(cls):
         return str(cls.__name__).lower()
 
     @classmethod
-    def default_renderer_path(cls):
+    def default_engine_path(cls):
         path = None
         try:  # Linux and macOS
             path = subprocess.check_output(['which', cls.name()], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT).decode('utf-8').strip()

src/engines/core/base_worker.py

@@ -32,9 +32,9 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
     date_created = Column(DateTime)
     start_time = Column(DateTime, nullable=True)
     end_time = Column(DateTime, nullable=True)
-    renderer = Column(String)
+    engine_name = Column(String)
-    renderer_version = Column(String)
+    engine_version = Column(String)
-    renderer_path = Column(String)
+    engine_path = Column(String)
     priority = Column(Integer)
     project_length = Column(Integer)
     start_frame = Column(Integer)
@@ -46,8 +46,6 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
     file_hash = Column(String)
     _status = Column(String)
 
-    engine = None
-
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Required Overrides for Subclasses:
     # --------------------------------------------
@@ -57,7 +55,7 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
 
         if not ignore_extensions:
             if not any(ext in input_path for ext in self.engine.supported_extensions()):
-                err_meg = f'Cannot find valid project with supported file extension for {self.engine.name()} renderer'
+                err_meg = f"Cannot find valid project with supported file extension for '{self.engine.name()}'"
                 logger.error(err_meg)
                 raise ValueError(err_meg)
         if not self.engine:
@@ -74,10 +72,10 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
         self.output_path = output_path
         self.args = args or {}
         self.date_created = datetime.now()
-        self.renderer = self.engine.name()
+        self.engine_name = self.engine.name()
-        self.renderer_path = engine_path
+        self.engine_path = engine_path
-        self.renderer_version = self.engine(engine_path).version()
+        self.engine_version = self.engine(engine_path).version()
-        self.custom_renderer_path = None
+        self.custom_engine_path = None
         self.priority = priority
         self.parent = parent
         self.children = {}
@@ -116,17 +114,17 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
         raise NotImplementedError("generate_worker_subprocess not implemented")
 
     def _parse_stdout(self, line):
-        """Parses a line of standard output from the renderer.
+        """Parses a line of standard output from the engine.
 
         This method should be overridden in a subclass to implement the logic for processing
-        and interpreting a single line of output from the renderer's standard output stream.
+        and interpreting a single line of output from the engine's standard output stream.
 
         On frame completion, the subclass should:
             1. Update value of self.current_frame
             2. Call self._send_frame_complete_notification()
 
         Args:
-            line (str): A line of text from the renderer's standard output.
+            line (str): A line of text from the engine's standard output.
 
         Raises:
             NotImplementedError: If the method is not overridden in a subclass.
@@ -152,7 +150,7 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
     # --------------------------------------------
 
     def __repr__(self):
-        return f"<Job id:{self.id} p{self.priority} {self.renderer}-{self.renderer_version} '{self.name}' status:{self.status.value}>"
+        return f"<Job id:{self.id} p{self.priority} {self.engine_name}-{self.engine_version} '{self.name}' status:{self.status.value}>"
 
     @property
     def total_frames(self):
@@ -215,7 +213,7 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
             self.errors.append(msg)
             return
 
-        if not os.path.exists(self.renderer_path):
+        if not os.path.exists(self.engine_path):
             self.status = RenderStatus.ERROR
             msg = f'Cannot find render engine path for {self.engine.name()}'
             logger.error(msg)
@@ -269,14 +267,14 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
                 logger.error(err_msg)
                 self.errors.append(err_msg)
 
-            # handle instances where renderer exits ok but doesnt generate files
+            # handle instances where engine exits ok but doesnt generate files
             if not return_code and not file_count_has_increased:
                 err_msg = (f"{self.engine.name()} render exited ok, but file count has not increased. "
                            f"Count is still {len(self.file_list())}")
                 log_file.write(f'Error: {err_msg}\n\n')
                 self.errors.append(err_msg)
 
-            # only count the attempt as failed if renderer creates no output - reset counter on successful output
+            # only count the attempt as failed if engine creates no output - reset counter on successful output
             failed_attempts = 0 if file_count_has_increased else failed_attempts + 1
 
     def __run__wait_for_subjobs(self, logfile):
@@ -302,7 +300,7 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
         with open(self.log_path(), "a") as log_file:
 
             self.log_and_print(f"{self.start_time.isoformat()} - Starting "
-                               f"{self.engine.name()} {self.renderer_version} render job for {self.name} "
+                               f"{self.engine.name()} {self.engine_version} render job for {self.name} "
                                f"({self.input_path})", log_file)
             log_file.write(f"\n")
             if not self.children:
@@ -493,8 +491,8 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
             'file_hash': self.file_hash,
             'percent_complete': self.percent_complete(),
             'file_count': len(self.file_list()),
-            'renderer': self.renderer,
+            'engine': self.engine_name,
-            'renderer_version': self.renderer_version,
+            'engine_version': self.engine_version,
             'errors': getattr(self, 'errors', None),
             'start_frame': self.start_frame,
             'end_frame': self.end_frame,

src/engines/engine_manager.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger()
 
 
 class EngineManager:
-    """Class that manages different versions of installed renderers and handles fetching and downloading new versions,
+    """Class that manages different versions of installed render engines and handles fetching and downloading new versions,
     if possible.
     """
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class EngineManager:
                 'version': version or 'error',
                 'system_os': current_system_os(),
                 'cpu': current_system_cpu(),
-                'path': eng.default_renderer_path(),
+                'path': eng.default_engine_path(),
                 'type': 'system'
             }
 
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class EngineManager:
                 futures = {
                     executor.submit(fetch_engine_details, eng, include_corrupt): eng.name()
                     for eng in cls.supported_engines()
-                    if eng.default_renderer_path() and (not filter_name or filter_name == eng.name())
+                    if eng.default_engine_path() and (not filter_name or filter_name == eng.name())
                 }
 
                 for future in concurrent.futures.as_completed(futures):
@@ -235,14 +235,14 @@ class EngineManager:
 
 
     @classmethod
-    def create_worker(cls, renderer, input_path, output_path, engine_version=None, args=None, parent=None, name=None):
+    def create_worker(cls, engine_name, input_path, output_path, engine_version=None, args=None, parent=None, name=None):
 
-        worker_class = cls.engine_with_name(renderer).worker_class()
+        worker_class = cls.engine_with_name(engine_name).worker_class()
 
         # check to make sure we have versions installed
-        all_versions = cls.all_versions_for_engine(renderer)
+        all_versions = cls.all_versions_for_engine(engine_name)
         if not all_versions:
-            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot find any installed {renderer} engines")
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot find any installed '{engine_name}' engines")
 
         # Find the path to the requested engine version or use default
         engine_path = None
@@ -254,9 +254,9 @@ class EngineManager:
 
             # Download the required engine if not found locally
             if not engine_path:
-                download_result = cls.download_engine(renderer, engine_version)
+                download_result = cls.download_engine(engine_name, engine_version)
                 if not download_result:
-                    raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot download requested version: {renderer} {engine_version}")
+                    raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot download requested version: {engine_name} {engine_version}")
                 engine_path = download_result['path']
                 logger.info("Engine downloaded. Creating worker.")
         else:
@@ -300,6 +300,7 @@ class EngineDownloadWorker(threading.Thread):
         self.cpu = cpu
 
     def run(self):
+        try:
             existing_download = EngineManager.is_version_downloaded(self.engine, self.version, self.system_os, self.cpu,
                                                                     ignore_system=True)
             if existing_download:
@@ -310,7 +311,9 @@ class EngineDownloadWorker(threading.Thread):
             EngineManager.engine_with_name(self.engine).downloader().download_engine(
                 self.version, download_location=EngineManager.engines_path, system_os=self.system_os, cpu=self.cpu,
                 timeout=300)
-
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error in download worker: {e}")
+        finally:
             # remove itself from the downloader list
             EngineManager.download_tasks.remove(self)
 

src/engines/ffmpeg/ffmpeg_engine.py

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
         return FFMPEGUI.get_options(self)
 
     def supported_extensions(self):
-        help_text = (subprocess.check_output([self.renderer_path(), '-h', 'full'], stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
+        help_text = (subprocess.check_output([self.engine_path(), '-h', 'full'], stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
                                              creationflags=_creationflags).decode('utf-8'))
         found = re.findall(r'extensions that .* is allowed to access \(default "(.*)"', help_text)
         found_extensions = set()
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
     def version(self):
         version = None
         try:
-            ver_out = subprocess.check_output([self.renderer_path(), '-version'], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT,
+            ver_out = subprocess.check_output([self.engine_path(), '-version'], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT,
                                               creationflags=_creationflags).decode('utf-8')
             match = re.match(r".*version\s*([\w.*]+)\W*", ver_out)
             if match:
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
             return None
 
     def get_encoders(self):
-        raw_stdout = subprocess.check_output([self.renderer_path(), '-encoders'], stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+        raw_stdout = subprocess.check_output([self.engine_path(), '-encoders'], stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
                                              timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT, creationflags=_creationflags).decode('utf-8')
         pattern = r'(?P<type>[VASFXBD.]{6})\s+(?P<name>\S{2,})\s+(?P<description>.*)'
         encoders = [m.groupdict() for m in re.finditer(pattern, raw_stdout)]
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
 
     def get_all_formats(self):
         try:
-            formats_raw = subprocess.check_output([self.renderer_path(), '-formats'], stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            formats_raw = subprocess.check_output([self.engine_path(), '-formats'], stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
                                                   timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT,
                                                   creationflags=_creationflags).decode('utf-8')
             pattern = r'(?P<type>[DE]{1,2})\s+(?P<id>\S{2,})\s+(?P<name>.*)'
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
         # Extract the common extension using regex
         muxer_flag = 'muxer' if 'E' in ffmpeg_format['type'] else 'demuxer'
         format_detail_raw = subprocess.check_output(
-            [self.renderer_path(), '-hide_banner', '-h', f"{muxer_flag}={ffmpeg_format['id']}"],
+            [self.engine_path(), '-hide_banner', '-h', f"{muxer_flag}={ffmpeg_format['id']}"],
             creationflags=_creationflags).decode('utf-8')
         pattern = r"Common extensions: (\w+)"
         common_extensions = re.findall(pattern, format_detail_raw)
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
         return [x['id'] for x in self.get_all_formats() if 'E' in x['type'].upper()]
 
     def get_frame_count(self, path_to_file):
-        raw_stdout = subprocess.check_output([self.renderer_path(), '-i', path_to_file, '-map', '0:v:0', '-c', 'copy',
+        raw_stdout = subprocess.check_output([self.engine_path(), '-i', path_to_file, '-map', '0:v:0', '-c', 'copy',
                                               '-f', 'null', '-'], stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
                                              timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT, creationflags=_creationflags).decode('utf-8')
         match = re.findall(r'frame=\s*(\d+)', raw_stdout)
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
         return -1
 
     def get_arguments(self):
-        help_text = (subprocess.check_output([self.renderer_path(), '-h', 'long'], stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
+        help_text = (subprocess.check_output([self.engine_path(), '-h', 'long'], stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
                                              creationflags=_creationflags).decode('utf-8'))
         lines = help_text.splitlines()
 

src/engines/ffmpeg/ffmpeg_worker.py

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class FFMPEGRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
 
     def generate_worker_subprocess(self):
 
-        cmd = [self.renderer_path, '-y', '-stats', '-i', self.input_path]
+        cmd = [self.engine_path, '-y', '-stats', '-i', self.input_path]
 
         # Resize frame
         if self.args.get('x_resolution', None) and self.args.get('y_resolution', None):

src/init.py

@@ -1,197 +0,0 @@
-import logging
-import multiprocessing
-import os
-import socket
-import sys
-import threading
-from collections import deque
-from datetime import datetime
-
-from PyQt6.QtCore import QSettings
-
-from src.api.api_server import start_server
-from src.api.preview_manager import PreviewManager
-from src.api.serverproxy_manager import ServerProxyManager
-from src.distributed_job_manager import DistributedJobManager
-from src.engines.engine_manager import EngineManager
-from src.render_queue import RenderQueue
-from src.utilities.config import Config
-from src.utilities.misc_helper import (system_safe_path, current_system_cpu, current_system_os,
-                                       current_system_os_version, check_for_updates)
-from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
-from version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER, APP_AUTHOR
-
-logger = logging.getLogger()
-
-
-def run(server_only=False) -> int:
-    """Initializes the application and runs it.
-
-    Args:
-        server_only: Run in server-only CLI mode. Default is False (runs in GUI mode).
-
-    Returns:
-        int: The exit status code.
-    """
-
-    def existing_process(process_name):
-        import psutil
-        current_pid = os.getpid()
-        current_process = psutil.Process(current_pid)
-        for proc in psutil.process_iter(['pid', 'name', 'ppid']):
-            proc_name = proc.info['name'].lower().rstrip('.exe')
-            if proc_name == process_name.lower() and proc.info['pid'] != current_pid:
-                if proc.info['pid'] == current_process.ppid():
-                    continue  # parent process
-                elif proc.info['ppid'] == current_pid:
-                    continue  # child process
-                else:
-                    return proc  # unrelated process
-        return None
-
-    # setup logging
-    logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s: %(levelname)s: %(module)s: %(message)s', datefmt='%d-%b-%y %H:%M:%S',
-                        level=Config.server_log_level.upper())
-    logging.getLogger("requests").setLevel(logging.WARNING)  # suppress noisy requests/urllib3 logging
-    logging.getLogger("urllib3").setLevel(logging.WARNING)
-
-    # check for existing instance
-    existing_proc = existing_process(APP_NAME)
-    if existing_proc:
-        logger.fatal(f"Another instance of {APP_NAME} is already running (pid: {existing_proc.pid})")
-        sys.exit(1)
-
-    # Setup logging for console ui
-    buffer_handler = __setup_buffer_handler() if not server_only else None
-
-    # check for updates
-    update_thread = threading.Thread(target=check_for_updates, args=(APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER, APP_NAME,
-                                                                     APP_VERSION))
-    update_thread.start()
-
-    settings = QSettings(APP_AUTHOR, APP_NAME)
-
-    # main start
-    logger.info(f"Starting {APP_NAME} Render Server")
-    return_code = 0
-    try:
-        # Load Config YAML
-        Config.setup_config_dir()
-        Config.load_config(system_safe_path(os.path.join(Config.config_dir(), 'config.yaml')))
-
-        # configure default paths
-        EngineManager.engines_path = system_safe_path(
-            os.path.join(os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder),
-                                      'engines')))
-        os.makedirs(EngineManager.engines_path, exist_ok=True)
-        PreviewManager.storage_path = system_safe_path(
-            os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder), 'previews'))
-
-        # Debug info
-        logger.debug(f"Upload directory: {os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder)}")
-        logger.debug(f"Thumbs directory: {PreviewManager.storage_path}")
-        logger.debug(f"Engines directory: {EngineManager.engines_path}")
-
-        # Set up the RenderQueue object
-        RenderQueue.load_state(database_directory=system_safe_path(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder)))
-        ServerProxyManager.subscribe_to_listener()
-        DistributedJobManager.subscribe_to_listener()
-
-        # check for updates for render engines if configured
-        ignore_system = settings.value("engines_ignore_system_installs", False)
-        if settings.value('check_for_engine_updates_on_launch', False):
-            for engine in EngineManager.downloadable_engines():
-                if settings.value(f'engine_download-{engine.name()}', False):
-                    update_result = EngineManager.is_engine_update_available(engine, ignore_system_installs=ignore_system)
-                    EngineManager.download_engine(engine=engine.name(), version=update_result['version'],
-                                                  background=True,
-                                                  ignore_system=ignore_system)
-            settings.setValue("engines_last_update_time", datetime.now().isoformat())
-
-        # get hostname
-        local_hostname = socket.gethostname()
-        local_hostname = local_hostname + (".local" if not local_hostname.endswith(".local") else "")
-
-        # configure and start API server
-        api_server = threading.Thread(target=start_server, args=(local_hostname,))
-        api_server.daemon = True
-        api_server.start()
-
-        # start zeroconf server
-        ZeroconfServer.configure(f"_{APP_NAME.lower()}._tcp.local.", local_hostname, Config.port_number)
-        ZeroconfServer.properties = {'system_cpu': current_system_cpu(),
-                                     'system_cpu_cores': multiprocessing.cpu_count(),
-                                     'system_os': current_system_os(),
-                                     'system_os_version': current_system_os_version()}
-        ZeroconfServer.start()
-        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server started - Hostname: {local_hostname}")
-        RenderQueue.start()  # Start evaluating the render queue
-
-        # start in gui or server only (cli) mode
-        logger.debug(f"Launching in {'server only' if server_only else 'GUI'} mode")
-        if server_only:  # CLI only
-            api_server.join()
-        else:  # GUI
-            return_code = __show_gui(buffer_handler)
-
-    except KeyboardInterrupt:
-        pass
-    except Exception as e:
-        logging.error(f"Unhandled exception: {e}")
-        return_code = 1
-    finally:
-        # shut down gracefully
-        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server is preparing to shut down")
-        try:
-            RenderQueue.prepare_for_shutdown()
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.exception(f"Exception during prepare for shutdown: {e}")
-        ZeroconfServer.stop()
-        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server has shut down")
-        return sys.exit(return_code)
-
-
-def __setup_buffer_handler():
-    # lazy load GUI frameworks
-    from PyQt6.QtCore import QObject, pyqtSignal
-
-    class BufferingHandler(logging.Handler, QObject):
-        new_record = pyqtSignal(str)
-
-        def __init__(self, capacity=100):
-            logging.Handler.__init__(self)
-            QObject.__init__(self)
-            self.buffer = deque(maxlen=capacity)  # Define a buffer with a fixed capacity
-
-        def emit(self, record):
-            try:
-                msg = self.format(record)
-                self.buffer.append(msg)  # Add message to the buffer
-                self.new_record.emit(msg)  # Emit signal
-            except RuntimeError:
-                pass
-
-        def get_buffer(self):
-            return list(self.buffer)  # Return a copy of the buffer
-
-    buffer_handler = BufferingHandler()
-    buffer_handler.setFormatter(logging.getLogger().handlers[0].formatter)
-    new_logger = logging.getLogger()
-    new_logger.addHandler(buffer_handler)
-    return buffer_handler
-
-
-def __show_gui(buffer_handler):
-    # lazy load GUI frameworks
-    from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication
-
-    # load application
-    app: QApplication = QApplication(sys.argv)
-
-    # configure main window
-    from src.ui.main_window import MainWindow
-    window: MainWindow = MainWindow()
-    window.buffer_handler = buffer_handler
-    window.show()
-
-    return app.exec()

src/render_queue.py

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class RenderQueue:
         try:
             not_started = cls.jobs_with_status(RenderStatus.NOT_STARTED, priority_sorted=True)
             for job in not_started:
-                if cls.is_available_for_job(job.renderer, job.priority):
+                if cls.is_available_for_job(job.engine_name, job.priority):
                     cls.start_job(job)
 
             scheduled = cls.jobs_with_status(RenderStatus.SCHEDULED, priority_sorted=True)
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ class RenderQueue:
     @classmethod
     def renderer_instances(cls):
         from collections import Counter
-        all_instances = [x.renderer for x in cls.running_jobs()]
+        all_instances = [x.engine_name for x in cls.running_jobs()]
         return Counter(all_instances)
 
     @classmethod

src/ui/about_window.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt
 from PyQt6.QtGui import QPixmap
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QDialog, QVBoxLayout, QLabel, QDialogButtonBox, QHBoxLayout
 
-from version import *
+from src.version import *
 
 
 class AboutDialog(QDialog):

src/ui/add_job_window.py

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from requests import Response
 
 from src.api.server_proxy import RenderServerProxy
 from src.engines.engine_manager import EngineManager
-from src.ui.engine_help_viewer import EngineHelpViewer
+from src.ui.engine_help_window import EngineHelpViewer
 from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
 
 
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         self.notes_group = None
         self.frame_rate_input = None
         self.resolution_x_input = None
-        self.renderer_group = None
+        self.engine_group = None
         self.output_settings_group = None
         self.resolution_y_input = None
         self.project_path = project_path
@@ -34,17 +34,17 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         self.load_file_group = None
         self.current_engine_options = None
         self.file_format_combo = None
-        self.renderer_options_layout = None
+        self.engine_options_layout = None
         self.cameras_list = None
         self.cameras_group = None
-        self.renderer_version_combo = None
+        self.engine_version_combo = None
         self.worker_thread = None
         self.msg_box = None
         self.engine_help_viewer = None
         self.raw_args = None
         self.submit_progress_label = None
         self.submit_progress = None
-        self.renderer_type = None
+        self.engine_type = None
         self.process_label = None
         self.process_progress_bar = None
         self.splitjobs_same_os = None
@@ -62,13 +62,13 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
 
         # Job / Server Data
         self.server_proxy = RenderServerProxy(socket.gethostname())
-        self.renderer_info = None
+        self.engine_info = None
         self.project_info = None
 
         # Setup
         self.setWindowTitle("New Job")
         self.setup_ui()
-        self.update_renderer_info()
+        self.update_engine_info()
         self.setup_project()
 
         # get renderer info in bg thread
@@ -182,33 +182,33 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         # add group to layout
         main_layout.addWidget(self.output_settings_group)
 
-        # Renderer Group
+        # Engine Group
-        self.renderer_group = QGroupBox("Renderer Settings")
+        self.engine_group = QGroupBox("Engine Settings")
-        renderer_group_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.renderer_group)
+        engine_group_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.engine_group)
-        renderer_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        engine_layout = QHBoxLayout()
-        renderer_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Renderer:"))
+        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Engine:"))
-        self.renderer_type = QComboBox()
+        self.engine_type = QComboBox()
-        self.renderer_type.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.renderer_changed)
+        self.engine_type.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.engine_changed)
-        renderer_layout.addWidget(self.renderer_type)
+        engine_layout.addWidget(self.engine_type)
         # Version
-        renderer_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Version:"))
+        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Version:"))
-        self.renderer_version_combo = QComboBox()
+        self.engine_version_combo = QComboBox()
-        self.renderer_version_combo.addItem('latest')
+        self.engine_version_combo.addItem('latest')
-        renderer_layout.addWidget(self.renderer_version_combo)
+        engine_layout.addWidget(self.engine_version_combo)
-        renderer_group_layout.addLayout(renderer_layout)
+        engine_group_layout.addLayout(engine_layout)
         # dynamic options
-        self.renderer_options_layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        self.engine_options_layout = QVBoxLayout()
-        renderer_group_layout.addLayout(self.renderer_options_layout)
+        engine_group_layout.addLayout(self.engine_options_layout)
         # Raw Args
-        raw_args_layout = QHBoxLayout(self.renderer_group)
+        raw_args_layout = QHBoxLayout(self.engine_group)
         raw_args_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Raw Args:"))
         self.raw_args = QLineEdit()
         raw_args_layout.addWidget(self.raw_args)
         args_help_button = QPushButton("?")
         args_help_button.clicked.connect(self.args_help_button_clicked)
         raw_args_layout.addWidget(args_help_button)
-        renderer_group_layout.addLayout(raw_args_layout)
+        engine_group_layout.addLayout(raw_args_layout)
-        main_layout.addWidget(self.renderer_group)
+        main_layout.addWidget(self.engine_group)
 
         # Cameras Group
         self.cameras_group = QGroupBox("Cameras")
@@ -240,28 +240,28 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         self.submit_progress_label.setHidden(True)
         main_layout.addWidget(self.submit_progress_label)
 
-        self.toggle_renderer_enablement(False)
+        self.toggle_engine_enablement(False)
 
-    def update_renderer_info(self):
+    def update_engine_info(self):
-        # get the renderer info and add them all to the ui
+        # get the engine info and add them all to the ui
-        self.renderer_info = self.server_proxy.get_renderer_info(response_type='full')
+        self.engine_info = self.server_proxy.get_engine_info(response_type='full')
-        self.renderer_type.addItems(self.renderer_info.keys())
+        self.engine_type.addItems(self.engine_info.keys())
-        # select the best renderer for the file type
+        # select the best engine for the file type
         engine = EngineManager.engine_for_project_path(self.project_path)
-        self.renderer_type.setCurrentText(engine.name().lower())
+        self.engine_type.setCurrentText(engine.name().lower())
         # refresh ui
-        self.renderer_changed()
+        self.engine_changed()
 
-    def renderer_changed(self):
+    def engine_changed(self):
         # load the version numbers
-        current_renderer = self.renderer_type.currentText().lower() or self.renderer_type.itemText(0)
+        current_engine = self.engine_type.currentText().lower() or self.engine_type.itemText(0)
-        self.renderer_version_combo.clear()
+        self.engine_version_combo.clear()
-        self.renderer_version_combo.addItem('latest')
+        self.engine_version_combo.addItem('latest')
         self.file_format_combo.clear()
-        if current_renderer:
+        if current_engine:
-            renderer_vers = [version_info['version'] for version_info in self.renderer_info[current_renderer]['versions']]
+            engine_vers = [version_info['version'] for version_info in self.engine_info[current_engine]['versions']]
-            self.renderer_version_combo.addItems(renderer_vers)
+            self.engine_version_combo.addItems(engine_vers)
-            self.file_format_combo.addItems(self.renderer_info[current_renderer]['supported_export_formats'])
+            self.file_format_combo.addItems(self.engine_info[current_engine]['supported_export_formats'])
 
     def update_server_list(self):
         clients = ZeroconfServer.found_hostnames()
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         # UI stuff on main thread
         self.process_progress_bar.setHidden(False)
         self.process_label.setHidden(False)
-        self.toggle_renderer_enablement(False)
+        self.toggle_engine_enablement(False)
 
         output_name, _ = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(self.scene_file_input.text()))
         output_name = output_name.replace(' ', '_')
@@ -296,8 +296,8 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
             self.render_name_input.setText(directory)
 
     def args_help_button_clicked(self):
-        url = (f'http://{self.server_proxy.hostname}:{self.server_proxy.port}/api/renderer/'
+        url = (f'http://{self.server_proxy.hostname}:{self.server_proxy.port}/api/engine/'
-               f'{self.renderer_type.currentText()}/help')
+               f'{self.engine_type.currentText()}/help')
         self.engine_help_viewer = EngineHelpViewer(url)
         self.engine_help_viewer.show()
 
@@ -306,20 +306,20 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
     def post_get_project_info_update(self):
         """Called by the GetProjectInfoWorker - Do not call directly."""
         try:
-            # Set the best renderer we can find
+            # Set the best engine we can find
             input_path = self.scene_file_input.text()
             engine = EngineManager.engine_for_project_path(input_path)
 
-            engine_index = self.renderer_type.findText(engine.name().lower())
+            engine_index = self.engine_type.findText(engine.name().lower())
             if engine_index >= 0:
-                self.renderer_type.setCurrentIndex(engine_index)
+                self.engine_type.setCurrentIndex(engine_index)
             else:
-                self.renderer_type.setCurrentIndex(0)  #todo: find out why we don't have renderer info yet
+                self.engine_type.setCurrentIndex(0)  #todo: find out why we don't have engine info yet
-                # not ideal but if we don't have the renderer info we have to pick something
+                # not ideal but if we don't have the engine info we have to pick something
 
             # cleanup progress UI
             self.load_file_group.setHidden(True)
-            self.toggle_renderer_enablement(True)
+            self.toggle_engine_enablement(True)
 
             # Load scene data
             self.start_frame_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('frame_start'))
@@ -347,9 +347,9 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
                 self.cameras_group.setHidden(True)
 
             # Dynamic Engine Options
-            clear_layout(self.renderer_options_layout)  # clear old options
+            clear_layout(self.engine_options_layout)  # clear old options
             # dynamically populate option list
-            system_info = self.renderer_info.get(engine.name(), {}).get('system_info', {})
+            system_info = self.engine_info.get(engine.name(), {}).get('system_info', {})
             self.current_engine_options = engine.ui_options(system_info=system_info)
             for option in self.current_engine_options:
                 h_layout = QHBoxLayout()
@@ -363,15 +363,15 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
                 else:
                     text_box = QLineEdit()
                     h_layout.addWidget(text_box)
-                self.renderer_options_layout.addLayout(h_layout)
+                self.engine_options_layout.addLayout(h_layout)
         except AttributeError:
             pass
 
-    def toggle_renderer_enablement(self, enabled=False):
+    def toggle_engine_enablement(self, enabled=False):
         """Toggle on/off all the render settings"""
         self.project_group.setHidden(not enabled)
         self.output_settings_group.setHidden(not enabled)
-        self.renderer_group.setHidden(not enabled)
+        self.engine_group.setHidden(not enabled)
         self.notes_group.setHidden(not enabled)
         if not enabled:
             self.cameras_group.setHidden(True)
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         self.submit_progress_label.setHidden(True)
         self.process_progress_bar.setHidden(True)
         self.process_label.setHidden(True)
-        self.toggle_renderer_enablement(True)
+        self.toggle_engine_enablement(True)
 
         self.msg_box = QMessageBox()
         if not error_string:
@@ -450,8 +450,8 @@ class SubmitWorker(QThread):
         try:
             hostname = self.window.server_input.currentText()
             job_json = {'owner': psutil.Process().username() + '@' + socket.gethostname(),
-                        'renderer': self.window.renderer_type.currentText().lower(),
+                        'engine': self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower(),
-                        'engine_version': self.window.renderer_version_combo.currentText(),
+                        'engine_version': self.window.engine_version_combo.currentText(),
                         'args': {'raw': self.window.raw_args.text(),
                                  'export_format': self.window.file_format_combo.currentText()},
                         'output_path': self.window.render_name_input.text(),
@@ -464,8 +464,8 @@ class SubmitWorker(QThread):
                         'name': self.window.render_name_input.text()}
 
             # get the dynamic args
-            for i in range(self.window.renderer_options_layout.count()):
+            for i in range(self.window.engine_options_layout.count()):
-                item = self.window.renderer_options_layout.itemAt(i)
+                item = self.window.engine_options_layout.itemAt(i)
                 layout = item.layout()  # get the layout
                 for x in range(layout.count()):
                     z = layout.itemAt(x)
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ class SubmitWorker(QThread):
                 job_list = [job_json]
 
             # presubmission tasks
-            engine = EngineManager.engine_with_name(self.window.renderer_type.currentText().lower())
+            engine = EngineManager.engine_with_name(self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower())
             input_path = engine().perform_presubmission_tasks(input_path)
             # submit
             err_msg = ""

src/ui/engine_browser.py

@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ class EngineBrowserWindow(QMainWindow):
     def update_table(self):
 
         def update_table_worker():
-            raw_server_data = RenderServerProxy(self.hostname).get_renderer_info()
+            raw_server_data = RenderServerProxy(self.hostname).get_engine_info()
             if not raw_server_data:
                 return
 

src/ui/main_window.py

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 ''' app/ui/main_window.py '''
+import ast
 import datetime
 import io
+import json
 import logging
 import os
-import subprocess
 import sys
 import threading
 import time
@@ -16,20 +17,22 @@ from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QMainWindow, QWidget, QHBoxLayout, QListWidget, QTab
     QTableWidgetItem, QLabel, QVBoxLayout, QHeaderView, QMessageBox, QGroupBox, QPushButton, QListWidgetItem, \
     QFileDialog
 
+from src.api.api_server import API_VERSION
 from src.render_queue import RenderQueue
 from src.utilities.misc_helper import get_time_elapsed, resources_dir, is_localhost
 from src.utilities.status_utils import RenderStatus
 from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
-from src.ui.add_job import NewRenderJobForm
+from src.ui.add_job_window import NewRenderJobForm
-from src.ui.console import ConsoleWindow
+from src.ui.console_window import ConsoleWindow
 from src.ui.engine_browser import EngineBrowserWindow
-from src.ui.log_viewer import LogViewer
+from src.ui.log_window import LogViewer
 from src.ui.widgets.menubar import MenuBar
 from src.ui.widgets.proportional_image_label import ProportionalImageLabel
 from src.ui.widgets.statusbar import StatusBar
 from src.ui.widgets.toolbar import ToolBar
 from src.api.serverproxy_manager import ServerProxyManager
-from src.utilities.misc_helper import launch_url
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import launch_url, iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring
+from src.version import APP_NAME
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 
@@ -53,6 +56,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.server_info_ram = None
         self.server_info_cpu = None
         self.server_info_os = None
+        self.server_info_gpu = None
         self.server_info_hostname = None
         self.engine_browser_window = None
         self.server_info_group = None
@@ -63,7 +67,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.buffer_handler = None
 
         # Window-Settings
-        self.setWindowTitle("Zordon")
+        self.setWindowTitle(APP_NAME)
         self.setGeometry(100, 100, 900, 800)
         central_widget = QWidget(self)
         self.setCentralWidget(central_widget)
@@ -121,6 +125,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.server_info_os = QLabel()
         self.server_info_cpu = QLabel()
         self.server_info_ram = QLabel()
+        self.server_info_gpu = QLabel()
         server_info_engines_button = QPushButton("Render Engines")
         server_info_engines_button.clicked.connect(self.engine_browser)
         server_info_layout = QVBoxLayout()
@@ -128,6 +133,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         server_info_layout.addWidget(self.server_info_os)
         server_info_layout.addWidget(self.server_info_cpu)
         server_info_layout.addWidget(self.server_info_ram)
+        server_info_layout.addWidget(self.server_info_gpu)
         server_info_layout.addWidget(server_info_engines_button)
         server_info_group.setLayout(server_info_layout)
 
@@ -237,15 +243,42 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
 
     def update_server_info_display(self, hostname):
         """Updates the server information section of the UI."""
-        self.server_info_hostname.setText(hostname or "unknown")
+        self.server_info_hostname.setText(f"Name: {hostname}")
         server_info = ZeroconfServer.get_hostname_properties(hostname)
 
         # Use the get method with defaults to avoid KeyError
         os_info = f"OS: {server_info.get('system_os', 'Unknown')} {server_info.get('system_os_version', '')}"
-        cpu_info = f"CPU: {server_info.get('system_cpu', 'Unknown')} - {server_info.get('system_cpu_cores', 'Unknown')} cores"
+        cleaned_cpu_name = server_info.get('system_cpu_brand', 'Unknown').replace(' CPU','').replace('(TM)','').replace('(R)', '')
+        cpu_info = f"CPU: {cleaned_cpu_name} ({server_info.get('system_cpu_cores', 'Unknown')} cores)"
+        memory_info = f"RAM: {server_info.get('system_memory', 'Unknown')} GB"
+
+        # Get and format GPU info
+        try:
+            gpu_list = ast.literal_eval(server_info.get('gpu_info', []))
+            
+            # Format all GPUs
+            gpu_info_parts = []
+            for gpu in gpu_list:
+                gpu_name = gpu.get('name', 'Unknown').replace('(TM)','').replace('(R)', '')
+                gpu_memory = gpu.get('memory', 'Unknown')
+                
+                # Add " GB" suffix if memory is a number
+                if isinstance(gpu_memory, (int, float)) or (isinstance(gpu_memory, str) and gpu_memory.isdigit()):
+                    gpu_memory_str = f"{gpu_memory} GB"
+                else:
+                    gpu_memory_str = str(gpu_memory)
+                
+                gpu_info_parts.append(f"{gpu_name} ({gpu_memory_str})")
+            
+            gpu_info = f"GPU: {', '.join(gpu_info_parts)}" if gpu_info_parts else "GPU: Unknown"
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error parsing GPU info: {e}")
+            gpu_info = "GPU: Unknown"
 
         self.server_info_os.setText(os_info.strip())
         self.server_info_cpu.setText(cpu_info)
+        self.server_info_ram.setText(memory_info)
+        self.server_info_gpu.setText(gpu_info)
 
     def fetch_jobs(self, clear_table=False):
 
@@ -256,7 +289,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             self.job_list_view.clear()
             self.refresh_job_headers()
 
-        job_fetch = self.current_server_proxy.get_all_jobs(ignore_token=clear_table)
+        job_fetch = self.current_server_proxy.get_all_jobs(ignore_token=False)
         if job_fetch:
             num_jobs = len(job_fetch)
             self.job_list_view.setRowCount(num_jobs)
@@ -273,13 +306,14 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
                     get_time_elapsed(start_time, end_time)
 
                 name = job.get('name') or os.path.basename(job.get('input_path', ''))
-                renderer = f"{job.get('renderer', '')}-{job.get('renderer_version')}"
+                engine_name = f"{job.get('renderer', '')}-{job.get('renderer_version')}"
                 priority = str(job.get('priority', ''))
                 total_frames = str(job.get('total_frames', ''))
+                date_created_string = iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring(job['date_created'])
 
-                items = [QTableWidgetItem(job['id']), QTableWidgetItem(name), QTableWidgetItem(renderer),
+                items = [QTableWidgetItem(job['id']), QTableWidgetItem(name), QTableWidgetItem(engine_name),
                          QTableWidgetItem(priority), QTableWidgetItem(display_status), QTableWidgetItem(time_elapsed),
-                         QTableWidgetItem(total_frames), QTableWidgetItem(job['date_created'])]
+                         QTableWidgetItem(total_frames), QTableWidgetItem(date_created_string)]
 
                 for col, item in enumerate(items):
                     self.job_list_view.setItem(row, col, item)
@@ -361,7 +395,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             return []
 
     def refresh_job_headers(self):
-        self.job_list_view.setHorizontalHeaderLabels(["ID", "Name", "Renderer", "Priority", "Status",
+        self.job_list_view.setHorizontalHeaderLabels(["ID", "Name", "Engine", "Priority", "Status",
                                                       "Time Elapsed", "Frames", "Date Created"])
         self.job_list_view.setColumnHidden(0, True)
 
@@ -410,6 +444,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
 
     def update_servers(self):
         found_servers = list(set(ZeroconfServer.found_hostnames() + self.added_hostnames))
+        found_servers = [x for x in found_servers if ZeroconfServer.get_hostname_properties(x)['api_version'] == API_VERSION]
+
         # Always make sure local hostname is first
         if found_servers and not is_localhost(found_servers[0]):
             for hostname in found_servers:
@@ -591,3 +627,21 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         if file_name:
             self.new_job_window = NewRenderJobForm(file_name)
             self.new_job_window.show()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    # lazy load GUI frameworks
+    from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication
+
+    # load application
+    # QtCore.QCoreApplication.setAttribute(QtCore.Qt.ApplicationAttribute.AA_MacDontSwapCtrlAndMeta)
+    app: QApplication = QApplication(sys.argv)
+
+    # configure main main_window
+    main_window = MainWindow()
+    # main_window.buffer_handler = buffer_handler
+    app.setActiveWindow(main_window)
+
+    main_window.show()
+
+    sys.exit(app.exec())

src/ui/widgets/menubar.py

@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class MenuBar(QMenuBar):
     @staticmethod
     def check_for_updates():
         from src.utilities.misc_helper import check_for_updates
-        from version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER
+        from src.version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER
         found_update = check_for_updates(APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER, APP_NAME, APP_VERSION)
         if found_update:
             dialog = UpdateDialog(found_update, APP_VERSION)

src/utilities/ffmpeg_helper.py

@@ -4,18 +4,18 @@ from src.engines.ffmpeg.ffmpeg_engine import FFMPEG
 
 def image_sequence_to_video(source_glob_pattern, output_path, framerate=24, encoder="prores_ks", profile=4,
                             start_frame=1):
-    subprocess.run([FFMPEG.default_renderer_path(), "-framerate", str(framerate), "-start_number",
+    subprocess.run([FFMPEG.default_engine_path(), "-framerate", str(framerate), "-start_number",
                     str(start_frame), "-i", f"{source_glob_pattern}", "-c:v", encoder, "-profile:v", str(profile),
                     '-pix_fmt', 'yuva444p10le', output_path], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
                    check=True)
 
 
 def save_first_frame(source_path, dest_path, max_width=1280):
-    subprocess.run([FFMPEG.default_renderer_path(), '-i', source_path, '-vf', f'scale={max_width}:-1',
+    subprocess.run([FFMPEG.default_engine_path(), '-i', source_path, '-vf', f'scale={max_width}:-1',
                     '-vframes', '1', dest_path], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL, check=True)
 
 
 def generate_thumbnail(source_path, dest_path, max_width=240, fps=12):
-    subprocess.run([FFMPEG.default_renderer_path(), '-i', source_path, '-vf',
+    subprocess.run([FFMPEG.default_engine_path(), '-i', source_path, '-vf',
                     f"scale={max_width}:trunc(ow/a/2)*2,format=yuv420p", '-r', str(fps), '-c:v', 'libx264', '-preset',
                     'ultrafast', '-an', dest_path], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL, check=True)

src/utilities/misc_helper.py

@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import logging
+import json
 import os
 import platform
+import re
 import shutil
 import socket
 import string
@@ -210,3 +212,136 @@ def num_to_alphanumeric(num):
         result += characters[remainder]
 
     return result[::-1]  # Reverse the result to get the correct alphanumeric string
+
+
+def iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring(iso_date_string):
+    from dateutil import parser
+    import pytz
+
+    # Parse the ISO date string into a datetime object and convert timezones
+    date = parser.isoparse(iso_date_string).astimezone(pytz.UTC)
+    local_timezone = datetime.now().astimezone().tzinfo
+    date_local = date.astimezone(local_timezone)
+
+    # Format the date to the desired readable yet sortable format with 12-hour time
+    formatted_date = date_local.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %I:%M %p')
+
+    return formatted_date
+
+def get_gpu_info():
+    """Cross-platform GPU information retrieval"""
+
+    def get_windows_gpu_info():
+        """Get GPU info on Windows"""
+        try:
+            result = subprocess.run(
+                ['wmic', 'path', 'win32_videocontroller', 'get', 'name,AdapterRAM', '/format:list'], 
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5
+            )
+            
+            # Virtual adapters to exclude
+            virtual_adapters = [
+                'virtual', 'rdp', 'hyper-v', 'microsoft basic', 'basic display',
+                'vga compatible', 'dummy', 'nvfbc', 'nvencode'
+            ]
+            
+            gpus = []
+            current_gpu = None
+            
+            for line in result.stdout.strip().split('\n'):
+                line = line.strip()
+                if not line:
+                    continue
+                    
+                if line.startswith('Name='):
+                    if current_gpu and current_gpu.get('name'):
+                        gpus.append(current_gpu)
+                    gpu_name = line.replace('Name=', '').strip()
+                    
+                    # Skip virtual adapters
+                    if any(virtual in gpu_name.lower() for virtual in virtual_adapters):
+                        current_gpu = None
+                    else:
+                        current_gpu = {'name': gpu_name, 'memory': 'Integrated'}
+                    
+                elif line.startswith('AdapterRAM=') and current_gpu:
+                    vram_bytes_str = line.replace('AdapterRAM=', '').strip()
+                    if vram_bytes_str and vram_bytes_str != '0':
+                        try:
+                            vram_gb = int(vram_bytes_str) / (1024**3)
+                            current_gpu['memory'] = round(vram_gb, 2)
+                        except:
+                            pass
+            
+            if current_gpu and current_gpu.get('name'):
+                gpus.append(current_gpu)
+            
+            return gpus if gpus else [{'name': 'Unknown GPU', 'memory': 'Unknown'}]
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Failed to get Windows GPU info: {e}")
+            return [{'name': 'Unknown GPU', 'memory': 'Unknown'}]
+
+    def get_macos_gpu_info():
+        """Get GPU info on macOS (works with Apple Silicon)"""
+        try:
+            result = subprocess.run(['system_profiler', 'SPDisplaysDataType', '-json'], 
+                                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5)
+            data = json.loads(result.stdout)
+            
+            gpus = []
+            displays = data.get('SPDisplaysDataType', [])
+            for display in displays:
+                if 'sppci_model' in display:
+                    gpus.append({
+                        'name': display.get('sppci_model', 'Unknown GPU'),
+                        'memory': display.get('sppci_vram', 'Integrated'),
+                    })
+            return gpus if gpus else [{'name': 'Apple Silicon GPU', 'memory': 'Integrated'}]
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Failed to get macOS GPU info: {e}")
+            return [{'name': 'Unknown GPU', 'memory': 'Unknown'}]
+        
+    def get_linux_gpu_info():
+        gpus = []
+        try:
+            # Run plain lspci and filter for GPU-related lines
+            output = subprocess.check_output(
+                ["lspci"], universal_newlines=True, stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
+            )
+            for line in output.splitlines():
+                if any(keyword in line.lower() for keyword in ["vga", "3d", "display"]):
+                    # Extract the part after the colon (vendor + model)
+                    if ":" in line:
+                        name_part = line.split(":", 1)[1].strip()
+                        # Clean up common extras like (rev xx) or (prog-if ...)
+                        name = name_part.split("(")[0].split("controller:")[-1].strip()
+                        vendor = "Unknown"
+                        if "nvidia" in name.lower():
+                            vendor = "NVIDIA"
+                        elif "amd" in name.lower() or "ati" in name.lower():
+                            vendor = "AMD"
+                        elif "intel" in name.lower():
+                            vendor = "Intel"
+                        
+                        gpus.append({
+                            "name": name,
+                            "vendor": vendor,
+                            "memory": "Unknown"
+                        })
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            print("lspci not found. Install pciutils: sudo apt install pciutils")
+            return []
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Error running lspci: {e}")
+            return []
+
+        return gpus
+
+    system = platform.system()
+    
+    if system == 'Darwin':  # macOS
+        return get_macos_gpu_info()
+    elif system == 'Windows':
+        return get_windows_gpu_info()
+    else:  # Assume Linux or other
+        return get_linux_gpu_info()

src/utilities/zeroconf_server.py

@@ -32,9 +32,11 @@ class ZeroconfServer:
     def start(cls, listen_only=False):
         if not cls.service_type:
             raise RuntimeError("The 'configure' method must be run before starting the zeroconf server")
-        logger.debug("Starting zeroconf service")
+        elif not listen_only:
-        if not listen_only:
+            logger.debug(f"Starting zeroconf service")
             cls._register_service()
+        else:
+            logger.debug(f"Starting zeroconf service - Listen only mode")
         cls._browse_services()
 
     @classmethod