Fix pyinstaller spec files

* Initial refactor of add_job_window

* Improved project naming and fixed Blender engine issue

* Improve time representation in main window

* Cleanup Blender job creation

* Send resolution / fps data in job submission

* More window improvements

* EngineManager renaming and refactoring

* FFMPEG path fixes for ffprobe

* More backend refactoring / improvements

* Performance improvements / API refactoring

* Show current job count in add window UI before submission

* Move some UI update code out of background thread

* Move some main window UI update code out of background thread

README.md

@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ git clone https://github.com/blw1138/Zordon.git
 pip3 install -r requirements.txt
 pip3 install pyinstaller
 pip3 install pyinstaller_versionfile
-pyinstaller main.spec
+pyinstaller client.spec
+pyinstaller server.spec
 ```
 
 ## License

client.spec

@@ -1,25 +1,53 @@
 # -*- mode: python ; coding: utf-8 -*-
-from PyInstaller.utils.hooks import collect_all
 
-# - get version from version file
+from PyInstaller.utils.hooks import collect_all
+from pathlib import Path
 import os
 import sys
 import platform
-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')]
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Project paths
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+project_root = Path(SPECPATH).resolve()
+src_dir = project_root / "src"
+
+# Ensure `src.*` imports work during analysis
+sys.path.insert(0, str(project_root))
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Import version info
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+from src.version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_AUTHOR
+
+APP_NAME = f"{APP_NAME}-client"
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# PyInstaller data / imports
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+datas = [
+	("resources", "resources"),
+	("src/engines/blender/scripts", "src/engines/blender/scripts"),
+]
+
 binaries = []
-hiddenimports = ['zeroconf']
+hiddenimports = ["zeroconf", "src.version"]
-tmp_ret = collect_all('zeroconf')
-datas += tmp_ret[0]; binaries += tmp_ret[1]; hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
 
+tmp_ret = collect_all("zeroconf")
+datas += tmp_ret[0]
+binaries += tmp_ret[1]
+hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Analysis
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
 
 a = Analysis(
-    ['client.py'],
+	["client.py"],
-    pathex=[],
+	pathex=[str(project_root)],
 	binaries=binaries,
 	datas=datas,
 	hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
@@ -28,11 +56,16 @@ a = Analysis(
 	runtime_hooks=[],
 	excludes=[],
 	noarchive=False,
-    optimize=1,  # fyi: optim level 2 breaks on windows
+	optimize=1,  # optimize=2 breaks Windows builds
 )
+
 pyz = PYZ(a.pure)
 
-if platform.system() == 'Darwin':  # macOS
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Platform targets
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+if platform.system() == "Darwin":  # macOS
 
 	exe = EXE(
 		pyz,
@@ -51,23 +84,26 @@ if platform.system() == 'Darwin':  # macOS
 		codesign_identity=None,
 		entitlements_file=None,
 	)
+
 	app = BUNDLE(
 		exe,
 		a.binaries,
 		a.datas,
 		strip=True,
-        name=f'{APP_NAME}.app',
+		name=f"{APP_NAME}.app",
-        icon='resources/Server.png',
+		icon="resources/Server.png",
 		bundle_identifier=None,
-        version=APP_VERSION
+		version=APP_VERSION,
 	)
 
-elif platform.system() == 'Windows':
+elif platform.system() == "Windows":
 
 	import pyinstaller_versionfile
 	import tempfile
 
-    version_file_path = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), 'versionfile.txt')
+	version_file_path = os.path.join(
+		tempfile.gettempdir(), "versionfile.txt"
+	)
 
 	pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
 		output_file=version_file_path,
@@ -77,7 +113,7 @@ elif platform.system() == 'Windows':
 		internal_name=APP_NAME,
 		legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
 		original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
-        product_name=APP_NAME
+		product_name=APP_NAME,
 	)
 
 	exe = EXE(
@@ -97,10 +133,11 @@ elif platform.system() == 'Windows':
 		target_arch=None,
 		codesign_identity=None,
 		entitlements_file=None,
-        version=version_file_path
+		version=version_file_path,
 	)
 
-else:  # linux
+else:  # Linux
+
 	exe = EXE(
 		pyz,
 		a.scripts,
@@ -117,5 +154,5 @@ else:  # linux
 		argv_emulation=False,
 		target_arch=None,
 		codesign_identity=None,
-        entitlements_file=None
+		entitlements_file=None,
 	)

server.spec

@@ -1,24 +1,53 @@
 # -*- mode: python ; coding: utf-8 -*-
-from PyInstaller.utils.hooks import collect_all
 
-# - get version from version file
+from PyInstaller.utils.hooks import collect_all
+from pathlib import Path
 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')]
+# Project paths
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+project_root = Path(SPECPATH).resolve()
+src_dir = project_root / "src"
+
+# Ensure `src.*` imports work during analysis
+sys.path.insert(0, str(project_root))
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Import version info
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+from src.version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_AUTHOR
+
+APP_NAME = f"{APP_NAME}-server"
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# PyInstaller data / imports
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+datas = [
+	("resources", "resources"),
+	("src/engines/blender/scripts", "src/engines/blender/scripts"),
+]
+
 binaries = []
-hiddenimports = ['zeroconf']
+hiddenimports = ["zeroconf", "src.version"]
-tmp_ret = collect_all('zeroconf')
-datas += tmp_ret[0]; binaries += tmp_ret[1]; hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
 
+tmp_ret = collect_all("zeroconf")
+datas += tmp_ret[0]
+binaries += tmp_ret[1]
+hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Analysis
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
 
 a = Analysis(
-    ['server.py'],
+	["server.py"],
-    pathex=[],
+	pathex=[str(project_root)],
 	binaries=binaries,
 	datas=datas,
 	hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
@@ -27,16 +56,54 @@ a = Analysis(
 	runtime_hooks=[],
 	excludes=[],
 	noarchive=False,
-    optimize=1,  # fyi: optim level 2 breaks on windows
+	optimize=1,  # optimize=2 breaks Windows builds
 )
+
 pyz = PYZ(a.pure)
 
-if platform.system() == 'Windows':
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Platform targets
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+
+if platform.system() == "Darwin":  # macOS
+
+	exe = EXE(
+		pyz,
+		a.scripts,
+		[],
+		exclude_binaries=True,
+		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,
+	)
+
+	app = BUNDLE(
+		exe,
+		a.binaries,
+		a.datas,
+		strip=True,
+		name=f"{APP_NAME}.app",
+		icon="resources/Server.png",
+		bundle_identifier=None,
+		version=APP_VERSION,
+	)
+
+elif platform.system() == "Windows":
 
 	import pyinstaller_versionfile
 	import tempfile
 
-    version_file_path = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), 'versionfile.txt')
+	version_file_path = os.path.join(
+		tempfile.gettempdir(), "versionfile.txt"
+	)
 
 	pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
 		output_file=version_file_path,
@@ -46,30 +113,9 @@ if platform.system() == 'Windows':
 		internal_name=APP_NAME,
 		legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
 		original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
-        product_name=APP_NAME
+		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,
@@ -86,5 +132,27 @@ else:  # linux / macOS
 		argv_emulation=False,
 		target_arch=None,
 		codesign_identity=None,
-        entitlements_file=None
+		entitlements_file=None,
+		version=version_file_path,
+	)
+
+else:  # Linux
+
+	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/api_server.py

@@ -309,6 +309,12 @@ def add_job_handler():
             new_job = DistributedJobManager.create_render_job(processed_job_data, loaded_project_local_path)
             created_jobs.append(new_job)
 
+        # Save notes to .txt
+        if processed_job_data.get("notes"):
+            parent_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(loaded_project_local_path))
+            notes_name = processed_job_data['name'] + "-notes.txt"
+            with open(os.path.join(parent_dir, notes_name), "w") as f:
+                f.write(processed_job_data["notes"])
         return [x.json() for x in created_jobs]
     except Exception as e:
         logger.exception(f"Error creating render job: {e}")
@@ -374,6 +380,26 @@ def delete_job(job_id):
 # Engine Info and Management:
 # --------------------------------------------
 
+@server.get('/api/engine_for_filename')
+def get_engine_for_filename():
+    filename = request.args.get("filename")
+    if not filename:
+        return "Error: filename is required", 400
+    found_engine = EngineManager.engine_class_for_project_path(filename)
+    if not found_engine:
+        return f"Error: cannot find a suitable engine for '{filename}'", 400
+    return found_engine.name()
+
+@server.get('/api/installed_engines')
+def get_installed_engines():
+    result = {}
+    for engine_class in EngineManager.supported_engines():
+        data = EngineManager.all_version_data_for_engine(engine_class.name())
+        if data:
+            result[engine_class.name()] = data
+    return result
+
+
 @server.get('/api/engine_info')
 def engine_info():
     response_type = request.args.get('response_type', 'standard')
@@ -383,7 +409,7 @@ def engine_info():
     def process_engine(engine):
         try:
             # Get all installed versions of the engine
-            installed_versions = EngineManager.all_versions_for_engine(engine.name())
+            installed_versions = EngineManager.all_version_data_for_engine(engine.name())
             if not installed_versions:
                 return None
 
@@ -414,7 +440,7 @@ def engine_info():
 
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Error fetching details for engine '{engine.name()}': {e}")
-            raise e
+            return {}
 
     engine_data = {}
     with concurrent.futures.ThreadPoolExecutor() as executor:
@@ -428,14 +454,69 @@ def engine_info():
     return engine_data
 
 
+@server.get('/api/<engine_name>/info')
+def get_engine_info(engine_name):
+    try:
+        response_type = request.args.get('response_type', 'standard')
+        # Get all installed versions of the engine
+        installed_versions = EngineManager.all_version_data_for_engine(engine_name)
+        if not installed_versions:
+            return {}
+
+        result = { 'is_available': RenderQueue.is_available_for_job(engine_name),
+                   'versions': installed_versions
+                   }
+
+        if response_type == 'full':
+            with concurrent.futures.ThreadPoolExecutor() as executor:
+                engine_class = EngineManager.engine_class_with_name(engine_name)
+                en = EngineManager.get_latest_engine_instance(engine_class)
+                future_results = {
+                    'supported_extensions': executor.submit(en.supported_extensions),
+                    'supported_export_formats': executor.submit(en.get_output_formats),
+                    'system_info': executor.submit(en.system_info),
+                    'options': executor.submit(en.ui_options)
+                }
+
+                for key, future in future_results.items():
+                    result[key] = future.result()
+
+        return result
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error fetching details for engine '{engine_name}': {e}")
+        return {}
+
+
 @server.get('/api/<engine_name>/is_available')
 def is_engine_available(engine_name):
     return {'engine': engine_name, 'available': RenderQueue.is_available_for_job(engine_name),
             'cpu_count': int(psutil.cpu_count(logical=False)),
-            'versions': EngineManager.all_versions_for_engine(engine_name),
+            'versions': EngineManager.all_version_data_for_engine(engine_name),
             'hostname': server.config['HOSTNAME']}
 
 
+@server.get('/api/engine/<engine_name>/args')
+def get_engine_args(engine_name):
+    try:
+        engine_class = EngineManager.engine_class_with_name(engine_name)
+        return engine_class().get_arguments()
+    except LookupError:
+        return f"Cannot find engine '{engine_name}'", 400
+
+
+@server.get('/api/engine/<engine_name>/help')
+def get_engine_help(engine_name):
+    try:
+        engine_class = EngineManager.engine_class_with_name(engine_name)
+        return engine_class().get_help()
+    except LookupError:
+        return f"Cannot find engine '{engine_name}'", 400
+
+# --------------------------------------------
+# Engine Downloads and Updates:
+# --------------------------------------------
+
 @server.get('/api/is_engine_available_to_download')
 def is_engine_available_to_download():
     available_result = EngineManager.version_is_available_to_download(request.args.get('engine'),
@@ -476,24 +557,6 @@ def delete_engine_download():
         (f"Error deleting {json_data.get('engine')} {json_data.get('version')}", 500)
 
 
-@server.get('/api/engine/<engine_name>/args')
-def get_engine_args(engine_name):
-    try:
-        engine_class = EngineManager.engine_with_name(engine_name)
-        return engine_class().get_arguments()
-    except LookupError:
-        return f"Cannot find engine '{engine_name}'", 400
-
-
-@server.get('/api/engine/<engine_name>/help')
-def get_engine_help(engine_name):
-    try:
-        engine_class = EngineManager.engine_with_name(engine_name)
-        return engine_class().get_help()
-    except LookupError:
-        return f"Cannot find engine '{engine_name}'", 400
-
-
 # --------------------------------------------
 # Miscellaneous:
 # --------------------------------------------
@@ -568,6 +631,15 @@ def handle_detached_instance(_):
     return "Unavailable", 503
 
 
+@server.errorhandler(404)
+def handle_404(error):
+    url = request.url
+    err_msg = f"404 Not Found: {url}"
+    if 'favicon' not in url:
+        logger.warning(err_msg)
+    return err_msg, 404
+
+
 @server.errorhandler(Exception)
 def handle_general_error(general_error):
     err_msg = f"Server error: {general_error}"

src/api/job_import_handler.py

@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@ class JobImportHandler:
             raise FileNotFoundError("Cannot find any valid project paths")
 
         # Prepare the local filepath
-        cleaned_path_name = os.path.splitext(referred_name)[0].replace(' ', '-')
+        cleaned_path_name = job_name.replace(' ', '-')
         job_dir = os.path.join(upload_directory, '-'.join(
-            [datetime.now().strftime("%Y.%m.%d_%H.%M.%S"), engine_name, cleaned_path_name]))
+            [cleaned_path_name, engine_name, datetime.now().strftime("%Y.%m.%d_%H.%M.%S")]))
         os.makedirs(job_dir, exist_ok=True)
         project_source_dir = os.path.join(job_dir, 'source')
         os.makedirs(project_source_dir, exist_ok=True)

src/api/server_proxy.py

@@ -247,16 +247,19 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
     # Engines:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
-    def is_engine_available(self, engine_name):
+    def get_engine_for_filename(self, filename, timeout=5):
-        return self.request_data(f'{engine_name}/is_available')
+        response = self.request(f'engine_for_filename?filename={os.path.basename(filename)}', timeout)
+        return response.text
 
-    def get_all_engines(self):
+    def get_installed_engines(self, timeout=5):
-        # todo: this doesnt work
+        return self.request_data(f'installed_engines', timeout)
-        return self.request_data('all_engines')
 
-    def get_engine_info(self, response_type='standard', timeout=5):
+    def is_engine_available(self, engine_name:str, timeout=5):
+        return self.request_data(f'{engine_name}/is_available', timeout)
+
+    def get_all_engine_info(self, response_type='standard', timeout=5):
         """
-        Fetches engine information from the server.
+        Fetches all engine information from the server.
 
         Args:
             response_type (str, optional): Returns standard or full version of engine info
@@ -268,19 +271,33 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
         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):
+    def get_engine_info(self, engine_name:str, response_type='standard', timeout=5):
+        """
+        Fetches specific engine information from the server.
+
+        Args:
+            engine_name (str): Name of the engine
+            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 engine information.
+        """
+        return self.request_data(f'{engine_name}/info?response_type={response_type}', timeout)
+
+    def delete_engine(self, engine_name:str, version:str, system_cpu=None):
         """
         Sends a request to the server to delete a specific engine.
 
         Args:
-            engine (str): The name of the engine to delete.
+            engine_name (str): The name of the engine to delete.
             version (str): The version of the engine to delete.
             system_cpu (str, optional): The system CPU type. Defaults to None.
 
         Returns:
             Response: The response from the server.
         """
-        form_data = {'engine': engine, 'version': version, 'system_cpu': system_cpu}
+        form_data = {'engine': engine_name, 'version': version, 'system_cpu': system_cpu}
         return requests.post(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}/api/delete_engine', json=form_data)
 
     # --------------------------------------------

src/engines/blender/blender_engine.py

@@ -24,10 +24,12 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
         from src.engines.blender.blender_worker import BlenderRenderWorker
         return BlenderRenderWorker
 
-    @staticmethod
+    def ui_options(self):
-    def ui_options(system_info):
+        options = [
-        from src.engines.blender.blender_ui import BlenderUI
+            {'name': 'engine', 'options': self.supported_render_engines()},
-        return BlenderUI.get_options(system_info)
+            {'name': 'render_device', 'options': ['Any', 'GPU', 'CPU']},
+        ]
+        return options
 
     def supported_extensions(self):
         return ['blend']
@@ -117,7 +119,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
             # report any missing textures
             not_found = re.findall("(Unable to pack file, source path .*)\n", result_text)
             for err in not_found:
-                logger.error(err)
+                raise ChildProcessError(err)
 
             p = re.compile('Saved to: (.*)\n')
             match = p.search(result_text)
@@ -125,6 +127,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
                 new_path = os.path.join(dir_name, match.group(1).strip())
                 logger.info(f'Blender file packed successfully to {new_path}')
                 return new_path
+            return project_path
         except Exception as e:
             msg = f'Error packing .blend file: {e}'
             logger.error(msg)
@@ -164,7 +167,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
         return options
 
     def system_info(self):
-        return {'render_devices': self.get_render_devices()}
+        return {'render_devices': self.get_render_devices(), 'engines': self.supported_render_engines()}
 
     def get_render_devices(self):
         script_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)), 'scripts', 'get_system_info.py')
@@ -179,7 +182,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
             logger.error("GPU data not found in the output.")
 
     def supported_render_engines(self):
-        engine_output = subprocess.run([self.engine_path(), '-E', 'help'], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT,
+        engine_output = subprocess.run([self.engine_path(), '-b', '-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_ui.py

@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-
-class BlenderUI:
-    @staticmethod
-    def get_options(system_info):
-        options = [
-            {'name': 'engine', 'options': system_info.get('engines', [])},
-            {'name': 'render_device', 'options': ['Any', 'GPU', 'CPU']},
-        ]
-        return options

src/engines/blender/blender_worker.py

@@ -18,14 +18,13 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
         self.__frame_percent_complete = 0.0
 
         # Scene Info
-        self.scene_info = Blender(engine_path).get_project_info(input_path)
+        self.scene_info = {}
-        self.start_frame = int(self.scene_info.get('start_frame', 1))
-        self.end_frame = int(self.scene_info.get('end_frame', self.start_frame))
-        self.project_length = (self.end_frame - self.start_frame) + 1
         self.current_frame = -1
 
     def generate_worker_subprocess(self):
 
+        self.scene_info = Blender(self.engine_path).get_project_info(self.input_path)
+
         cmd = [self.engine_path]
         if self.args.get('background', True):  # optionally run render not in background
             cmd.append('-b')
@@ -41,10 +40,16 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
         cmd.append('--python-expr')
         python_exp = 'import bpy; bpy.context.scene.render.use_overwrite = False;'
 
+        # Setup Custom Resolution
+        if self.args.get('resolution'):
+            res = self.args.get('resolution')
+            python_exp += 'bpy.context.scene.render.resolution_percentage = 100;'
+            python_exp += f'bpy.context.scene.render.resolution_x={res[0]}; bpy.context.scene.render.resolution_y={res[1]};'
+
         # Setup Custom Camera
         custom_camera = self.args.get('camera', None)
         if custom_camera:
-            python_exp = python_exp + f"bpy.context.scene.camera = bpy.data.objects['{custom_camera}'];"
+            python_exp += f"bpy.context.scene.camera = bpy.data.objects['{custom_camera}'];"
 
         # Set Render Device for Cycles (gpu/cpu/any)
         if blender_engine == 'CYCLES':
@@ -85,11 +90,15 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
 
     def _parse_stdout(self, line):
 
-        pattern = re.compile(
+        cycles_pattern = re.compile(
             r'Fra:(?P<frame>\d*).*Mem:(?P<memory>\S+).*Time:(?P<time>\S+)(?:.*Remaining:)?(?P<remaining>\S*)')
-        found = pattern.search(line)
+        cycles_match = cycles_pattern.search(line)
-        if found:
+        eevee_pattern = re.compile(
-            stats = found.groupdict()
+            r"Rendering\s+(?P<current>\d+)\s*/\s*(?P<total>\d+)\s+samples"
+        )
+        eevee_match = eevee_pattern.search(line)
+        if cycles_match:
+            stats = cycles_match.groupdict()
             memory_use = stats['memory']
             time_elapsed = stats['time']
             time_remaining = stats['remaining'] or 'Unknown'
@@ -104,6 +113,11 @@ class BlenderRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
                 logger.debug(
                     'Frame:{0} | Mem:{1} | Time:{2} | Remaining:{3}'.format(self.current_frame, memory_use,
                                                                             time_elapsed, time_remaining))
+        elif eevee_match:
+            self.__frame_percent_complete = int(eevee_match.groups()[0]) / int(eevee_match.groups()[1])
+            logger.debug(f'Frame:{self.current_frame} | Samples:{eevee_match.groups()[0]}/{eevee_match.groups()[1]}')
+        elif "Rendering frame" in line: # used for eevee
+            self.current_frame = int(line.split("Rendering frame")[-1].strip())
         elif "file doesn't exist" in line.lower():
             self.log_error(line, halt_render=True)
         elif line.lower().startswith('error'):

src/engines/blender/scripts/get_system_info.py

@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 import bpy
 import json
 
+# Force CPU rendering
+bpy.context.preferences.addons["cycles"].preferences.compute_device_type = "NONE"
+bpy.context.scene.cycles.device = "CPU"
+
 # Ensure Cycles is available
 bpy.context.preferences.addons['cycles'].preferences.get_devices()
 

src/engines/core/base_engine.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import platform
 import subprocess
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
-SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT = 5
+SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT = 10
 
 
 class BaseRenderEngine(object):
@@ -133,8 +133,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
     def downloader():  # override when subclassing if using a downloader class
         return None
 
-    @staticmethod
+    def ui_options(self):  # override to return options for ui
-    def ui_options(system_info):  # override to return options for ui
         return {}
 
     # --------------------------------------------

src/engines/core/base_worker.py

@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
     engine_version = Column(String)
     engine_path = Column(String)
     priority = Column(Integer)
-    project_length = Column(Integer)
     start_frame = Column(Integer)
     end_frame = Column(Integer, nullable=True)
     parent = Column(String, nullable=True)
@@ -83,7 +82,6 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
         self.maximum_attempts = 3
 
         # Frame Ranges
-        self.project_length = 0  # is this necessary?
         self.current_frame = 0
         self.start_frame = 0
         self.end_frame = None
@@ -154,7 +152,7 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
 
     @property
     def total_frames(self):
-        return (self.end_frame or self.project_length) - self.start_frame + 1
+        return max(self.end_frame, 1) - self.start_frame + 1
 
     @property
     def status(self):

src/engines/engine_manager.py

@@ -3,13 +3,16 @@ import os
 import shutil
 import threading
 import concurrent.futures
+from typing import Type
 
+from engines.core.base_engine import BaseRenderEngine
 from src.engines.blender.blender_engine import Blender
 from src.engines.ffmpeg.ffmpeg_engine import FFMPEG
 from src.utilities.misc_helper import system_safe_path, current_system_os, current_system_cpu
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 
+ENGINE_CLASSES = [Blender, FFMPEG]
 
 class EngineManager:
     """Class that manages different versions of installed render engines and handles fetching and downloading new versions,
@@ -20,33 +23,37 @@ class EngineManager:
     download_tasks = []
 
     @staticmethod
-    def supported_engines():
+    def supported_engines() -> list[type[BaseRenderEngine]]:
-        return [Blender, FFMPEG]
+        return ENGINE_CLASSES
+
+    # --- Installed Engines ---
 
     @classmethod
-    def downloadable_engines(cls):
+    def engine_class_for_project_path(cls, path) -> type[BaseRenderEngine]:
-        return [engine for engine in cls.supported_engines() if hasattr(engine, "downloader") and engine.downloader()]
+        _, extension = os.path.splitext(path)
+        extension = extension.lower().strip('.')
+        for engine_class in cls.supported_engines():
+            engine = cls.get_latest_engine_instance(engine_class)
+            if extension in engine.supported_extensions():
+                return engine_class
+        undefined_renderer_support = [x for x in cls.supported_engines() if not cls.get_latest_engine_instance(x).supported_extensions()]
+        return undefined_renderer_support[0]
 
     @classmethod
-    def active_downloads(cls) -> list:
+    def engine_class_with_name(cls, engine_name: str) -> type[BaseRenderEngine] | None:
-        return [x for x in cls.download_tasks if x.is_alive()]
-
-    @classmethod
-    def engine_with_name(cls, engine_name):
         for obj in cls.supported_engines():
             if obj.name().lower() == engine_name.lower():
                 return obj
+        return None
 
     @classmethod
-    def update_all_engines(cls):
+    def get_latest_engine_instance(cls, engine_class: Type[BaseRenderEngine]) -> BaseRenderEngine:
-        for engine in cls.downloadable_engines():
+        newest = cls.newest_installed_engine_data(engine_class.name())
-            update_available = cls.is_engine_update_available(engine)
+        engine = engine_class(newest["path"])
-            if update_available:
+        return engine
-                update_available['name'] = engine.name()
-                cls.download_engine(engine.name(), update_available['version'], background=True)
 
     @classmethod
-    def get_engines(cls, filter_name=None, include_corrupt=False, ignore_system=False):
+    def get_installed_engine_data(cls, filter_name=None, include_corrupt=False, ignore_system=False) -> list:
 
         if not cls.engines_path:
             raise FileNotFoundError("Engine path is not set")
@@ -68,7 +75,7 @@ class EngineManager:
                 # Initialize binary_name with engine name
                 binary_name = result_dict['engine'].lower()
                 # Determine the correct binary name based on the engine and system_os
-                eng = cls.engine_with_name(result_dict['engine'])
+                eng = cls.engine_class_with_name(result_dict['engine'])
                 binary_name = eng.binary_names.get(result_dict['system_os'], binary_name)
 
                 # Find the path to the binary file
@@ -123,70 +130,102 @@ class EngineManager:
 
         return results
 
+    # --- Check for Updates ---
+
     @classmethod
-    def all_versions_for_engine(cls, engine_name, include_corrupt=False, ignore_system=False):
+    def update_all_engines(cls):
-        versions = cls.get_engines(filter_name=engine_name, include_corrupt=include_corrupt, ignore_system=ignore_system)
+        for engine in cls.downloadable_engines():
+            update_available = cls.is_engine_update_available(engine)
+            if update_available:
+                update_available['name'] = engine.name()
+                cls.download_engine(engine.name(), update_available['version'], background=True)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def all_version_data_for_engine(cls, engine_name:str, include_corrupt=False, ignore_system=False) -> list:
+        versions = cls.get_installed_engine_data(filter_name=engine_name, include_corrupt=include_corrupt, ignore_system=ignore_system)
         sorted_versions = sorted(versions, key=lambda x: x['version'], reverse=True)
         return sorted_versions
 
     @classmethod
-    def newest_engine_version(cls, engine, system_os=None, cpu=None, ignore_system=None):
+    def newest_installed_engine_data(cls, engine_name:str, system_os=None, cpu=None, ignore_system=None) -> list:
         system_os = system_os or current_system_os()
         cpu = cpu or current_system_cpu()
 
         try:
-            filtered = [x for x in cls.all_versions_for_engine(engine, ignore_system=ignore_system)
+            filtered = [x for x in cls.all_version_data_for_engine(engine_name, ignore_system=ignore_system)
                         if x['system_os'] == system_os and x['cpu'] == cpu]
             return filtered[0]
         except IndexError:
-            logger.error(f"Cannot find newest engine version for {engine}-{system_os}-{cpu}")
+            logger.error(f"Cannot find newest engine version for {engine_name}-{system_os}-{cpu}")
-        return None
+        return []
 
     @classmethod
-    def is_version_downloaded(cls, engine, version, system_os=None, cpu=None, ignore_system=False):
+    def is_version_installed(cls, engine_name:str, version, system_os=None, cpu=None, ignore_system=False):
         system_os = system_os or current_system_os()
         cpu = cpu or current_system_cpu()
 
-        filtered = [x for x in cls.get_engines(filter_name=engine, ignore_system=ignore_system) if
+        filtered = [x for x in cls.get_installed_engine_data(filter_name=engine_name, ignore_system=ignore_system) if
                     x['system_os'] == system_os and x['cpu'] == cpu and x['version'] == version]
         return filtered[0] if filtered else False
 
     @classmethod
-    def version_is_available_to_download(cls, engine, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
+    def version_is_available_to_download(cls, engine_name:str, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
         try:
-            downloader = cls.engine_with_name(engine).downloader()
+            downloader = cls.engine_class_with_name(engine_name).downloader()
             return downloader.version_is_available_to_download(version=version, system_os=system_os, cpu=cpu)
         except Exception as e:
             logger.debug(f"Exception in version_is_available_to_download: {e}")
             return None
 
     @classmethod
-    def find_most_recent_version(cls, engine=None, system_os=None, cpu=None, lts_only=False):
+    def find_most_recent_version(cls, engine_name:str, system_os=None, cpu=None, lts_only=False) -> dict:
         try:
-            downloader = cls.engine_with_name(engine).downloader()
+            downloader = cls.engine_class_with_name(engine_name).downloader()
             return downloader.find_most_recent_version(system_os=system_os, cpu=cpu)
         except Exception as e:
             logger.debug(f"Exception in find_most_recent_version: {e}")
-            return None
+            return {}
 
     @classmethod
-    def get_existing_download_task(cls, engine, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
+    def is_engine_update_available(cls, engine_class: Type[BaseRenderEngine], ignore_system_installs=False):
+        logger.debug(f"Checking for updates to {engine_class.name()}")
+        latest_version = engine_class.downloader().find_most_recent_version()
+
+        if not latest_version:
+            logger.warning(f"Could not find most recent version of {engine_class.name()} to download")
+            return None
+
+        version_num = latest_version.get('version')
+        if cls.is_version_installed(engine_class.name(), version_num, ignore_system=ignore_system_installs):
+            logger.debug(f"Latest version of {engine_class.name()} ({version_num}) already downloaded")
+            return None
+
+        return latest_version
+
+    # --- Downloads ---
+
+    @classmethod
+    def downloadable_engines(cls):
+        return [engine for engine in cls.supported_engines() if hasattr(engine, "downloader") and engine.downloader()]
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_existing_download_task(cls, engine_name, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
         for task in cls.download_tasks:
             task_parts = task.name.split('-')
             task_engine, task_version, task_system_os, task_cpu = task_parts[:4]
 
-            if engine == task_engine and version == task_version:
+            if engine_name == task_engine and version == task_version:
                 if system_os in (task_system_os, None) and cpu in (task_cpu, None):
                     return task
         return None
 
     @classmethod
-    def download_engine(cls, engine, version, system_os=None, cpu=None, background=False, ignore_system=False):
+    def download_engine(cls, engine_name, version, system_os=None, cpu=None, background=False, ignore_system=False):
 
-        engine_to_download = cls.engine_with_name(engine)
+        engine_to_download = cls.engine_class_with_name(engine_name)
-        existing_task = cls.get_existing_download_task(engine, version, system_os, cpu)
+        existing_task = cls.get_existing_download_task(engine_name, version, system_os, cpu)
         if existing_task:
-            logger.debug(f"Already downloading {engine} {version}")
+            logger.debug(f"Already downloading {engine_name} {version}")
             if not background:
                 existing_task.join()  # If download task exists, wait until it's done downloading
             return None
@@ -196,7 +235,7 @@ class EngineManager:
         elif not cls.engines_path:
             raise FileNotFoundError("Engines path must be set before requesting downloads")
 
-        thread = EngineDownloadWorker(engine, version, system_os, cpu)
+        thread = EngineDownloadWorker(engine_name, version, system_os, cpu)
         cls.download_tasks.append(thread)
         thread.start()
 
@@ -204,55 +243,44 @@ class EngineManager:
             return thread
 
         thread.join()
-        found_engine = cls.is_version_downloaded(engine, version, system_os, cpu, ignore_system)  # Check that engine downloaded
+        found_engine = cls.is_version_installed(engine_name, version, system_os, cpu, ignore_system)  # Check that engine downloaded
         if not found_engine:
-            logger.error(f"Error downloading {engine}")
+            logger.error(f"Error downloading {engine_name}")
         return found_engine
 
     @classmethod
-    def delete_engine_download(cls, engine, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
+    def delete_engine_download(cls, engine_name, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
-        logger.info(f"Requested deletion of engine: {engine}-{version}")
+        logger.info(f"Requested deletion of engine: {engine_name}-{version}")
 
-        found = cls.is_version_downloaded(engine, version, system_os, cpu)
+        found = cls.is_version_installed(engine_name, version, system_os, cpu)
         if found and found['type'] == 'managed':  # don't delete system installs
             # find the root directory of the engine executable
-            root_dir_name = '-'.join([engine, version, found['system_os'], found['cpu']])
+            root_dir_name = '-'.join([engine_name, version, found['system_os'], found['cpu']])
             remove_path = os.path.join(found['path'].split(root_dir_name)[0], root_dir_name)
             # delete the file path
             logger.info(f"Deleting engine at path: {remove_path}")
             shutil.rmtree(remove_path, ignore_errors=False)
-            logger.info(f"Engine {engine}-{version}-{found['system_os']}-{found['cpu']} successfully deleted")
+            logger.info(f"Engine {engine_name}-{version}-{found['system_os']}-{found['cpu']} successfully deleted")
             return True
         elif found:  # these are managed by the system / user. Don't delete these.
-            logger.error(f'Cannot delete requested {engine} {version}. Managed externally.')
+            logger.error(f'Cannot delete requested {engine_name} {version}. Managed externally.')
         else:
-            logger.error(f"Cannot find engine: {engine}-{version}")
+            logger.error(f"Cannot find engine: {engine_name}-{version}")
         return False
 
+    # --- Background Tasks ---
+
     @classmethod
-    def is_engine_update_available(cls, engine_class, ignore_system_installs=False):
+    def active_downloads(cls) -> list:
-        logger.debug(f"Checking for updates to {engine_class.name()}")
+        return [x for x in cls.download_tasks if x.is_alive()]
-        latest_version = engine_class.downloader().find_most_recent_version()
-
-        if not latest_version:
-            logger.warning(f"Could not find most recent version of {engine_class.name()} to download")
-            return None
-
-        version_num = latest_version.get('version')
-        if cls.is_version_downloaded(engine_class.name(), version_num, ignore_system=ignore_system_installs):
-            logger.debug(f"Latest version of {engine_class.name()} ({version_num}) already downloaded")
-            return None
-
-        return latest_version
-
 
     @classmethod
     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(engine_name).worker_class()
+        worker_class = cls.engine_class_with_name(engine_name).worker_class()
 
         # check to make sure we have versions installed
-        all_versions = cls.all_versions_for_engine(engine_name)
+        all_versions = cls.all_version_data_for_engine(engine_name)
         if not all_versions:
             raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot find any installed '{engine_name}' engines")
 
@@ -281,16 +309,6 @@ class EngineManager:
         return worker_class(input_path=input_path, output_path=output_path, engine_path=engine_path, args=args,
                             parent=parent, name=name)
 
-    @classmethod
-    def engine_for_project_path(cls, path):
-        _, extension = os.path.splitext(path)
-        extension = extension.lower().strip('.')
-        for engine in cls.supported_engines():
-            if extension in engine().supported_extensions():
-                return engine
-        undefined_renderer_support = [x for x in cls.supported_engines() if not x().supported_extensions()]
-        return undefined_renderer_support[0]
-
 
 class EngineDownloadWorker(threading.Thread):
     """A thread worker for downloading a specific version of a rendering engine.
@@ -317,14 +335,14 @@ class EngineDownloadWorker(threading.Thread):
 
     def run(self):
         try:
-            existing_download = EngineManager.is_version_downloaded(self.engine, self.version, self.system_os, self.cpu,
+            existing_download = EngineManager.is_version_installed(self.engine, self.version, self.system_os, self.cpu,
                                                                    ignore_system=True)
             if existing_download:
                 logger.info(f"Requested download of {self.engine} {self.version}, but local copy already exists")
                 return existing_download
 
             # Get the appropriate downloader class based on the engine type
-            downloader = EngineManager.engine_with_name(self.engine).downloader()
+            downloader = EngineManager.engine_class_with_name(self.engine).downloader()
             downloader.download_engine( self.version, download_location=EngineManager.engines_path,
                                         system_os=self.system_os, cpu=self.cpu, timeout=300, progress_callback=self._update_progress)
         except Exception as e:
@@ -341,4 +359,4 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
     # EngineManager.delete_engine_download('blender', '3.2.1', 'macos', 'a')
     EngineManager.engines_path = "/Users/brettwilliams/zordon-uploads/engines"
     # print(EngineManager.is_version_downloaded("ffmpeg", "6.0"))
-    print(EngineManager.get_engines())
+    print(EngineManager.get_installed_engine_data())

src/engines/ffmpeg/ffmpeg_engine.py

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import json
+import os
 import re
 
 from src.engines.core.base_engine import *
@@ -20,8 +21,7 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
         return FFMPEGRenderWorker
 
     def ui_options(self):
-        from src.engines.ffmpeg.ffmpeg_ui import FFMPEGUI
+        return []
-        return FFMPEGUI.get_options(self)
 
     def supported_extensions(self):
         help_text = (subprocess.check_output([self.engine_path(), '-h', 'full'], stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
@@ -45,10 +45,19 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
         return version
 
     def get_project_info(self, project_path, timeout=10):
+        """Run ffprobe and parse the output as JSON"""
         try:
-            # Run ffprobe and parse the output as JSON
+            # resolve ffprobe path
+            engine_dir = os.path.dirname(self.engine_path())
+            ffprobe_path = os.path.join(engine_dir, 'ffprobe')
+            if self.engine_path().endswith('.exe'):
+                ffprobe_path += '.exe'
+            if not os.path.exists(ffprobe_path):  # fallback to system install (if available)
+                ffprobe_path = 'ffprobe'
+
+            # run ffprobe
             cmd = [
-                'ffprobe', '-v', 'quiet', '-print_format', 'json',
+                ffprobe_path, '-v', 'quiet', '-print_format', 'json',
                 '-show_streams', '-select_streams', 'v', project_path
             ]
             output = subprocess.check_output(cmd, stderr=subprocess.STDOUT, text=True,
@@ -78,7 +87,7 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
             }
 
         except Exception as e:
-            print(f"An error occurred: {e}")
+            print(f"Failed to get FFMPEG project info: {e}")
             return None
 
     def get_encoders(self):

src/engines/ffmpeg/ffmpeg_ui.py

@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-class FFMPEGUI:
-    @staticmethod
-    def get_options(system_info):
-        options = []
-        return options

src/engines/ffmpeg/ffmpeg_worker.py

@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@ class FFMPEGRenderWorker(BaseRenderWorker):
         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):
+        if self.args.get('resolution', None):
-            cmd.extend(['-vf', f"scale={self.args['x_resolution']}:{self.args['y_resolution']}"])
+            cmd.extend(['-vf', f"scale={self.args['resolution'][0]}:{self.args['resolution'][1]}"])
 
         # Convert raw args from string if available
         raw_args = self.args.get('raw', None)

src/ui/add_job_window.py

@@ -1,32 +1,33 @@
-import copy
 import os.path
-import pathlib
 import socket
-import threading
 
 import psutil
 from PyQt6.QtCore import QThread, pyqtSignal, Qt, pyqtSlot
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication, QWidget, QVBoxLayout, QHBoxLayout, QLabel, QLineEdit, QPushButton, QFileDialog, QSpinBox, QComboBox,
-    QGroupBox, QCheckBox, QProgressBar, QPlainTextEdit, QDoubleSpinBox, QMessageBox, QListWidget, QListWidgetItem
+    QGroupBox, QCheckBox, QProgressBar, QPlainTextEdit, QDoubleSpinBox, QMessageBox, QListWidget, QListWidgetItem,
+    QTabWidget
 )
-from requests import Response
 
 from src.api.server_proxy import RenderServerProxy
 from src.engines.engine_manager import EngineManager
 from src.ui.engine_help_window import EngineHelpViewer
 from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import COMMON_RESOLUTIONS
+from utilities.misc_helper import COMMON_FRAME_RATES
 
 
 class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
     def __init__(self, project_path=None):
         super().__init__()
-        self.notes_group = None
+        self.resolution_options_list = None
-        self.frame_rate_input = None
         self.resolution_x_input = None
-        self.engine_group = None
-        self.output_settings_group = None
         self.resolution_y_input = None
+        self.fps_options_list = None
+        self.fps_input = None
+        self.engine_group = None
+        self.notes_group = None
+        self.output_settings_group = None
         self.project_path = project_path
 
         # UI
@@ -55,152 +56,202 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         self.priority_input = None
         self.end_frame_input = None
         self.start_frame_input = None
-        self.render_name_input = None
+        self.job_name_input = None
         self.scene_file_input = None
         self.scene_file_browse_button = None
-        self.job_name_input = None
+        self.tabs = None
 
         # Job / Server Data
         self.server_proxy = RenderServerProxy(socket.gethostname())
-        self.engine_info = None
         self.project_info = None
+        self.installed_engines = {}
+        self.preferred_engine = None
 
         # Setup
         self.setWindowTitle("New Job")
         self.setup_ui()
-        self.update_engine_info()
         self.setup_project()
 
-        # get renderer info in bg thread
-        # t = threading.Thread(target=self.update_renderer_info)
-        # t.start()
-
         self.show()
 
     def setup_ui(self):
-        # Main Layout
+        # Main widget layout
         main_layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
 
-        # Loading File Group
+        # Tabs
+        self.tabs = QTabWidget()
+
+        # ==================== Loading Section (outside tabs) ====================
         self.load_file_group = QGroupBox("Loading")
         load_file_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.load_file_group)
-        # progress bar
+
         progress_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.process_label = QLabel("Processing")
         self.process_progress_bar = QProgressBar()
         self.process_progress_bar.setMinimum(0)
-        self.process_progress_bar.setMaximum(0)
+        self.process_progress_bar.setMaximum(0)  # Indeterminate
-        self.process_label = QLabel("Processing")
         progress_layout.addWidget(self.process_label)
         progress_layout.addWidget(self.process_progress_bar)
         load_file_layout.addLayout(progress_layout)
-        main_layout.addWidget(self.load_file_group)
 
-        # Project Group
+        # Scene File
-        self.project_group = QGroupBox("Project")
+        job_overview_group = QGroupBox("Project File")
-        server_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.project_group)
+        file_group_layout = QVBoxLayout(job_overview_group)
-        # File Path
+
+        # Job Name
+        job_name_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        job_name_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Job name:"))
+        self.job_name_input = QLineEdit()
+        job_name_layout.addWidget(self.job_name_input)
+        self.engine_type = QComboBox()
+        job_name_layout.addWidget(self.engine_type)
+        file_group_layout.addLayout(job_name_layout)
+
+        # Job File
         scene_file_picker_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        scene_file_picker_layout.addWidget(QLabel("File:"))
         self.scene_file_input = QLineEdit()
         self.scene_file_input.setText(self.project_path)
         self.scene_file_browse_button = QPushButton("Browse...")
         self.scene_file_browse_button.clicked.connect(self.browse_scene_file)
-        scene_file_picker_layout.addWidget(QLabel("File:"))
         scene_file_picker_layout.addWidget(self.scene_file_input)
         scene_file_picker_layout.addWidget(self.scene_file_browse_button)
-        server_layout.addLayout(scene_file_picker_layout)
+        file_group_layout.addLayout(scene_file_picker_layout)
-        # Server List
+
+        main_layout.addWidget(job_overview_group)
+
+        main_layout.addWidget(self.load_file_group)
+        main_layout.addWidget(self.tabs)
+
+        # ==================== Tab 1: Job Settings ====================
+        self.project_group = QWidget()
+        project_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.project_group)  # Fixed: proper parent
+
+        # Server / Hostname
         server_list_layout = QHBoxLayout()
-        server_list_layout.setSpacing(0)
+        server_list_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Render Target:"))
         self.server_input = QComboBox()
-        server_list_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Hostname:"), 1)
+        server_list_layout.addWidget(self.server_input)
-        server_list_layout.addWidget(self.server_input, 3)
+        project_layout.addLayout(server_list_layout)
-        server_layout.addLayout(server_list_layout)
+
-        main_layout.addWidget(self.project_group)
-        self.update_server_list()
         # Priority
         priority_layout = QHBoxLayout()
-        priority_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Priority:"), 1)
+        priority_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Priority:"))
         self.priority_input = QComboBox()
         self.priority_input.addItems(["High", "Medium", "Low"])
         self.priority_input.setCurrentIndex(1)
-        priority_layout.addWidget(self.priority_input, 3)
+        priority_layout.addWidget(self.priority_input)
-        server_layout.addLayout(priority_layout)
+        project_layout.addLayout(priority_layout)
-        # Splitjobs
-        self.enable_splitjobs = QCheckBox("Automatically split render across multiple servers")
-        self.enable_splitjobs.setEnabled(True)
-        server_layout.addWidget(self.enable_splitjobs)
-        self.splitjobs_same_os = QCheckBox("Only render on same OS")
-        self.splitjobs_same_os.setEnabled(True)
-        server_layout.addWidget(self.splitjobs_same_os)
 
-        # Output Settings Group
+        # Split Jobs Options
-        self.output_settings_group = QGroupBox("Output Settings")
+        self.enable_splitjobs = QCheckBox("Automatically split render across multiple servers")
+        project_layout.addWidget(self.enable_splitjobs)
+
+        self.splitjobs_same_os = QCheckBox("Only render on same OS")
+        project_layout.addWidget(self.splitjobs_same_os)
+
+        project_layout.addStretch()  # Push everything up
+
+        # ==================== Tab 2: Output Settings ====================
+        self.output_settings_group = QWidget()
         output_settings_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.output_settings_group)
-        # output path
+
-        render_name_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        # File Format
-        render_name_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Render name:"))
+        format_group = QGroupBox("Format / Range")
-        self.render_name_input = QLineEdit()
+        output_settings_layout.addWidget(format_group)
-        render_name_layout.addWidget(self.render_name_input)
+        format_group_layout = QVBoxLayout()
-        output_settings_layout.addLayout(render_name_layout)
+        format_group.setLayout(format_group_layout)
-        # file format
         file_format_layout = QHBoxLayout()
         file_format_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Format:"))
         self.file_format_combo = QComboBox()
+        self.file_format_combo.setFixedWidth(200)
         file_format_layout.addWidget(self.file_format_combo)
-        output_settings_layout.addLayout(file_format_layout)
+        file_format_layout.addStretch()
-        # frame range
+        format_group_layout.addLayout(file_format_layout)
-        frame_range_layout = QHBoxLayout(self.output_settings_group)
+
+        # Frame Range
+        frame_range_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        frame_range_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Frames:"))
         self.start_frame_input = QSpinBox()
         self.start_frame_input.setRange(1, 99999)
+        self.start_frame_input.setFixedWidth(80)
         self.end_frame_input = QSpinBox()
         self.end_frame_input.setRange(1, 99999)
-        frame_range_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Frames:"))
+        self.end_frame_input.setFixedWidth(80)
         frame_range_layout.addWidget(self.start_frame_input)
         frame_range_layout.addWidget(QLabel("to"))
         frame_range_layout.addWidget(self.end_frame_input)
-        output_settings_layout.addLayout(frame_range_layout)
+        frame_range_layout.addStretch()
-        # resolution
+        format_group_layout.addLayout(frame_range_layout)
-        resolution_layout = QHBoxLayout(self.output_settings_group)
+
+        # --- Resolution & FPS Group ---
+        resolution_group = QGroupBox("Resolution / Frame Rate")
+        output_settings_layout.addWidget(resolution_group)
+        resolution_group_layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        resolution_group.setLayout(resolution_group_layout)
+
+        # Resolution
+        resolution_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.resolution_options_list = QComboBox()
+        self.resolution_options_list.setFixedWidth(200)
+        self.resolution_options_list.addItem("Original Size")
+        for res in COMMON_RESOLUTIONS:
+            self.resolution_options_list.addItem(res)
+        self.resolution_options_list.currentIndexChanged.connect(self._resolution_preset_changed)
+        resolution_layout.addWidget(self.resolution_options_list)
+        resolution_group_layout.addLayout(resolution_layout)
         self.resolution_x_input = QSpinBox()
-        self.resolution_x_input.setRange(1, 9999)  # Assuming max resolution width 9999
+        self.resolution_x_input.setRange(1, 9999)
         self.resolution_x_input.setValue(1920)
-        self.resolution_y_input = QSpinBox()
+        self.resolution_x_input.setFixedWidth(80)
-        self.resolution_y_input.setRange(1, 9999)  # Assuming max resolution height 9999
-        self.resolution_y_input.setValue(1080)
-        self.frame_rate_input = QDoubleSpinBox()
-        self.frame_rate_input.setRange(1, 9999)  # Assuming max resolution width 9999
-        self.frame_rate_input.setDecimals(3)
-        self.frame_rate_input.setValue(23.976)
-        resolution_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Resolution:"))
         resolution_layout.addWidget(self.resolution_x_input)
+        self.resolution_y_input = QSpinBox()
+        self.resolution_y_input.setRange(1, 9999)
+        self.resolution_y_input.setValue(1080)
+        self.resolution_y_input.setFixedWidth(80)
         resolution_layout.addWidget(QLabel("x"))
         resolution_layout.addWidget(self.resolution_y_input)
-        resolution_layout.addWidget(QLabel("@"))
+        resolution_layout.addStretch()
-        resolution_layout.addWidget(self.frame_rate_input)
-        resolution_layout.addWidget(QLabel("fps"))
-        output_settings_layout.addLayout(resolution_layout)
-        # add group to layout
-        main_layout.addWidget(self.output_settings_group)
 
-        # Engine Group
+        fps_layout = QHBoxLayout()
-        self.engine_group = QGroupBox("Engine Settings")
+        self.fps_options_list = QComboBox()
+        self.fps_options_list.setFixedWidth(200)
+        self.fps_options_list.addItem("Original FPS")
+        for fps_option in COMMON_FRAME_RATES:
+            self.fps_options_list.addItem(fps_option)
+        self.fps_options_list.currentIndexChanged.connect(self._fps_preset_changed)
+        fps_layout.addWidget(self.fps_options_list)
+
+        self.fps_input = QDoubleSpinBox()
+        self.fps_input.setDecimals(3)
+        self.fps_input.setRange(1.0, 999.0)
+        self.fps_input.setValue(23.976)
+        self.fps_input.setFixedWidth(80)
+
+        fps_layout.addWidget(self.fps_input)
+        fps_layout.addWidget(QLabel("fps"))
+        fps_layout.addStretch()
+        resolution_group_layout.addLayout(fps_layout)
+
+        output_settings_layout.addStretch()
+
+        # ==================== Tab 3: Engine Settings ====================
+        self.engine_group = QWidget()
         engine_group_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.engine_group)
+
         engine_layout = QHBoxLayout()
-        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Engine:"))
+        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Engine Version:"))
-        self.engine_type = QComboBox()
-        self.engine_type.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.engine_changed)
-        engine_layout.addWidget(self.engine_type)
-        # Version
-        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Version:"))
         self.engine_version_combo = QComboBox()
         self.engine_version_combo.addItem('latest')
         engine_layout.addWidget(self.engine_version_combo)
         engine_group_layout.addLayout(engine_layout)
-        # dynamic options
+
+        # Dynamic engine options
         self.engine_options_layout = QVBoxLayout()
         engine_group_layout.addLayout(self.engine_options_layout)
+
         # Raw Args
-        raw_args_layout = QHBoxLayout(self.engine_group)
+        raw_args_layout = QHBoxLayout()
         raw_args_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Raw Args:"))
         self.raw_args = QLineEdit()
         raw_args_layout.addWidget(self.raw_args)
@@ -208,24 +259,34 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         args_help_button.clicked.connect(self.args_help_button_clicked)
         raw_args_layout.addWidget(args_help_button)
         engine_group_layout.addLayout(raw_args_layout)
-        main_layout.addWidget(self.engine_group)
+        engine_group_layout.addStretch()
 
-        # Cameras Group
+        # ==================== Tab 4: Cameras ====================
-        self.cameras_group = QGroupBox("Cameras")
+        self.cameras_group = QWidget()
         cameras_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.cameras_group)
         self.cameras_list = QListWidget()
-        self.cameras_group.setHidden(True)
+        self.cameras_list.itemChanged.connect(self.update_job_count)
         cameras_layout.addWidget(self.cameras_list)
-        main_layout.addWidget(self.cameras_group)
 
-        # Notes Group
+        # ==================== Tab 5: Misc / Notes ====================
-        self.notes_group = QGroupBox("Additional Notes")
+        self.notes_group = QWidget()
         notes_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.notes_group)
         self.notes_input = QPlainTextEdit()
         notes_layout.addWidget(self.notes_input)
-        main_layout.addWidget(self.notes_group)
 
-        # Submit Button
+        # == Create Tabs
+        self.tabs.addTab(self.project_group, "Job Settings")
+        self.tabs.addTab(self.output_settings_group, "Output Settings")
+        self.tabs.addTab(self.engine_group, "Engine Settings")
+        self.tabs.addTab(self.cameras_group, "Cameras")
+        self.tabs.addTab(self.notes_group, "Notes")
+        self.update_server_list()
+
+        index = self.tabs.indexOf(self.cameras_group)
+        if index != -1:
+            self.tabs.setTabEnabled(index, False)
+
+        # ==================== Submit Section (outside tabs) ====================
         self.submit_button = QPushButton("Submit Job")
         self.submit_button.clicked.connect(self.submit_job)
         main_layout.addWidget(self.submit_button)
@@ -240,17 +301,38 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         self.submit_progress_label.setHidden(True)
         main_layout.addWidget(self.submit_progress_label)
 
+        # Initial engine state
         self.toggle_engine_enablement(False)
+        self.tabs.setCurrentIndex(0)
 
-    def update_engine_info(self):
+    def update_job_count(self, changed_item=None):
-        # get the engine info and add them all to the ui
+        checked = 0
-        self.engine_info = self.server_proxy.get_engine_info(response_type='full')
+        total = self.cameras_list.count()
-        self.engine_type.addItems(self.engine_info.keys())
+
-        # select the best engine for the file type
+        for i in range(total):
-        engine = EngineManager.engine_for_project_path(self.project_path)
+            item = self.cameras_list.item(i)
-        self.engine_type.setCurrentText(engine.name().lower())
+            if item.checkState() == Qt.CheckState.Checked:
-        # refresh ui
+                checked += 1
-        self.engine_changed()
+
+        message = f"Submit {checked} Jobs" if checked > 1 else "Submit Job"
+        self.submit_button.setText(message)
+        self.submit_button.setEnabled(bool(checked))
+
+    def _resolution_preset_changed(self, index):
+        selected_res = COMMON_RESOLUTIONS.get(self.resolution_options_list.currentText())
+        if selected_res:
+            self.resolution_x_input.setValue(selected_res[0])
+            self.resolution_y_input.setValue(selected_res[1])
+        elif index == 0:
+            self.resolution_x_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('resolution_x'))
+            self.resolution_y_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('resolution_y'))
+
+    def _fps_preset_changed(self, index):
+        selected_fps = COMMON_FRAME_RATES.get(self.fps_options_list.currentText())
+        if selected_fps:
+            self.fps_input.setValue(selected_fps)
+        elif index == 0:
+            self.fps_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('fps'))
 
     def engine_changed(self):
         # load the version numbers
@@ -259,9 +341,13 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         self.engine_version_combo.addItem('latest')
         self.file_format_combo.clear()
         if current_engine:
-            engine_vers = [version_info['version'] for version_info in self.engine_info[current_engine]['versions']]
+            engine_info = self.server_proxy.get_engine_info(current_engine, 'full', timeout=10)
+            self.current_engine_options = engine_info.get('options', [])
+            if not engine_info:
+                raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot get information about engine '{current_engine}'")
+            engine_vers = [v['version'] for v in engine_info['versions']]
             self.engine_version_combo.addItems(engine_vers)
-            self.file_format_combo.addItems(self.engine_info[current_engine]['supported_export_formats'])
+            self.file_format_combo.addItems(engine_info.get('supported_export_formats'))
 
     def update_server_list(self):
         clients = ZeroconfServer.found_hostnames()
@@ -282,18 +368,19 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
 
         output_name, _ = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(self.scene_file_input.text()))
         output_name = output_name.replace(' ', '_')
-        self.render_name_input.setText(output_name)
+        self.job_name_input.setText(output_name)
         file_name = self.scene_file_input.text()
 
         # setup bg worker
         self.worker_thread = GetProjectInfoWorker(window=self, project_path=file_name)
         self.worker_thread.message_signal.connect(self.post_get_project_info_update)
+        self.worker_thread.error_signal.connect(self.show_error_message)
         self.worker_thread.start()
 
     def browse_output_path(self):
         directory = QFileDialog.getExistingDirectory(self, "Select Output Directory")
         if directory:
-            self.render_name_input.setText(directory)
+            self.job_name_input.setText(directory)
 
     def args_help_button_clicked(self):
         url = (f'http://{self.server_proxy.hostname}:{self.server_proxy.port}/api/engine/'
@@ -301,14 +388,26 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         self.engine_help_viewer = EngineHelpViewer(url)
         self.engine_help_viewer.show()
 
+    def show_error_message(self, message):
+        msg = QMessageBox(self)
+        msg.setIcon(QMessageBox.Icon.Critical)
+        msg.setWindowTitle("Error")
+        msg.setText(message)
+        msg.exec()
+
 # -------- Update --------
 
     def post_get_project_info_update(self):
         """Called by the GetProjectInfoWorker - Do not call directly."""
         try:
+
+            self.engine_type.addItems(self.installed_engines.keys())
+            self.engine_type.setCurrentText(self.preferred_engine)
+            self.engine_changed()
+
             # Set the best engine we can find
             input_path = self.scene_file_input.text()
-            engine = EngineManager.engine_for_project_path(input_path)
+            engine = EngineManager.engine_class_for_project_path(input_path)
 
             engine_index = self.engine_type.findText(engine.name().lower())
             if engine_index >= 0:
@@ -326,12 +425,13 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
             self.end_frame_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('frame_end'))
             self.resolution_x_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('resolution_x'))
             self.resolution_y_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('resolution_y'))
-            self.frame_rate_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('fps'))
+            self.fps_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('fps'))
 
             # Cameras
             self.cameras_list.clear()
+            index = self.tabs.indexOf(self.cameras_group)
             if self.project_info.get('cameras'):
-                self.cameras_group.setHidden(False)
+                self.tabs.setTabEnabled(index, True)
                 found_active = False
                 for camera in self.project_info['cameras']:
                     # create the list items and make them checkable
@@ -344,13 +444,12 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
                 if not found_active:
                     self.cameras_list.item(0).setCheckState(Qt.CheckState.Checked)
             else:
-                self.cameras_group.setHidden(True)
+                self.tabs.setTabEnabled(index, False)
+            self.update_job_count()
 
             # Dynamic Engine Options
             clear_layout(self.engine_options_layout)  # clear old options
             # dynamically populate option list
-            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()
                 label = QLabel(option['name'].replace('_', ' ').capitalize() + ':')
@@ -369,12 +468,13 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
 
     def toggle_engine_enablement(self, enabled=False):
         """Toggle on/off all the render settings"""
-        self.project_group.setHidden(not enabled)
+        indexes = [self.tabs.indexOf(self.project_group),
-        self.output_settings_group.setHidden(not enabled)
+                   self.tabs.indexOf(self.output_settings_group),
-        self.engine_group.setHidden(not enabled)
+                   self.tabs.indexOf(self.engine_group),
-        self.notes_group.setHidden(not enabled)
+                   self.tabs.indexOf(self.cameras_group),
-        if not enabled:
+                   self.tabs.indexOf(self.notes_group)]
-            self.cameras_group.setHidden(True)
+        for idx in indexes:
+            self.tabs.setTabEnabled(idx, enabled)
         self.submit_button.setEnabled(enabled)
 
     def after_job_submission(self, error_string):
@@ -449,19 +549,22 @@ class SubmitWorker(QThread):
 
         try:
             hostname = self.window.server_input.currentText()
+            resolution = (self.window.resolution_x_input.text(), self.window.resolution_y_input.text())
             job_json = {'owner': psutil.Process().username() + '@' + socket.gethostname(),
                         'engine_name': self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower(),
                         'engine_version': self.window.engine_version_combo.currentText(),
                         'args': {'raw': self.window.raw_args.text(),
-                                 'export_format': self.window.file_format_combo.currentText()},
+                                 'export_format': self.window.file_format_combo.currentText(),
-                        'output_path': self.window.render_name_input.text(),
+                                 'resolution': resolution,
+                                 'fps': self.window.fps_input.text(),},
+                        'output_path': self.window.job_name_input.text(),
                         'start_frame': self.window.start_frame_input.value(),
                         'end_frame': self.window.end_frame_input.value(),
                         'priority': self.window.priority_input.currentIndex() + 1,
                         'notes': self.window.notes_input.toPlainText(),
                         'enable_split_jobs': self.window.enable_splitjobs.isChecked(),
                         'split_jobs_same_os': self.window.splitjobs_same_os.isChecked(),
-                        'name': self.window.render_name_input.text()}
+                        'name': self.window.job_name_input.text()}
 
             # get the dynamic args
             for i in range(self.window.engine_options_layout.count()):
@@ -496,9 +599,10 @@ class SubmitWorker(QThread):
                     children_jobs.append(child_job_data)
                 job_json['child_jobs'] = children_jobs
 
-            # presubmission tasks
+            # presubmission tasks - use local installs
-            engine = EngineManager.engine_with_name(self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower())
+            engine_class = EngineManager.engine_class_with_name(self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower())
-            input_path = engine().perform_presubmission_tasks(input_path)
+            latest_engine = EngineManager.get_latest_engine_instance(engine_class)
+            input_path = latest_engine.perform_presubmission_tasks(input_path)
             # submit
             err_msg = ""
             result = self.window.server_proxy.post_job_to_server(file_path=input_path, job_data=job_json,
@@ -516,6 +620,7 @@ class GetProjectInfoWorker(QThread):
     """Worker class called to retrieve information about a project file on a background thread and update the UI"""
 
     message_signal = pyqtSignal()
+    error_signal = pyqtSignal(str)
 
     def __init__(self, window, project_path):
         super().__init__()
@@ -523,9 +628,19 @@ class GetProjectInfoWorker(QThread):
         self.project_path = project_path
 
     def run(self):
-        engine = EngineManager.engine_for_project_path(self.project_path)
+        try:
-        self.window.project_info = engine().get_project_info(self.project_path)
+            # get the engine info and add them all to the ui
+            self.window.installed_engines = self.window.server_proxy.get_installed_engines()
+            # select the best engine for the file type
+            self.window.preferred_engine = self.window.server_proxy.get_engine_for_filename(self.project_path)
+
+            # this should be the only time we use a local engine instead of using the proxy besides submitting
+            engine_class = EngineManager.engine_class_for_project_path(self.project_path)
+            engine = EngineManager.get_latest_engine_instance(engine_class)
+            self.window.project_info = engine.get_project_info(self.project_path)
             self.message_signal.emit()
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.error_signal.emit(str(e))
 
 
 def clear_layout(layout):

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_engine_info()
+            raw_server_data = RenderServerProxy(self.hostname).get_all_engine_info()
             if not raw_server_data:
                 return
 

src/ui/main_window.py

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 import ast
 import datetime
 import io
-import json
 import logging
 import os
 import sys
@@ -10,18 +9,17 @@ import threading
 import time
 
 import PIL
+import humanize
 from PIL import Image
-from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt, QByteArray, QBuffer, QIODevice, QThread
+from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt, QByteArray, QBuffer, QIODevice, QThread, pyqtSignal
 from PyQt6.QtGui import QPixmap, QImage, QFont, QIcon
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QMainWindow, QWidget, QHBoxLayout, QListWidget, QTableWidget, QAbstractItemView, \
     QTableWidgetItem, QLabel, QVBoxLayout, QHeaderView, QMessageBox, QGroupBox, QPushButton, QListWidgetItem, \
     QFileDialog
 
 from src.api.api_server import API_VERSION
+from src.api.serverproxy_manager import ServerProxyManager
 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_window import NewRenderJobForm
 from src.ui.console_window import ConsoleWindow
 from src.ui.engine_browser import EngineBrowserWindow
@@ -30,8 +28,10 @@ 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 get_time_elapsed, resources_dir, is_localhost
-from src.utilities.misc_helper import launch_url, iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import launch_url
+from src.utilities.status_utils import RenderStatus
+from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
 from src.version import APP_NAME
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
@@ -99,8 +99,10 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.create_toolbars()
 
         # start background update
-        self.bg_update_thread = QThread()
+        self.found_servers = []
-        self.bg_update_thread.run = self.__background_update
+        self.job_data = {}
+        self.bg_update_thread = BackgroundUpdater(window=self)
+        self.bg_update_thread.updated_signal.connect(self.update_ui_data)
         self.bg_update_thread.start()
 
         # Setup other windows
@@ -161,44 +163,35 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.job_list_view.verticalHeader().setVisible(False)
         self.job_list_view.itemSelectionChanged.connect(self.job_picked)
         self.job_list_view.setEditTriggers(QAbstractItemView.EditTrigger.NoEditTriggers)
-        self.refresh_job_headers()
 
-        # Image Layout
+        # Setup Job Headers
-        image_group = QGroupBox("Job Preview")
+        self.job_list_view.setHorizontalHeaderLabels(["ID", "Name", "Engine", "Priority", "Status",
-        image_layout = QVBoxLayout(image_group)
+                                                      "Time Elapsed", "Frames", "Date Created"])
-        image_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        self.job_list_view.setColumnHidden(0, True)
-        image_center_layout = QHBoxLayout()
-        image_center_layout.addWidget(self.image_label)
-        image_layout.addWidget(self.image_label)
-        # image_layout.addLayout(image_center_layout)
 
-        # Job Layout
+        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(1, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.Stretch)
-        job_list_group = QGroupBox("Render Jobs")
+        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(2, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
+        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(3, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
+        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(4, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
+        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(5, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
+        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(6, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
+        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(7, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
+
+        # Job List Layout
+        job_list_group = QGroupBox("Job Preview")
         job_list_layout = QVBoxLayout(job_list_group)
         job_list_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
-        image_layout.addWidget(self.job_list_view, stretch=True)
+        job_list_layout.addWidget(self.image_label)
-        image_layout.addLayout(job_list_layout)
+        job_list_layout.addWidget(self.job_list_view, stretch=True)
 
         # Add them all to the window
         main_layout.addLayout(info_layout)
 
         right_layout = QVBoxLayout()
         right_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
-        right_layout.addWidget(image_group)
+        right_layout.addWidget(job_list_group)
-        # right_layout.addWidget(job_list_group)
         main_layout.addLayout(right_layout)
 
-    def __background_update(self):
-        while True:
-            try:
-                self.update_servers()
-                self.fetch_jobs()
-            except RuntimeError:
-                pass
-            except Exception as e:
-                logger.error(f"Uncaught exception in background update: {e}")
-            time.sleep(0.5)
-
     def closeEvent(self, event):
         running_jobs = len(RenderQueue.running_jobs())
         if running_jobs:
@@ -214,6 +207,10 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
 
 # -- Server Code -- #
 
+    def refresh_job_list(self):
+        self.job_list_view.clearContents()
+        self.bg_update_thread.needs_update = True
+
     @property
     def current_server_proxy(self):
         return ServerProxyManager.get_proxy_for_hostname(self.current_hostname)
@@ -229,7 +226,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
                 # Update the current hostname and clear the job list
                 self.current_hostname = new_hostname
                 self.job_list_view.setRowCount(0)
-                self.fetch_jobs(clear_table=True)
+                self.refresh_job_list()
 
                 # Select the first row if there are jobs listed
                 if self.job_list_view.rowCount():
@@ -281,21 +278,19 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.server_info_ram.setText(memory_info)
         self.server_info_gpu.setText(gpu_info)
 
-    def fetch_jobs(self, clear_table=False):
+    def update_ui_data(self):
+
+        self.update_servers()
 
         if not self.current_server_proxy:
             return
 
-        if clear_table:
+        server_job_data = self.job_data.get(self.current_server_proxy.hostname)
-            self.job_list_view.clear()
+        if server_job_data:
-            self.refresh_job_headers()
+            num_jobs = len(server_job_data)
-
-        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)
 
-            for row, job in enumerate(job_fetch):
+            for row, job in enumerate(server_job_data):
 
                 display_status = job['status'] if job['status'] != RenderStatus.RUNNING.value else \
                     ('%.0f%%' % (job['percent_complete'] * 100))  # if running, show percent, otherwise just show status
@@ -307,14 +302,15 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
                     get_time_elapsed(start_time, end_time)
 
                 name = job.get('name') or os.path.basename(job.get('input_path', ''))
-                engine_name = f"{job.get('renderer', '')}-{job.get('renderer_version')}"
+                engine_name = f"{job.get('engine', '')}-{job.get('engine_version')}"
                 priority = str(job.get('priority', ''))
                 total_frames = str(job.get('total_frames', ''))
-                date_created_string = iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring(job['date_created'])
+                converted_time = datetime.datetime.fromisoformat(job['date_created'])
+                humanized_time = humanize.naturaltime(converted_time)
 
                 items = [QTableWidgetItem(job['id']), QTableWidgetItem(name), QTableWidgetItem(engine_name),
                          QTableWidgetItem(priority), QTableWidgetItem(display_status), QTableWidgetItem(time_elapsed),
-                         QTableWidgetItem(total_frames), QTableWidgetItem(date_created_string)]
+                         QTableWidgetItem(total_frames), QTableWidgetItem(humanized_time)]
 
                 for col, item in enumerate(items):
                     self.job_list_view.setItem(row, col, item)
@@ -395,18 +391,6 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         except AttributeError:
             return []
 
-    def refresh_job_headers(self):
-        self.job_list_view.setHorizontalHeaderLabels(["ID", "Name", "Engine", "Priority", "Status",
-                                                      "Time Elapsed", "Frames", "Date Created"])
-        self.job_list_view.setColumnHidden(0, True)
-
-        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(1, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.Stretch)
-        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(2, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
-        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(3, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
-        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(4, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
-        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(5, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
-        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(6, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
-        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(7, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
 
 # -- Image Code -- #
 
@@ -444,28 +428,25 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             logger.error(f"Error loading image data: {e}")
 
     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]):
+        if self.found_servers and not is_localhost(self.found_servers[0]):
-            for hostname in found_servers:
+            for hostname in self.found_servers:
                 if is_localhost(hostname):
-                    found_servers.remove(hostname)
+                    self.found_servers.remove(hostname)
-                    found_servers.insert(0, hostname)
+                    self.found_servers.insert(0, hostname)
                     break
 
         old_count = self.server_list_view.count()
 
         # Update proxys
-        for hostname in found_servers:
+        for hostname in self.found_servers:
             ServerProxyManager.get_proxy_for_hostname(hostname)  # setup background updates
 
         # Add in all the missing servers
         current_server_list = []
         for i in range(self.server_list_view.count()):
             current_server_list.append(self.server_list_view.item(i).text())
-        for hostname in found_servers:
+        for hostname in self.found_servers:
             if hostname not in current_server_list:
                 properties = ZeroconfServer.get_hostname_properties(hostname)
                 image_path = os.path.join(resources_dir(), f"{properties.get('system_os', 'Monitor')}.png")
@@ -476,7 +457,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         servers_to_remove = []
         for i in range(self.server_list_view.count()):
             name = self.server_list_view.item(i).text()
-            if name not in found_servers:
+            if name not in self.found_servers:
                 servers_to_remove.append(name)
 
         # remove any servers that shouldn't be shown any longer
@@ -572,7 +553,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         if msg_box.exec() == QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
             for job_id in job_ids:
                 self.current_server_proxy.cancel_job(job_id, confirm=True)
-            self.fetch_jobs(clear_table=True)
+            self.refresh_job_list()
 
     def delete_job(self, event):
         """
@@ -599,7 +580,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         if msg_box.exec() == QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
             for job_id in job_ids:
                 self.current_server_proxy.delete_job(job_id, confirm=True)
-            self.fetch_jobs(clear_table=True)
+            self.refresh_job_list()
 
     def download_files(self, event):
 
@@ -630,6 +611,36 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             self.new_job_window.show()
 
 
+class BackgroundUpdater(QThread):
+    """Worker class to fetch job and server information and update the UI"""
+
+    updated_signal = pyqtSignal()
+    error_signal = pyqtSignal(str)
+
+    def __init__(self, window):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.window = window
+        self.needs_update = True
+
+    def run(self):
+        try:
+            last_run = 0
+            while True:
+                now = time.monotonic()
+                if now - last_run >= 1.0 or self.needs_update:
+                    self.window.found_servers = list(set(ZeroconfServer.found_hostnames() + self.window.added_hostnames))
+                    self.window.found_servers = [x for x in self.window.found_servers if
+                                          ZeroconfServer.get_hostname_properties(x)['api_version'] == API_VERSION]
+                    if self.window.current_server_proxy:
+                        self.window.job_data[self.window.current_server_proxy.hostname] =\
+                            self.window.current_server_proxy.get_all_jobs(ignore_token=False)
+                    self.needs_update = False
+                    self.updated_signal.emit()
+                time.sleep(0.05)
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"ERROR: {e}")
+            self.error_signal.emit(str(e))
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     # lazy load GUI frameworks
     from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication

src/ui/settings_window.py

@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class GetEngineInfoWorker(QThread):
         self.parent = parent
 
     def run(self):
-        data = RenderServerProxy(socket.gethostname()).get_engine_info()
+        data = RenderServerProxy(socket.gethostname()).get_all_engine_info()
         self.done.emit(data)
 
 class SettingsWindow(QMainWindow):
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ class SettingsWindow(QMainWindow):
                     msg_result = msg_box.exec()
                     messagebox_shown = True
                     if msg_result == QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
-                        EngineManager.download_engine(engine=engine.name(), version=result['version'], background=True,
+                        EngineManager.download_engine(engine_name=engine.name(), version=result['version'], background=True,
                                                       ignore_system=ignore_system)
                         self.engine_download_progress_bar.setHidden(False)
                         self.engine_download_progress_bar.setValue(0)

src/utilities/misc_helper.py

@@ -249,20 +249,6 @@ def num_to_alphanumeric(num):
     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"""
 
@@ -384,3 +370,56 @@ def get_gpu_info():
         return get_windows_gpu_info()
     else:  # Assume Linux or other
         return get_linux_gpu_info()
+
+COMMON_RESOLUTIONS = {
+	# SD
+	"SD_480p": (640, 480),
+	"NTSC_DVD": (720, 480),
+	"PAL_DVD": (720, 576),
+
+	# HD
+	"HD_720p": (1280, 720),
+	"HD_900p": (1600, 900),
+	"HD_1080p": (1920, 1080),
+
+	# Cinema / Film
+	"2K_DCI": (2048, 1080),
+	"4K_DCI": (4096, 2160),
+
+	# UHD / Consumer
+	"UHD_4K": (3840, 2160),
+	"UHD_5K": (5120, 2880),
+	"UHD_8K": (7680, 4320),
+
+	# Ultrawide / Aspect Variants
+	"UW_1080p": (2560, 1080),
+	"UW_1440p": (3440, 1440),
+	"UW_5K": (5120, 2160),
+
+	# Mobile / Social
+	"VERTICAL_1080x1920": (1080, 1920),
+	"SQUARE_1080": (1080, 1080),
+
+	# Classic / Legacy
+	"VGA": (640, 480),
+	"SVGA": (800, 600),
+	"XGA": (1024, 768),
+	"WXGA": (1280, 800),
+}
+
+COMMON_FRAME_RATES = {
+	"23.976 (NTSC Film)": 23.976,
+	"24 (Cinema)": 24.0,
+	"25 (PAL)": 25.0,
+	"29.97 (NTSC)": 29.97,
+	"30": 30.0,
+	"48 (HFR Film)": 48.0,
+	"50 (PAL HFR)": 50.0,
+	"59.94": 59.94,
+	"60": 60.0,
+	"72": 72.0,
+	"90 (VR)": 90.0,
+	"120": 120.0,
+	"144 (Gaming)": 144.0,
+	"240 (HFR)": 240.0,
+}