Add missing docstrings and pylint improvements (#130)

* Change uses of os.path to use Pathlib

* Add return types and type hints

* Add more docstrings

* Add missing import to api_server

README.md

@@ -4,43 +4,193 @@
 
 # Zordon
 
-A lightweight, zero-install, distributed rendering and management tool designed to streamline and optimize rendering workflows across multiple machines
+A Python-based distributed rendering management tool that supports Blender, FFmpeg, and other render engines. Zordon efficiently manages render jobs across multiple machines, making it ideal for small render farms in home studios or small businesses.
 
 ## What is Zordon?
 
-Zordon is tool designed for small render farms, such as those used in home studios or small businesses, to efficiently manage and run render jobs for Blender, FFMPEG, and other video renderers. It simplifies the process of distributing rendering tasks across multiple available machines, optimizing the rendering workflow for artists, animators, and video professionals.
+Zordon is a tool designed for small render farms, such as those used in home studios or small businesses, to efficiently manage and run render jobs for Blender, FFmpeg, and other video renderers. It simplifies the process of distributing rendering tasks across multiple available machines, optimizing the rendering workflow for artists, animators, and video professionals.
+
+The system works by:
+- **Server**: Central coordinator that manages job queues and distributes tasks to available workers
+- **Clients**: Lightweight workers that run on rendering machines and execute assigned jobs
+- **API**: RESTful endpoints for programmatic job submission and monitoring
+
+## Features
+
+- **Distributed Rendering**: Queue and distribute render jobs across multiple machines
+- **Multi-Engine Support**: Compatible with Blender, FFmpeg, and extensible to other render engines
+- **Desktop UI**: PyQt6 interface for job management and monitoring
+- **REST API**: Flask-based API for programmatic access
+- **Cross-Platform**: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
+- **Zero-Install Clients**: Lightweight client executables for worker machines
+
+## Installation
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- Python 3.11 or later
+- Git
+
+### Setup
+
+1. Clone the repository:
+   ```bash
+   git clone https://github.com/blw1138/Zordon.git
+   cd Zordon
+   ```
+
+2. Install dependencies:
+   ```bash
+   pip install -r requirements.txt
+   ```
+
+3. (Optional) Install PyInstaller for building executables:
+   ```bash
+   pip install pyinstaller pyinstaller_versionfile
+   ```
+
+## Usage
+
+### Quick Start
+
+1. **Start the Server**: Run the central server to coordinate jobs.
+   ```bash
+   python server.py
+   ```
+
+2. **Launch Clients**: On each rendering machine, run the client to connect to the server.
+   ```bash
+   python client.py
+   ```
 
 
-Notice: This should be considered a beta and is meant for casual / hobbiest use. Do not use in mission critical environments!
 
-## Supported Renderers
+### Detailed Workflow
 
-Zordon supports or plans to support the following renderers:
+#### Setting Up a Render Farm
+
+1. Choose one machine as the server (preferably a dedicated machine with good network connectivity).
+2. Build and distribute client executables to worker machines:
+   ```bash
+   pyinstaller client.spec
+   ```
+   Copy the generated executable to each worker machine.
+
+3. Ensure all machines can communicate via network (same subnet recommended).
+
+#### Submitting Render Jobs
+
+Jobs can be submitted via the desktop UI or programmatically via the API:
+
+- **Via UI**: Use the desktop interface to upload project files, specify render settings, and queue jobs.
+- **Via API**: Send POST requests to `/api/jobs` with job configuration in JSON format.
+
+Example API request:
+```bash
+curl -X POST http://localhost:5000/api/jobs \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{
+    "engine": "blender",
+    "project_path": "/path/to/project.blend",
+    "output_path": "/path/to/output",
+    "frames": "1-100",
+    "settings": {"resolution": "1920x1080"}
+  }'
+```
+
+#### Monitoring and Managing Jobs
+
+- **UI**: View job status, progress, logs, and worker availability in real-time.
+- **API Endpoints**:
+  - `GET /api/jobs`: List all jobs
+  - `GET /api/jobs/{id}`: Get job details
+  - `DELETE /api/jobs/{id}`: Cancel a job
+  - `GET /api/workers`: List connected workers
+
+#### Worker Management
+
+Workers automatically connect to the server when started. You can:
+- View worker status and capabilities in the dashboard
+- Configure worker priorities and resource limits
+- Monitor CPU/GPU usage per worker
+
+### Development Mode
+
+For development and testing:
+
+Run the server:
+```bash
+python server.py
+```
+
+Run a client (can run multiple for testing):
+```bash
+python client.py
+```
+
+
+### Building Executables
+
+Build server executable:
+```bash
+pyinstaller server.spec
+```
+
+Build client executable:
+```bash
+pyinstaller client.spec
+```
+
+## Configuration
+
+Settings are stored in `src/utilities/config.py`. Supports YAML/JSON for data serialization and environment-specific configurations.
+
+## Architecture
+
+Zordon follows a modular architecture with the following key components:
+
+- **API Server** (`src/api/`): Flask-based REST API
+- **Engine System** (`src/engines/`): Pluggable render engines (Blender, FFmpeg, etc.)
+- **UI** (`src/ui/`): PyQt6-based interface
+- **Job Management** (`src/render_queue.py`): Distributed job queue
+
+Design patterns include Factory Pattern for engine creation, Observer Pattern for status updates, and Strategy Pattern for different worker implementations.
+
+## Contributing
+
+1. Fork the repository
+2. Create a feature branch: `git checkout -b feature/your-feature`
+3. Follow the code style guidelines in `AGENTS.md`
+4. Test the build: `pyinstaller server.spec`
+5. Submit a pull request
+
+### Commit Message Format
+
+```
+feat: add support for new render engine
+fix: resolve crash when engine path is invalid
+docs: update API documentation
+refactor: simplify job status handling
+```
+
+## Supported Render Engines
 
 - **Blender**
-- **FFMPEG**
-- **Adobe After Effects** ([coming soon](https://github.com/blw1138/Zordon/issues/84))
-- **Cinema 4D** ([planned](https://github.com/blw1138/Zordon/issues/105))
-- **Autodesk Maya** ([planned](https://github.com/blw1138/Zordon/issues/106))
+- **FFmpeg**
+- **Adobe After Effects** (planned)
+- **Cinema 4D** (planned)
+- **Autodesk Maya** (planned)
 
 ## System Requirements
 
 - Windows 10 or later
 - macOS Ventura (13.0) or later
-- Linux (Supported versions TBD)
-
-## Build using Pyinstaller
-
-Zordon is regularly tested with Python 3.11 and later. It's packaged and distributed with pyinstaller. It is supported on Windows, macOS and Linux.
-
-```
-git clone https://github.com/blw1138/Zordon.git
-pip3 install -r requirements.txt
-pip3 install pyinstaller
-pip3 install pyinstaller_versionfile
-pyinstaller main.spec
-```
+- Linux (supported versions TBD)
 
 ## License
 
 Zordon is licensed under the MIT License. See the [LICENSE](LICENSE.txt) file for more details.
+
+## Notice
+
+This software is in beta and intended for casual/hobbyist use. Not recommended for mission-critical environments.

add_job.py

@@ -5,10 +5,9 @@ import logging
 import os
 import socket
 import sys
-import threading
 import time
 
-from server import start_server
+from server import ZordonServer
 from src.api.serverproxy_manager import ServerProxyManager
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
@@ -84,23 +83,30 @@ def main():
     found_proxy = ServerProxyManager.get_proxy_for_hostname(local_hostname)
 
     is_connected = found_proxy.check_connection()
+    adhoc_server = None
     if not is_connected:
-        local_server_thread = threading.Thread(target=start_server, args=[True], daemon=True)
-        local_server_thread.start()
+        adhoc_server = ZordonServer()
+        adhoc_server.start_server()
+        found_proxy = ServerProxyManager.get_proxy_for_hostname(adhoc_server.server_hostname)
         while not is_connected:
             # todo: add timeout
-            # is_connected = found_proxy.check_connection()
+            is_connected = found_proxy.check_connection()
             time.sleep(1)
 
-    new_job = {"name": job_name, "engine": args.engine}
-    response = found_proxy.post_job_to_server(file_path, [new_job])
+    new_job = {"name": job_name, "engine_name": args.engine}
+    try:
+        response = found_proxy.post_job_to_server(file_path, new_job)
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Error creating job: {e}")
+        exit(1)
+
     if response and response.ok:
         print(f"Uploaded to {found_proxy.hostname} successfully!")
-        running_job_data = response.json()[0]
+        running_job_data = response.json()
         job_id = running_job_data.get('id')
         print(f"Job {job_id} Summary:")
         print(f"  Status           : {running_job_data.get('status')}")
-        print(f"  Engine           : {running_job_data.get('engine')}-{running_job_data.get('engine_version')}")
+        print(f"  Engine           : {running_job_data.get('engine_name')}-{running_job_data.get('engine_version')}")
 
         print("\nWaiting for render to complete...")
         percent_complete = 0.0
@@ -114,6 +120,11 @@ def main():
             print(f"Percent Complete: {percent_complete:.2%}")
             sys.stdout.flush()
         print("Finished rendering successfully!")
+    else:
+        print(f"Failed to upload job. {response.text} !")
+
+    if adhoc_server:
+        adhoc_server.stop_server()
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":

client.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import logging
 import threading
 from collections import deque
 
-from server import start_server
+from server import ZordonServer
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ def __setup_buffer_handler():
 
     class BufferingHandler(logging.Handler, QObject):
         new_record = pyqtSignal(str)
+        flushOnClose = True
 
         def __init__(self, capacity=100):
             logging.Handler.__init__(self)
@@ -52,12 +53,25 @@ def __show_gui(buffer_handler):
     window.buffer_handler = buffer_handler
     window.show()
 
-    return app.exec()
+    exit_code = app.exec()
+
+    # cleanup: remove and close the GUI logging handler before interpreter shutdown
+    root_logger = logging.getLogger()
+    if buffer_handler in root_logger.handlers:
+        root_logger.removeHandler(buffer_handler)
+    try:
+        buffer_handler.close()
+    except Exception:
+        # never let logging cleanup throw during shutdown
+        pass
+
+    return exit_code
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     import sys
 
-    local_server_thread = threading.Thread(target=start_server, args=[True], daemon=True)
-    local_server_thread.start()
+    server = ZordonServer()
+    server.start_server()
     __show_gui(__setup_buffer_handler())
+    server.stop_server()
     sys.exit()

client.spec

@@ -1,121 +1,158 @@
 # -*- 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']
-tmp_ret = collect_all('zeroconf')
-datas += tmp_ret[0]; binaries += tmp_ret[1]; hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
+hiddenimports = ["zeroconf", "src.version"]
 
+tmp_ret = collect_all("zeroconf")
+datas += tmp_ret[0]
+binaries += tmp_ret[1]
+hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Analysis
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
 
 a = Analysis(
-    ['client.py'],
-    pathex=[],
-    binaries=binaries,
-    datas=datas,
-    hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
-    hookspath=[],
-    hooksconfig={},
-    runtime_hooks=[],
-    excludes=[],
-    noarchive=False,
-    optimize=1,  # fyi: optim level 2 breaks on windows
+	["client.py"],
+	pathex=[str(project_root)],
+	binaries=binaries,
+	datas=datas,
+	hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
+	hookspath=[],
+	hooksconfig={},
+	runtime_hooks=[],
+	excludes=[],
+	noarchive=False,
+	optimize=1,  # optimize=2 breaks Windows builds
 )
+
 pyz = PYZ(a.pure)
 
-if platform.system() == 'Darwin':  # macOS
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Platform targets
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    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
-    )
+if platform.system() == "Darwin":  # macOS
 
-elif platform.system() == 'Windows':
+	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,
+	)
 
-    import pyinstaller_versionfile
-    import tempfile
+	app = BUNDLE(
+		exe,
+		a.binaries,
+		a.datas,
+		strip=True,
+		name=f"{APP_NAME}.app",
+		icon="resources/Server.png",
+		bundle_identifier=None,
+		version=APP_VERSION,
+	)
 
-    version_file_path = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), 'versionfile.txt')
+elif platform.system() == "Windows":
 
-    pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
-        output_file=version_file_path,
-        version=APP_VERSION,
-        company_name=APP_AUTHOR,
-        file_description=APP_NAME,
-        internal_name=APP_NAME,
-        legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
-        original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
-        product_name=APP_NAME
-    )
+	import pyinstaller_versionfile
+	import tempfile
 
-    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,
-        version=version_file_path
-    )
+	version_file_path = os.path.join(
+		tempfile.gettempdir(), "versionfile.txt"
+	)
 
-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
-    )
+	pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
+		output_file=version_file_path,
+		version=APP_VERSION,
+		company_name=APP_AUTHOR,
+		file_description=APP_NAME,
+		internal_name=APP_NAME,
+		legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
+		original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
+		product_name=APP_NAME,
+	)
+
+	exe = EXE(
+		pyz,
+		a.scripts,
+		a.binaries,
+		a.datas,
+		[],
+		name=APP_NAME,
+		debug=False,
+		bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
+		strip=True,
+		upx=True,
+		console=False,
+		disable_windowed_traceback=False,
+		argv_emulation=False,
+		target_arch=None,
+		codesign_identity=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,
+	)

job_launcher.py

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

server.py

@@ -2,10 +2,9 @@ import logging
 import multiprocessing
 import os
 import socket
-import sys
 import threading
+from pathlib import Path
 
-import cpuinfo
 import psutil
 
 from src.api.api_server import API_VERSION
@@ -16,93 +15,79 @@ from src.distributed_job_manager import DistributedJobManager
 from src.engines.engine_manager import EngineManager
 from src.render_queue import RenderQueue
 from src.utilities.config import Config
-from src.utilities.misc_helper import (get_gpu_info, system_safe_path, current_system_cpu, current_system_os,
-                                       current_system_os_version, current_system_cpu_brand, check_for_updates)
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import (get_gpu_info, current_system_cpu, current_system_os,
+                                       current_system_os_version, current_system_cpu_brand)
 from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
-from src.version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER
+from src.version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 
 
-def start_server(skip_updates=False) -> int:
-    """Initializes the application and runs it.
+class ZordonServer:
 
-    Args:
-        server_only: Run in server-only CLI mode. Default is False (runs in GUI mode).
+    def __init__(self):
+        # setup logging
+        logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s: %(levelname)s: %(module)s: %(message)s', datefmt='%d-%b-%y %H:%M:%S',
+                            level=Config.server_log_level.upper())
+        logging.getLogger("requests").setLevel(logging.WARNING)  # suppress noisy requests/urllib3 logging
+        logging.getLogger("urllib3").setLevel(logging.WARNING)
 
-    Returns:
-        int: The exit status code.
-    """
-
-    def existing_process(process_name):
-        import psutil
-        current_pid = os.getpid()
-        current_process = psutil.Process(current_pid)
-        for proc in psutil.process_iter(['pid', 'name', 'ppid']):
-            proc_name = proc.info['name'].lower().rstrip('.exe')
-            if proc_name == process_name.lower() and proc.info['pid'] != current_pid:
-                if proc.info['pid'] == current_process.ppid():
-                    continue  # parent process
-                elif proc.info['ppid'] == current_pid:
-                    continue  # child process
-                else:
-                    return proc  # unrelated process
-        return None
-
-    # setup logging
-    logging.basicConfig(format='%(asctime)s: %(levelname)s: %(module)s: %(message)s', datefmt='%d-%b-%y %H:%M:%S',
-                        level=Config.server_log_level.upper())
-    logging.getLogger("requests").setLevel(logging.WARNING)  # suppress noisy requests/urllib3 logging
-    logging.getLogger("urllib3").setLevel(logging.WARNING)
-
-    # check for existing instance
-    existing_proc = existing_process(APP_NAME)
-    if existing_proc:
-        logger.fatal(f"Another instance of {APP_NAME} is already running (pid: {existing_proc.pid})")
-        sys.exit(1)
-
-    # check for updates
-    if not skip_updates:
-        update_thread = threading.Thread(target=check_for_updates, args=(APP_REPO_NAME, APP_REPO_OWNER, APP_NAME,
-                                                                         APP_VERSION))
-        update_thread.start()
-
-    # main start
-    logger.info(f"Starting {APP_NAME} Render Server")
-    return_code = 0
-    try:
         # Load Config YAML
         Config.setup_config_dir()
-        Config.load_config(system_safe_path(os.path.join(Config.config_dir(), 'config.yaml')))
+        config_path = Path(Config.config_dir()) / "config.yaml"
+        Config.load_config(config_path)
 
         # configure default paths
-        EngineManager.engines_path = system_safe_path(
-            os.path.join(os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder),
-                                      'engines')))
+        EngineManager.engines_path = str(Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser()/ "engines")
         os.makedirs(EngineManager.engines_path, exist_ok=True)
-        PreviewManager.storage_path = system_safe_path(
-            os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder), 'previews'))
+        PreviewManager.storage_path = Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser() / "previews"
 
-        # Debug info
-        logger.debug(f"Upload directory: {os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder)}")
+        self.api_server = None
+        self.server_hostname: str = socket.gethostname()
+
+    def start_server(self):
+
+        def existing_process(process_name):
+            current_pid = os.getpid()
+            current_process = psutil.Process(current_pid)
+            for proc in psutil.process_iter(['pid', 'name', 'ppid']):
+                proc_name = proc.info['name'].lower().rstrip('.exe')
+                if proc_name == process_name.lower() and proc.info['pid'] != current_pid:
+                    if proc.info['pid'] == current_process.ppid():
+                        continue  # parent process
+                    elif proc.info['ppid'] == current_pid:
+                        continue  # child process
+                    else:
+                        return proc  # unrelated process
+            return None
+
+        # check for existing instance
+        existing_proc = existing_process(APP_NAME)
+        if existing_proc:
+            err_msg = f"Another instance of {APP_NAME} is already running (pid: {existing_proc.pid})"
+            logger.fatal(err_msg)
+            raise ProcessLookupError(err_msg)
+
+        # main start
+        logger.info(f"Starting {APP_NAME} Render Server ({APP_VERSION})")
+        logger.debug(f"Upload directory: {Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser()}")
         logger.debug(f"Thumbs directory: {PreviewManager.storage_path}")
         logger.debug(f"Engines directory: {EngineManager.engines_path}")
-
         # Set up the RenderQueue object
-        RenderQueue.load_state(database_directory=system_safe_path(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder)))
+        RenderQueue.load_state(database_directory=Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser())
         ServerProxyManager.subscribe_to_listener()
         DistributedJobManager.subscribe_to_listener()
 
-        # get hostname
-        local_hostname = socket.gethostname()
+        # update hostname
+        self.server_hostname = socket.gethostname()
 
         # configure and start API server
-        api_server = threading.Thread(target=start_api_server, args=(local_hostname,))
-        api_server.daemon = True
-        api_server.start()
+        self.api_server = threading.Thread(target=start_api_server, args=(self.server_hostname,))
+        self.api_server.daemon = True
+        self.api_server.start()
 
         # start zeroconf server
-        ZeroconfServer.configure(f"_{APP_NAME.lower()}._tcp.local.", local_hostname, Config.port_number)
+        ZeroconfServer.configure(f"_{APP_NAME.lower()}._tcp.local.", self.server_hostname, Config.port_number)
         ZeroconfServer.properties = {'system_cpu': current_system_cpu(),
                                      'system_cpu_brand': current_system_cpu_brand(),
                                      'system_cpu_cores': multiprocessing.cpu_count(),
@@ -112,30 +97,29 @@ def start_server(skip_updates=False) -> int:
                                      'gpu_info': get_gpu_info(),
                                      'api_version': API_VERSION}
         ZeroconfServer.start()
-        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server started - Hostname: {local_hostname}")
+        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server started - Hostname: {self.server_hostname}")
         RenderQueue.start()  # Start evaluating the render queue
 
-        # check for updates for render engines if configured or on first launch
-        # if Config.update_engines_on_launch or not EngineManager.get_engines():
-        #     EngineManager.update_all_engines()
+    def is_running(self):
+        return self.api_server and self.api_server.is_alive()
 
-        api_server.join()
-
-    except KeyboardInterrupt:
-        pass
-    except Exception as e:
-        logging.error(f"Unhandled exception: {e}")
-        return_code = 1
-    finally:
-        # shut down gracefully
-        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server is preparing to shut down")
+    def stop_server(self):
+        logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server is preparing to stop")
         try:
+            ZeroconfServer.stop()
             RenderQueue.prepare_for_shutdown()
         except Exception as e:
             logger.exception(f"Exception during prepare for shutdown: {e}")
-        ZeroconfServer.stop()
         logger.info(f"{APP_NAME} Render Server has shut down")
-        return sys.exit(return_code)
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    start_server()
+    server = ZordonServer()
+    try:
+        server.start_server()
+        server.api_server.join()
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        pass
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.fatal(f"Unhandled exception: {e}")
+    finally:
+        server.stop_server()

server.spec

@@ -1,90 +1,158 @@
 # -*- 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']
-tmp_ret = collect_all('zeroconf')
-datas += tmp_ret[0]; binaries += tmp_ret[1]; hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
+hiddenimports = ["zeroconf", "src.version"]
 
+tmp_ret = collect_all("zeroconf")
+datas += tmp_ret[0]
+binaries += tmp_ret[1]
+hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Analysis
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
 
 a = Analysis(
-    ['server.py'],
-    pathex=[],
-    binaries=binaries,
-    datas=datas,
-    hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
-    hookspath=[],
-    hooksconfig={},
-    runtime_hooks=[],
-    excludes=[],
-    noarchive=False,
-    optimize=1,  # fyi: optim level 2 breaks on windows
+	["server.py"],
+	pathex=[str(project_root)],
+	binaries=binaries,
+	datas=datas,
+	hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
+	hookspath=[],
+	hooksconfig={},
+	runtime_hooks=[],
+	excludes=[],
+	noarchive=False,
+	optimize=1,  # optimize=2 breaks Windows builds
 )
+
 pyz = PYZ(a.pure)
 
-if platform.system() == 'Windows':
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+# Platform targets
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    import pyinstaller_versionfile
-    import tempfile
+if platform.system() == "Darwin":  # macOS
 
-    version_file_path = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), 'versionfile.txt')
+	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,
+	)
 
-    pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
-        output_file=version_file_path,
-        version=APP_VERSION,
-        company_name=APP_AUTHOR,
-        file_description=APP_NAME,
-        internal_name=APP_NAME,
-        legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
-        original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
-        product_name=APP_NAME
-    )
+	app = BUNDLE(
+		exe,
+		a.binaries,
+		a.datas,
+		strip=True,
+		name=f"{APP_NAME}.app",
+		icon="resources/Server.png",
+		bundle_identifier=None,
+		version=APP_VERSION,
+	)
 
-    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
-    )
+elif platform.system() == "Windows":
 
-else:  # linux / macOS
-    exe = EXE(
-        pyz,
-        a.scripts,
-        a.binaries,
-        a.datas,
-        [],
-        name=APP_NAME,
-        debug=False,
-        bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
-        strip=True,
-        upx=True,
-        console=False,
-        disable_windowed_traceback=False,
-        argv_emulation=False,
-        target_arch=None,
-        codesign_identity=None,
-        entitlements_file=None
-    )
+	import pyinstaller_versionfile
+	import tempfile
+
+	version_file_path = os.path.join(
+		tempfile.gettempdir(), "versionfile.txt"
+	)
+
+	pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
+		output_file=version_file_path,
+		version=APP_VERSION,
+		company_name=APP_AUTHOR,
+		file_description=APP_NAME,
+		internal_name=APP_NAME,
+		legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
+		original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
+		product_name=APP_NAME,
+	)
+
+	exe = EXE(
+		pyz,
+		a.scripts,
+		a.binaries,
+		a.datas,
+		[],
+		name=APP_NAME,
+		debug=False,
+		bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
+		strip=True,
+		upx=True,
+		console=False,
+		disable_windowed_traceback=False,
+		argv_emulation=False,
+		target_arch=None,
+		codesign_identity=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/add_job_helpers.py

@@ -1,150 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python3
-import logging
-import os
-import shutil
-import tempfile
-import zipfile
-from datetime import datetime
-
-import requests
-from tqdm import tqdm
-from werkzeug.utils import secure_filename
-
-logger = logging.getLogger()
-
-
-def handle_uploaded_project_files(request, jobs_list, upload_directory):
-    """
-    Handles the uploaded project files.
-
-    This method takes a request with a file, a list of jobs, and an upload directory. It checks if the file was uploaded
-    directly, if it needs to be downloaded from a URL, or if it's already present on the local file system. It then
-    moves the file to the appropriate directory and returns the local path to the file and its name.
-
-    Args:
-        request (Request): The request object containing the file.
-        jobs_list (list): A list of jobs. The first job in the list is used to get the file's URL and local path.
-        upload_directory (str): The directory where the file should be uploaded.
-
-    Raises:
-        ValueError: If no valid project paths are found.
-
-    Returns:
-        tuple: A tuple containing the local path to the loaded project file and its name.
-    """
-    # Initialize default values
-    loaded_project_local_path = None
-
-    uploaded_project = request.files.get('file', None)
-    project_url = jobs_list[0].get('url', None)
-    local_path = jobs_list[0].get('local_path', None)
-    engine_name = jobs_list[0]['engine_name']
-    downloaded_file_url = None
-
-    if uploaded_project and uploaded_project.filename:
-        referred_name = os.path.basename(uploaded_project.filename)
-    elif project_url:
-        referred_name, downloaded_file_url = download_project_from_url(project_url)
-        if not referred_name:
-            raise ValueError(f"Error downloading file from URL: {project_url}")
-    elif local_path and os.path.exists(local_path):
-        referred_name = os.path.basename(local_path)
-    else:
-        raise ValueError("Cannot find any valid project paths")
-
-    # Prepare the local filepath
-    cleaned_path_name = jobs_list[0].get('name', os.path.splitext(referred_name)[0]).replace(' ', '-')
-    job_dir = os.path.join(upload_directory, '-'.join(
-        [datetime.now().strftime("%Y.%m.%d_%H.%M.%S"), engine_name, cleaned_path_name]))
-    os.makedirs(job_dir, exist_ok=True)
-    project_source_dir = os.path.join(job_dir, 'source')
-    os.makedirs(project_source_dir, exist_ok=True)
-
-    # Move projects to their work directories
-    if uploaded_project and uploaded_project.filename:
-        loaded_project_local_path = os.path.join(project_source_dir, secure_filename(uploaded_project.filename))
-        uploaded_project.save(loaded_project_local_path)
-        logger.info(f"Transfer complete for {loaded_project_local_path.split(upload_directory)[-1]}")
-    elif project_url:
-        loaded_project_local_path = os.path.join(project_source_dir, referred_name)
-        shutil.move(downloaded_file_url, loaded_project_local_path)
-        logger.info(f"Download complete for {loaded_project_local_path.split(upload_directory)[-1]}")
-    elif local_path:
-        loaded_project_local_path = os.path.join(project_source_dir, referred_name)
-        shutil.copy(local_path, loaded_project_local_path)
-        logger.info(f"Import complete for {loaded_project_local_path.split(upload_directory)[-1]}")
-
-    return loaded_project_local_path, referred_name
-
-
-def download_project_from_url(project_url):
-    # This nested function is to handle downloading from a URL
-    logger.info(f"Downloading project from url: {project_url}")
-    referred_name = os.path.basename(project_url)
-
-    try:
-        response = requests.get(project_url, stream=True)
-        if response.status_code == 200:
-            # Get the total file size from the "Content-Length" header
-            file_size = int(response.headers.get("Content-Length", 0))
-            # Create a progress bar using tqdm
-            progress_bar = tqdm(total=file_size, unit="B", unit_scale=True)
-            # Open a file for writing in binary mode
-            downloaded_file_url = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), referred_name)
-            with open(downloaded_file_url, "wb") as file:
-                for chunk in response.iter_content(chunk_size=1024):
-                    if chunk:
-                        # Write the chunk to the file
-                        file.write(chunk)
-                        # Update the progress bar
-                        progress_bar.update(len(chunk))
-            # Close the progress bar
-            progress_bar.close()
-            return referred_name, downloaded_file_url
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.error(f"Error downloading file: {e}")
-    return None, None
-
-
-def process_zipped_project(zip_path):
-    """
-    Processes a zipped project.
-
-    This method takes a path to a zip file, extracts its contents, and returns the path to the extracted project file.
-    If the zip file contains more than one project file or none, an error is raised.
-
-    Args:
-        zip_path (str): The path to the zip file.
-
-    Raises:
-        ValueError: If there's more than 1 project file or none in the zip file.
-
-    Returns:
-        str: The path to the main project file.
-    """
-    work_path = os.path.dirname(zip_path)
-
-    try:
-        with zipfile.ZipFile(zip_path, 'r') as myzip:
-            myzip.extractall(work_path)
-
-        project_files = [x for x in os.listdir(work_path) if os.path.isfile(os.path.join(work_path, x))]
-        project_files = [x for x in project_files if '.zip' not in x]
-
-        logger.debug(f"Zip files: {project_files}")
-
-        # supported_exts = RenderWorkerFactory.class_for_name(engine).engine.supported_extensions
-        # if supported_exts:
-        #     project_files = [file for file in project_files if any(file.endswith(ext) for ext in supported_exts)]
-
-        # If there's more than 1 project file or none, raise an error
-        if len(project_files) != 1:
-            raise ValueError(f'Cannot find a valid project file in {os.path.basename(zip_path)}')
-
-        extracted_project_path = os.path.join(work_path, project_files[0])
-        logger.info(f"Extracted zip file to {extracted_project_path}")
-
-    except (zipfile.BadZipFile, zipfile.LargeZipFile) as e:
-        logger.error(f"Error processing zip file: {e}")
-        raise ValueError(f"Error processing zip file: {e}")
-    return extracted_project_path

src/api/api_server.py

@@ -2,14 +2,15 @@
 import concurrent.futures
 import json
 import logging
-import os
-import pathlib
 import shutil
 import socket
 import ssl
 import tempfile
 import time
+import traceback
 from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Dict, Any, Optional
 
 import cpuinfo
 import psutil
@@ -17,13 +18,13 @@ import yaml
 from flask import Flask, request, send_file, after_this_request, Response, redirect, url_for
 from sqlalchemy.orm.exc import DetachedInstanceError
 
-from src.api.add_job_helpers import handle_uploaded_project_files, process_zipped_project
+from src.api.job_import_handler import JobImportHandler
 from src.api.preview_manager import PreviewManager
 from src.distributed_job_manager import DistributedJobManager
 from src.engines.engine_manager import EngineManager
 from src.render_queue import RenderQueue, JobNotFoundError
 from src.utilities.config import Config
-from src.utilities.misc_helper import system_safe_path, current_system_os, current_system_cpu, \
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import current_system_os, current_system_cpu, \
     current_system_os_version, num_to_alphanumeric, get_gpu_info
 from src.utilities.status_utils import string_to_status
 from src.version import APP_VERSION
@@ -32,9 +33,9 @@ logger = logging.getLogger()
 server = Flask(__name__)
 ssl._create_default_https_context = ssl._create_unverified_context  # disable SSL for downloads
 
-API_VERSION = "1"
+API_VERSION = "0.1"
 
-def start_api_server(hostname=None):
+def start_api_server(hostname: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
 
     # get hostname
     if not hostname:
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ def start_api_server(hostname=None):
     # load flask settings
     server.config['HOSTNAME'] = hostname
     server.config['PORT'] = int(Config.port_number)
-    server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'] = system_safe_path(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder))
+    server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'] = str(Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser())
     server.config['MAX_CONTENT_PATH'] = Config.max_content_path
     server.config['enable_split_jobs'] = Config.enable_split_jobs
 
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ def start_api_server(hostname=None):
 # --------------------------------------------
 
 @server.get('/api/jobs')
-def jobs_json():
+def jobs_json() -> Dict[str, Any]:
     """Retrieves all jobs from the render queue in JSON format.
 
     This endpoint fetches all jobs currently in the render queue, converts them to JSON format,
@@ -134,9 +135,9 @@ def get_job_logs(job_id):
         Response: The log file's content as plain text, or an empty response if the log file is not found.
     """
     found_job = RenderQueue.job_with_id(job_id)
-    log_path = system_safe_path(found_job.log_path())
+    log_path = Path(found_job.log_path())
     log_data = None
-    if log_path and os.path.exists(log_path):
+    if log_path and log_path.exists():
         with open(log_path) as file:
             log_data = file.read()
     return Response(log_data, mimetype='text/plain')
@@ -144,20 +145,21 @@ def get_job_logs(job_id):
 
 @server.get('/api/job/<job_id>/file_list')
 def get_file_list(job_id):
-    return [os.path.basename(x) for x in RenderQueue.job_with_id(job_id).file_list()]
+	return [Path(p).name for p in RenderQueue.job_with_id(job_id).file_list()]
 
 
 @server.route('/api/job/<job_id>/download')
 def download_requested_file(job_id):
-
-    requested_filename = request.args.get('filename')
+    requested_filename = request.args.get("filename")
     if not requested_filename:
-        return 'Filename required', 400
+        return "Filename required", 400
 
     found_job = RenderQueue.job_with_id(job_id)
-    for job_filename in found_job.file_list():
-        if os.path.basename(job_filename).lower() == requested_filename.lower():
-            return send_file(job_filename, as_attachment=True, )
+
+    for job_file in found_job.file_list():
+        p = Path(job_file)
+        if p.name.lower() == requested_filename.lower():
+            return send_file(str(p), as_attachment=True)
 
     return f"File '{requested_filename}' not found", 404
 
@@ -168,26 +170,27 @@ def download_all_files(job_id):
 
     @after_this_request
     def clear_zip(response):
-        if zip_filename and os.path.exists(zip_filename):
+        if zip_filename and zip_filename.exists():
             try:
-                os.remove(zip_filename)
+                zip_filename.unlink()
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.warning(f"Error removing zip file '{zip_filename}': {e}")
         return response
 
     found_job = RenderQueue.job_with_id(job_id)
-    output_dir = os.path.dirname(found_job.output_path)
-    if os.path.exists(output_dir):
-        from zipfile import ZipFile
-        zip_filename = system_safe_path(os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(),
-                                                     pathlib.Path(found_job.input_path).stem + '.zip'))
-        with ZipFile(zip_filename, 'w') as zipObj:
-            for f in os.listdir(output_dir):
-                zipObj.write(filename=system_safe_path(os.path.join(output_dir, f)),
-                             arcname=os.path.basename(f))
-        return send_file(zip_filename, mimetype="zip", as_attachment=True, )
-    else:
-        return f'Cannot find project files for job {job_id}', 500
+
+    output_dir = Path(found_job.output_path).parent
+    if not output_dir.exists():
+        return f"Cannot find project files for job {job_id}", 500
+
+    zip_filename = Path(tempfile.gettempdir()) / f"{Path(found_job.input_path).stem}.zip"
+    from zipfile import ZipFile
+    with ZipFile(zip_filename, "w") as zipObj:
+        for f in output_dir.iterdir():
+            if f.is_file():
+                zipObj.write(f, arcname=f.name)
+
+    return send_file(str(zip_filename), mimetype="zip", as_attachment=True)
 
 
 # --------------------------------------------
@@ -195,8 +198,8 @@ def download_all_files(job_id):
 # --------------------------------------------
 
 @server.get('/api/presets')
-def presets():
-    presets_path = system_safe_path('config/presets.yaml')
+def presets() -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    presets_path = Path('config/presets.yaml')
     with open(presets_path) as f:
         loaded_presets = yaml.load(f, Loader=yaml.FullLoader)
     return loaded_presets
@@ -252,32 +255,54 @@ def status():
 
 @server.post('/api/add_job')
 def add_job_handler():
-    # Process request data
+    """
+    POST /api/add_job
+    Add a render job to the queue.
+
+    **Request Formats**
+    - JSON body:
+      {
+        "name": "example.blend",
+        "engine": "blender",
+        "frame_start": 1,
+        "frame_end": 100,
+        "render_settings": {...}
+        "child_jobs"; [...]
+      }
+
+    **Responses**
+    200 Success
+    400 Invalid or missing input
+    500 Internal server error while parsing or creating jobs
+    """
     try:
         if request.is_json:
-            jobs_list = [request.json] if not isinstance(request.json, list) else request.json
+            new_job_data = request.get_json()
         elif request.form.get('json', None):
-            jobs_list = json.loads(request.form['json'])
+            new_job_data = json.loads(request.form['json'])
         else:
-            return "Invalid data", 400
+            return "Cannot find valid job data", 400
     except Exception as e:
         err_msg = f"Error processing job data: {e}"
         logger.error(err_msg)
         return err_msg, 500
 
+    # Validate Job Data - check for required values and download or unzip project files
     try:
-        loaded_project_local_path, referred_name = handle_uploaded_project_files(request, jobs_list,
-                                                                                 server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'])
-        if loaded_project_local_path.lower().endswith('.zip'):
-            loaded_project_local_path = process_zipped_project(loaded_project_local_path)
-
-        results = []
-        for new_job_data in jobs_list:
-            new_job = DistributedJobManager.create_render_job(new_job_data, loaded_project_local_path)
-            results.append(new_job.json())
-        return results, 200
+        processed_job_data = JobImportHandler.validate_job_data(new_job_data, server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'],
+                                                                uploaded_file=request.files.get('file'))
+    except (KeyError, FileNotFoundError) as e:
+        err_msg = f"Error processing job data: {e}"
+        return err_msg, 400
     except Exception as e:
-        logger.exception(f"Error adding job: {e}")
+        traceback.print_exception(e)
+        err_msg = f"Unknown error processing data: {e}"
+        return err_msg, 500
+
+    try:
+        return JobImportHandler.create_jobs_from_processed_data(processed_job_data)
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.exception(f"Error creating render job: {e}")
     return 'unknown error', 500
 
 
@@ -298,13 +323,18 @@ def cancel_job(job_id):
 @server.route('/api/job/<job_id>/delete', methods=['POST', 'GET'])
 def delete_job(job_id):
     try:
-        if not request.args.get('confirm', False):
-            return 'Confirmation required to delete job', 400
+        if not request.args.get("confirm", False):
+            return "Confirmation required to delete job", 400
 
-        # Check if we can remove the 'output' directory
         found_job = RenderQueue.job_with_id(job_id)
-        project_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(found_job.input_path))
-        output_dir = os.path.dirname(found_job.output_path)
+
+        input_path = Path(found_job.input_path)
+        output_path = Path(found_job.output_path)
+        upload_root = Path(server.config["UPLOAD_FOLDER"])
+
+        project_dir = input_path.parent.parent
+        output_dir = output_path.parent
+
         found_job.stop()
 
         try:
@@ -312,25 +342,24 @@ def delete_job(job_id):
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Error deleting previews for {found_job}: {e}")
 
-        # finally delete the job
         RenderQueue.delete_job(found_job)
 
-        # delete the output_dir
-        if server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'] in output_dir and os.path.exists(output_dir):
+        # Delete output directory if we own it
+        if output_dir.exists() and output_dir.is_relative_to(upload_root):
             shutil.rmtree(output_dir)
 
-        # See if we own the project_dir (i.e. was it uploaded) - if so delete the directory
+        # Delete project directory if we own it and it's unused
         try:
-            if server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'] in project_dir and os.path.exists(project_dir):
-                # check to see if any other projects are sharing the same project file
-                project_dir_files = [f for f in os.listdir(project_dir) if not f.startswith('.')]
-                if len(project_dir_files) == 0 or (len(project_dir_files) == 1 and 'source' in project_dir_files[0]):
+            if project_dir.exists() and project_dir.is_relative_to(upload_root):
+                project_dir_files = [p for p in project_dir.iterdir() if not p.name.startswith(".")]
+                if not project_dir_files or (len(project_dir_files) == 1 and "source" in project_dir_files[0].name):
                     logger.info(f"Removing project directory: {project_dir}")
                     shutil.rmtree(project_dir)
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Error removing project files: {e}")
 
         return "Job deleted", 200
+
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error(f"Error deleting job: {e}")
         return f"Error deleting job: {e}", 500
@@ -340,6 +369,26 @@ 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')
@@ -349,7 +398,7 @@ 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
 
@@ -379,8 +428,9 @@ def engine_info():
             return result
 
         except Exception as e:
+            traceback.print_exc(e)
             logger.error(f"Error fetching details for engine '{engine.name()}': {e}")
-            raise e
+            return {}
 
     engine_data = {}
     with concurrent.futures.ThreadPoolExecutor() as executor:
@@ -394,14 +444,69 @@ 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'),
@@ -442,24 +547,6 @@ 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:
 # --------------------------------------------
@@ -534,8 +621,18 @@ 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):
+    traceback.print_exception(type(general_error), general_error, general_error.__traceback__)
     err_msg = f"Server error: {general_error}"
     logger.error(err_msg)
     return err_msg, 500

src/api/job_import_handler.py

@@ -0,0 +1,221 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import logging
+import os
+import shutil
+import tempfile
+import zipfile
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import requests
+from tqdm import tqdm
+from werkzeug.utils import secure_filename
+
+from distributed_job_manager import DistributedJobManager
+
+logger = logging.getLogger()
+
+
+class JobImportHandler:
+    """Handles job import operations for rendering projects.
+
+    This class provides functionality to validate, download, and process
+    job data and project files for the rendering queue system.
+    """
+
+    @classmethod
+    def create_jobs_from_processed_data(cls, processed_job_data: dict) -> list[dict]:
+        """ Takes processed job data and creates new jobs
+
+        Args: processed_job_data: Dictionary containing job information"""
+        loaded_project_local_path = processed_job_data['__loaded_project_local_path']
+
+        # prepare child job data
+        job_data_to_create = []
+        if processed_job_data.get("child_jobs"):
+            for child_job_diffs in processed_job_data["child_jobs"]:
+                processed_child_job_data = processed_job_data.copy()
+                processed_child_job_data.pop("child_jobs")
+                processed_child_job_data.update(child_job_diffs)
+                job_data_to_create.append(processed_child_job_data)
+        else:
+            job_data_to_create.append(processed_job_data)
+
+        # create the jobs
+        created_jobs = []
+        for job_data in job_data_to_create:
+            new_job = DistributedJobManager.create_render_job(job_data, loaded_project_local_path)
+            created_jobs.append(new_job)
+
+        # Save notes to .txt
+        if processed_job_data.get("notes"):
+            parent_dir = Path(loaded_project_local_path).parent.parent
+            notes_name = processed_job_data['name'] + "-notes.txt"
+            with (Path(parent_dir) / notes_name).open("w") as f:
+                f.write(processed_job_data["notes"])
+        return [x.json() for x in created_jobs]
+
+    @classmethod
+    def validate_job_data(cls, new_job_data: dict, upload_directory: Path, uploaded_file=None) -> dict:
+        """Validates and prepares job data for import.
+
+        This method validates the job data dictionary, handles project file
+        acquisition (upload, download, or local copy), and prepares the job
+        directory structure.
+
+        Args:
+            new_job_data: Dictionary containing job information including
+                'name', 'engine_name', and optionally 'url' or 'local_path'.
+            upload_directory: Base directory for storing uploaded jobs.
+            uploaded_file: Optional uploaded file object from the request.
+
+        Returns:
+            The validated job data dictionary with additional metadata.
+
+        Raises:
+            KeyError: If required fields 'name' or 'engine_name' are missing.
+            FileNotFoundError: If no valid project file can be found.
+        """
+        loaded_project_local_path = None
+
+        # check for required keys
+        job_name = new_job_data.get('name')
+        engine_name = new_job_data.get('engine_name')
+        if not job_name:
+            raise KeyError("Missing job name")
+        if not engine_name:
+            raise KeyError("Missing engine name")
+
+        project_url = new_job_data.get('url', None)
+        local_path = new_job_data.get('local_path', None)
+        downloaded_file_url = None
+
+        if uploaded_file and uploaded_file.filename:
+            referred_name = os.path.basename(uploaded_file.filename)
+        elif project_url:
+            referred_name, downloaded_file_url = cls.download_project_from_url(project_url)
+            if not referred_name:
+                raise FileNotFoundError(f"Error downloading file from URL: {project_url}")
+        elif local_path and os.path.exists(local_path):
+            referred_name = os.path.basename(local_path)
+        else:
+            raise FileNotFoundError("Cannot find any valid project paths")
+
+        # Prepare the local filepath
+        cleaned_path_name = job_name.replace(' ', '-')
+        folder_name = f"{cleaned_path_name}-{engine_name}-{datetime.now().strftime('%Y.%m.%d_%H.%M.%S')}"
+        job_dir = Path(upload_directory) / folder_name
+        os.makedirs(job_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        project_source_dir = Path(job_dir) / 'source'
+        os.makedirs(project_source_dir, exist_ok=True)
+
+        # Move projects to their work directories
+        if uploaded_file and uploaded_file.filename:
+            # Handle file uploading
+            filename = secure_filename(uploaded_file.filename)
+            loaded_project_local_path = Path(project_source_dir) / filename
+            uploaded_file.save(str(loaded_project_local_path))
+            logger.info(f"Transfer complete for {loaded_project_local_path.relative_to(upload_directory)}")
+
+        elif project_url:
+            # Handle downloading project from a URL
+            loaded_project_local_path = Path(project_source_dir) / referred_name
+            shutil.move(str(downloaded_file_url), str(loaded_project_local_path))
+            logger.info(f"Download complete for {loaded_project_local_path.relative_to(upload_directory)}")
+
+        elif local_path:
+            # Handle local files
+            loaded_project_local_path = Path(project_source_dir) / referred_name
+            shutil.copy(str(local_path), str(loaded_project_local_path))
+            logger.info(f"Import complete for {loaded_project_local_path.relative_to(upload_directory)}")
+
+        if loaded_project_local_path.suffix == ".zip":
+            loaded_project_local_path = cls.process_zipped_project(loaded_project_local_path)
+
+        new_job_data["__loaded_project_local_path"] = loaded_project_local_path
+
+        return new_job_data
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def download_project_from_url(project_url: str):
+        """Downloads a project file from the given URL.
+
+        Downloads the file from the specified URL to a temporary directory
+        with progress tracking. Returns the filename and temporary path.
+
+        Args:
+            project_url: The URL to download the project file from.
+
+        Returns:
+            A tuple of (filename, temp_file_path) if successful,
+            (None, None) if download fails.
+        """
+        # This nested function is to handle downloading from a URL
+        logger.info(f"Downloading project from url: {project_url}")
+        referred_name = os.path.basename(project_url)
+
+        try:
+            response = requests.get(project_url, stream=True, timeout=300)
+            if response.status_code == 200:
+                # Get the total file size from the "Content-Length" header
+                file_size = int(response.headers.get("Content-Length", 0))
+                # Create a progress bar using tqdm
+                progress_bar = tqdm(total=file_size, unit="B", unit_scale=True)
+                # Open a file for writing in binary mode
+                downloaded_file_url = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), referred_name)
+                with open(downloaded_file_url, "wb") as file:
+                    for chunk in response.iter_content(chunk_size=1024):
+                        if chunk:
+                            # Write the chunk to the file
+                            file.write(chunk)
+                            # Update the progress bar
+                            progress_bar.update(len(chunk))
+                # Close the progress bar
+                progress_bar.close()
+                return referred_name, downloaded_file_url
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error downloading file: {e}")
+        return None, None
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def process_zipped_project(zip_path: Path) -> Path:
+        """
+        Processes a zipped project.
+
+        This method takes a path to a zip file, extracts its contents, and returns the path to the extracted project
+        file. If the zip file contains more than one project file or none, an error is raised.
+
+        Args:
+            zip_path (Path): The path to the zip file.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If there's more than 1 project file or none in the zip file.
+
+        Returns:
+            Path: The path to the main project file.
+        """
+        work_path = zip_path.parent
+
+        try:
+            with zipfile.ZipFile(zip_path, 'r') as myzip:
+                myzip.extractall(str(work_path))
+
+            project_files = [p for p in work_path.iterdir() if p.is_file() and p.suffix.lower() != ".zip"]
+
+            logger.debug(f"Zip files: {project_files}")
+
+            # supported_exts = RenderWorkerFactory.class_for_name(engine).engine.supported_extensions
+            # if supported_exts:
+            #     project_files = [file for file in project_files if any(file.endswith(ext) for ext in supported_exts)]
+
+            # If there's more than 1 project file or none, raise an error
+            if len(project_files) != 1:
+                raise ValueError(f'Cannot find a valid project file in {zip_path.name}')
+
+            extracted_project_path = work_path / project_files[0]
+            logger.info(f"Extracted zip file to {extracted_project_path}")
+
+        except (zipfile.BadZipFile, zipfile.LargeZipFile) as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error processing zip file: {e}")
+            raise ValueError(f'Error processing zip file: {e}') from e
+        return extracted_project_path

src/api/preview_manager.py

@@ -12,12 +12,20 @@ supported_image_formats = ['.jpg', '.png', '.exr', '.tif', '.tga', '.bmp', '.web
 
 
 class PreviewManager:
+    """Manages generation, storage, and retrieval of preview images and videos for rendering jobs."""
 
     storage_path = None
     _running_jobs = {}
 
     @classmethod
     def __generate_job_preview_worker(cls, job, replace_existing=False, max_width=480):
+        """Generates image and video previews for a given job.
+
+        Args:
+            job: The job object containing file information.
+            replace_existing (bool): Whether to replace existing previews. Defaults to False.
+            max_width (int): Maximum width for the preview images/videos. Defaults to 480.
+        """
 
         # Determine best source file to use for thumbs
         job_file_list = job.file_list()
@@ -67,20 +75,36 @@ class PreviewManager:
 
     @classmethod
     def update_previews_for_job(cls, job, replace_existing=False, wait_until_completion=False, timeout=None):
+        """Updates previews for a given job by starting a background thread.
+
+        Args:
+            job: The job object.
+            replace_existing (bool): Whether to replace existing previews. Defaults to False.
+            wait_until_completion (bool): Whether to wait for the thread to complete. Defaults to False.
+            timeout (float): Timeout for waiting, if applicable.
+        """
         job_thread = cls._running_jobs.get(job.id)
         if job_thread and job_thread.is_alive():
             logger.debug(f'Preview generation job already running for {job}')
-        else:
-            job_thread = threading.Thread(target=cls.__generate_job_preview_worker, args=(job, replace_existing,))
-            job_thread.start()
-            cls._running_jobs[job.id] = job_thread
+            return
+
+        job_thread = threading.Thread(target=cls.__generate_job_preview_worker, args=(job, replace_existing,))
+        job_thread.start()
+        cls._running_jobs[job.id] = job_thread
 
         if wait_until_completion:
             job_thread.join(timeout=timeout)
 
     @classmethod
     def get_previews_for_job(cls, job):
+        """Retrieves previews for a given job.
 
+        Args:
+            job: The job object.
+
+        Returns:
+            dict: A dictionary containing preview information.
+        """
         results = {}
         try:
             directory_path = Path(cls.storage_path)
@@ -103,6 +127,11 @@ class PreviewManager:
 
     @classmethod
     def delete_previews_for_job(cls, job):
+        """Deletes all previews associated with a given job.
+
+        Args:
+            job: The job object.
+        """
         all_previews = cls.get_previews_for_job(job)
         flattened_list = [item for sublist in all_previews.values() for item in sublist]
         for preview in flattened_list:

src/api/server_proxy.py

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import logging
 import os
 import threading
 import time
+from pathlib import Path
 
 import requests
 from requests_toolbelt.multipart import MultipartEncoder, MultipartEncoderMonitor
@@ -184,51 +185,44 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
     # Job Lifecycle:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
-    def post_job_to_server(self, file_path, job_list, callback=None):
+    def post_job_to_server(self, file_path: Path, job_data, callback=None):
         """
         Posts a job to the server.
 
         Args:
-            file_path (str): The path to the file to upload.
-            job_list (list): A list of jobs to post.
+            file_path (Path): The path to the file to upload.
+            job_data (dict): A dict of jobs data.
             callback (function, optional): A callback function to call during the upload. Defaults to None.
 
         Returns:
             Response: The response from the server.
         """
-        try:
-            # Check if file exists
-            if not os.path.exists(file_path):
-                raise FileNotFoundError(f"File not found: {file_path}")
+        # Check if file exists
+        if not file_path.exists():
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"File not found: {file_path}")
 
-            # Bypass uploading file if posting to localhost
-            if self.is_localhost:
-                jobs_with_path = [{'local_path': file_path, **item} for item in job_list]
-                job_data = json.dumps(jobs_with_path)
-                url = urljoin(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}', '/api/add_job')
-                headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/json'}
-                return requests.post(url, data=job_data, headers=headers)
+        # Bypass uploading file if posting to localhost
+        if self.is_localhost:
+            job_data['local_path'] = str(file_path)
+            url = urljoin(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}', '/api/add_job')
+            headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/json'}
+            return requests.post(url, data=json.dumps(job_data), headers=headers)
 
-            # Prepare the form data for remote host
-            with open(file_path, 'rb') as file:
-                encoder = MultipartEncoder({
-                    'file': (os.path.basename(file_path), file, 'application/octet-stream'),
-                    'json': (None, json.dumps(job_list), 'application/json'),
-                })
+        # Prepare the form data for remote host
+        with open(file_path, 'rb') as file:
+            encoder = MultipartEncoder({
+                'file': (file_path.name, file, 'application/octet-stream'),
+                'json': (None, json.dumps(job_data), 'application/json'),
+            })
 
-                # Create a monitor that will track the upload progress
-                monitor = MultipartEncoderMonitor(encoder, callback) if callback else MultipartEncoderMonitor(encoder)
-                headers = {'Content-Type': monitor.content_type}
-                url = urljoin(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}', '/api/add_job')
+            # Create a monitor that will track the upload progress
+            monitor = MultipartEncoderMonitor(encoder, callback) if callback else MultipartEncoderMonitor(encoder)
+            headers = {'Content-Type': monitor.content_type}
+            url = urljoin(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}', '/api/add_job')
 
-                # Send the request with proper resource management
-                with requests.post(url, data=monitor, headers=headers) as response:
-                    return response
-
-        except requests.ConnectionError as e:
-            logger.error(f"Connection error: {e}")
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"An error occurred: {e}")
+            # Send the request with proper resource management
+            with requests.post(url, data=monitor, headers=headers) as response:
+                return response
 
     def cancel_job(self, job_id, confirm=False):
         return self.request_data(f'job/{job_id}/cancel?confirm={confirm}')
@@ -254,16 +248,19 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
     # Engines:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
-    def is_engine_available(self, engine_name):
-        return self.request_data(f'{engine_name}/is_available')
+    def get_engine_for_filename(self, filename:str, timeout=5):
+        response = self.request(f'engine_for_filename?filename={os.path.basename(filename)}', timeout)
+        return response.text
 
-    def get_all_engines(self):
-        # todo: this doesnt work
-        return self.request_data('all_engines')
+    def get_installed_engines(self, timeout=5):
+        return self.request_data(f'installed_engines', timeout)
 
-    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
@@ -275,19 +272,33 @@ 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/distributed_job_manager.py

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import socket
 import threading
 import time
 
+from click import Path
 from plyer import notification
 from pubsub import pub
 
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
                 logger.error(f"Error notifying parent {parent_hostname} about update in subjob {render_job.id}: {e}")
 
     @classmethod
-    def __local_job_status_changed(cls, job_id, old_status, new_status):
+    def __local_job_status_changed(cls, job_id: str, old_status: str, new_status: str):
         """
         Responds to the 'status_change' pubsub message for local jobs.
         If it's a child job, it notifies the parent job about the status change.
@@ -129,13 +130,13 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
     @classmethod
-    def create_render_job(cls, new_job_attributes, loaded_project_local_path):
+    def create_render_job(cls, new_job_attributes: dict, loaded_project_local_path: Path):
         """Creates render jobs. Pass in dict of job_data and the local path to the project. It creates and returns a new
         render job.
 
         Args:
             new_job_attributes (dict): Dict of desired attributes for new job (frame count, renderer, output path, etc)
-            loaded_project_local_path (str): The local path to the loaded project.
+            loaded_project_local_path (Path): The local path to the loaded project.
 
         Returns:
             worker: Created job worker
@@ -143,20 +144,16 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
 
         # get new output path in output_dir
         output_path = new_job_attributes.get('output_path')
-        if not output_path:
-            loaded_project_filename = os.path.basename(loaded_project_local_path)
-            output_filename = os.path.splitext(loaded_project_filename)[0]
-        else:
-            output_filename = os.path.basename(output_path)
+        output_filename = loaded_project_local_path.name if output_path else loaded_project_local_path.stem
 
         # Prepare output path
-        output_dir = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(loaded_project_local_path)), 'output')
-        output_path = os.path.join(output_dir, output_filename)
+        output_dir = loaded_project_local_path.parent.parent / "output"
+        output_path = output_dir / output_filename
         os.makedirs(output_dir, exist_ok=True)
         logger.debug(f"New job output path: {output_path}")
 
         # create & configure jobs
-        worker = EngineManager.create_worker(engine_name=new_job_attributes['engine'],
+        worker = EngineManager.create_worker(engine_name=new_job_attributes['engine_name'],
                                              input_path=loaded_project_local_path,
                                              output_path=output_path,
                                              engine_version=new_job_attributes.get('engine_version'),
@@ -186,7 +183,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
     @classmethod
-    def handle_subjob_update_notification(cls, local_job, subjob_data):
+    def handle_subjob_update_notification(cls, local_job, subjob_data: dict):
         """Responds to a notification from a remote subjob and the host requests any subsequent updates from the subjob.
 
         Args:
@@ -347,7 +344,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
             RenderServerProxy(parent_worker.hostname).cancel_job(parent_worker.id, confirm=True)
 
     @staticmethod
-    def __create_subjob(new_job_attributes, project_path, server_data, server_hostname, parent_worker):
+    def __create_subjob(new_job_attributes: dict, project_path, server_data, server_hostname: str, parent_worker):
         """Convenience method to create subjobs for a parent worker"""
         subjob = new_job_attributes.copy()
         subjob['name'] = f"{parent_worker.name}[{server_data['frame_range'][0]}-{server_data['frame_range'][-1]}]"
@@ -358,7 +355,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
         logger.debug(f"Posting subjob with frames {subjob['start_frame']}-"
                      f"{subjob['end_frame']} to {server_hostname}")
         post_results = RenderServerProxy(server_hostname).post_job_to_server(
-            file_path=project_path, job_list=[subjob])
+            file_path=project_path, job_data=subjob)
         return post_results
 
     # --------------------------------------------
@@ -366,7 +363,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
     @staticmethod
-    def find_available_servers(engine_name, system_os=None):
+    def find_available_servers(engine_name: str, system_os=None):
         """
         Scan the Zeroconf network for currently available render servers supporting a specific engine.
 
@@ -375,16 +372,16 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
         :return: A list of dictionaries with each dict containing hostname and cpu_count of available servers
         """
         from api.api_server import API_VERSION
-        available_servers = []
+        found_available_servers = []
         for hostname in ZeroconfServer.found_hostnames():
             host_properties = ZeroconfServer.get_hostname_properties(hostname)
             if host_properties.get('api_version') == API_VERSION:
                 if not system_os or (system_os and system_os == host_properties.get('system_os')):
                     response = RenderServerProxy(hostname).is_engine_available(engine_name)
                     if response and response.get('available', False):
-                        available_servers.append(response)
+                        found_available_servers.append(response)
 
-        return available_servers
+        return found_available_servers
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':

src/engines/blender/blender_engine.py

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 import json
 import re
+from pathlib import Path
 
 from src.engines.core.base_engine import *
-from src.utilities.misc_helper import system_safe_path
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 
@@ -24,10 +24,12 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
         from src.engines.blender.blender_worker import BlenderRenderWorker
         return BlenderRenderWorker
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def ui_options(system_info):
-        from src.engines.blender.blender_ui import BlenderUI
-        return BlenderUI.get_options(system_info)
+    def ui_options(self):
+        options = [
+            {'name': 'engine', 'options': self.supported_render_engines()},
+            {'name': 'render_device', 'options': ['Any', 'GPU', 'CPU']},
+        ]
+        return options
 
     def supported_extensions(self):
         return ['blend']
@@ -87,7 +89,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
         scene_info = {}
         try:
             script_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)), 'scripts', 'get_file_info.py')
-            results = self.run_python_script(project_path=project_path, script_path=system_safe_path(script_path),
+            results = self.run_python_script(project_path=project_path, script_path=Path(script_path),
                                              timeout=timeout)
             result_text = results.stdout.decode()
             for line in result_text.splitlines():
@@ -108,7 +110,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
         try:
             logger.info(f"Starting to pack Blender file: {project_path}")
             script_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)), 'scripts', 'pack_project.py')
-            results = self.run_python_script(project_path=project_path, script_path=system_safe_path(script_path),
+            results = self.run_python_script(project_path=project_path, script_path=Path(script_path),
                                              timeout=timeout)
 
             result_text = results.stdout.decode()
@@ -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.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.scene_info = {}
         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)
-        if found:
-            stats = found.groupdict()
+        cycles_match = cycles_pattern.search(line)
+        eevee_pattern = re.compile(
+            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

@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@ import logging
 import os
 import platform
 import subprocess
+from typing import Optional, List, Dict, Any, Type
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
-SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT = 5
+SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT = 10
 
 
 class BaseRenderEngine(object):
@@ -17,14 +18,23 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
         executable on different operating systems or environments.
     """
 
-    install_paths = []
+    install_paths: List[str] = []
+    binary_names: Dict[str, str] = {}
 
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Required Overrides for Subclasses:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
-    def __init__(self, custom_path=None):
-        self.custom_engine_path = custom_path
+    def __init__(self, custom_path: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
+        """Initialize the render engine.
+
+        Args:
+            custom_path: Optional custom path to the engine executable.
+            
+        Raises:
+            FileNotFoundError: If the engine executable cannot be found.
+        """
+        self.custom_engine_path: Optional[str] = custom_path
         if not self.engine_path() or not os.path.exists(self.engine_path()):
             raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot find path to engine for {self.name()} instance: {self.engine_path()}")
 
@@ -32,7 +42,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
             logger.warning(f"Path is not executable. Setting permissions to 755 for {self.engine_path()}")
             os.chmod(self.engine_path(), 0o755)
 
-    def version(self):
+    def version(self) -> str:
         """Return the version number as a string.
 
         Returns:
@@ -43,7 +53,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
         """
         raise NotImplementedError(f"version not implemented for {self.__class__.__name__}")
 
-    def get_project_info(self, project_path, timeout=10):
+    def get_project_info(self, project_path: str, timeout: int = 10) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """Extracts detailed project information from the given project path.
 
         Args:
@@ -59,7 +69,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
         raise NotImplementedError(f"get_project_info not implemented for {self.__class__.__name__}")
 
     @classmethod
-    def get_output_formats(cls):
+    def get_output_formats(cls) -> List[str]:
         """Returns a list of available output formats supported by the engine.
 
         Returns:
@@ -68,21 +78,22 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
         raise NotImplementedError(f"get_output_formats not implemented for {cls.__name__}")
 
     @staticmethod
-    def worker_class():  # override when subclassing to link worker class
+    def worker_class() -> Type[Any]:  # override when subclassing to link worker class
         raise NotImplementedError("Worker class not implemented")
 
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Optional Overrides for Subclasses:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
-    def supported_extensions(self):
-        """
+    def supported_extensions(self) -> List[str]:
+        """Return a list of file extensions supported by this engine.
+
         Returns:
-            list[str]: list of supported extensions
+            List[str]: List of supported file extensions (e.g., ['.blend', '.mp4']).
         """
         return []
 
-    def get_help(self):
+    def get_help(self) -> str:
         """Retrieves the help documentation for the engine.
 
         This method runs the engine's help command (default: '-h') and captures the output.
@@ -102,7 +113,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
                                            timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT, creationflags=creationflags).decode('utf-8')
         return help_doc
 
-    def system_info(self):
+    def system_info(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """Return additional information about the system specfic to the engine (configured GPUs, render engines, etc)
 
         Returns:
@@ -110,7 +121,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
         """
         return {}
 
-    def perform_presubmission_tasks(self, project_path):
+    def perform_presubmission_tasks(self, project_path: str) -> str:
         """Perform any pre-submission tasks on a project file before uploading it to a server (pack textures, etc.)
 
         Override this method to:
@@ -126,31 +137,60 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
         """
         return project_path
 
-    def get_arguments(self):
-        pass
+    def get_arguments(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Return command-line arguments for this engine.
+
+        Returns:
+            Dict[str, Any]: Dictionary of argument specifications.
+        """
+        return {}
 
     @staticmethod
-    def downloader():  # override when subclassing if using a downloader class
+    def downloader() -> Optional[Any]:
+        """Return the downloader class for this engine.
+
+        Returns:
+            Optional[Any]: Downloader class instance, or None if no downloader is used.
+        """
         return None
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def ui_options(system_info):  # override to return options for ui
+    def ui_options(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Return UI configuration options for this engine.
+
+        Returns:
+            Dict[str, Any]: Dictionary of UI options and their configurations.
+        """
         return {}
 
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Do Not Override These Methods:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
-    def engine_path(self):
+    def engine_path(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Return the path to the engine executable.
+
+        Returns:
+            Optional[str]: Path to the engine executable, or None if not found.
+        """
         return self.custom_engine_path or self.default_engine_path()
 
     @classmethod
-    def name(cls):
+    def name(cls) -> str:
+        """Return the name of this engine.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: Engine name in lowercase.
+        """
         return str(cls.__name__).lower()
 
     @classmethod
-    def default_engine_path(cls):
-        path = None
+    def default_engine_path(cls) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Find the default path to the engine executable.
+
+        Returns:
+            Optional[str]: Default path to the engine executable, or None if not found.
+        """
+        path: Optional[str] = None
         try:  # Linux and macOS
             path = subprocess.check_output(['which', cls.name()], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT).decode('utf-8').strip()
         except (subprocess.CalledProcessError, FileNotFoundError):

src/engines/core/base_worker.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import subprocess
 import threading
 import time
 from datetime import datetime
+from typing import Optional, Dict, Any, List, Union
 
 import psutil
 from pubsub import pub
@@ -36,7 +37,6 @@ 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)
@@ -50,9 +50,25 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
     # Required Overrides for Subclasses:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
-    def __init__(self, input_path, output_path, engine_path, priority=2, args=None, ignore_extensions=True, parent=None,
-                 name=None):
+    def __init__(self, input_path: str, output_path: str, engine_path: str, priority: int = 2,
+                 args: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None, ignore_extensions: bool = True,
+                 parent: Optional[str] = None, name: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
+        """Initialize a render worker.
 
+        Args:
+            input_path: Path to the input project file.
+            output_path: Path where output files will be saved.
+            engine_path: Path to the render engine executable.
+            priority: Job priority level (default: 2).
+            args: Additional arguments for the render job.
+            ignore_extensions: Whether to ignore file extension validation.
+            parent: Parent job ID for distributed jobs.
+            name: Custom name for the job.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If file extension is not supported.
+            NotImplementedError: If engine is not defined.
+        """
         if not ignore_extensions:
             if not any(ext in input_path for ext in self.engine.supported_extensions()):
                 err_meg = f"Cannot find valid project with supported file extension for '{self.engine.name()}'"
@@ -62,6 +78,7 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
             raise NotImplementedError(f"Engine not defined for {self.__class__.__name__}")
 
         def generate_id():
+            """Generate a unique job ID."""
             import uuid
             return str(uuid.uuid4()).split('-')[0]
 
@@ -83,7 +100,6 @@ 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
@@ -105,15 +121,15 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
         self.__last_output_time = None
         self.watchdog_timeout = 120
 
-    def generate_worker_subprocess(self):
+    def generate_worker_subprocess(self) -> List[str]:
         """Generate a return a list of the command line arguments necessary to perform requested job
-        
+
         Returns:
             list[str]: list of command line arguments
         """
         raise NotImplementedError("generate_worker_subprocess not implemented")
 
-    def _parse_stdout(self, line):
+    def _parse_stdout(self, line: str) -> None:
         """Parses a line of standard output from the engine.
 
         This method should be overridden in a subclass to implement the logic for processing
@@ -135,13 +151,18 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
     # Optional Overrides for Subclasses:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
-    def percent_complete(self):
+    def percent_complete(self) -> float:
+        """Return the completion percentage of this job.
+
+        Returns:
+            float: Completion percentage between 0.0 and 1.0.
+        """
         # todo: fix this
         if self.status == RenderStatus.COMPLETED:
             return 1.0
         return 0
 
-    def post_processing(self):
+    def post_processing(self) -> None:
         """Override to perform any engine-specific postprocessing"""
         pass
 
@@ -150,11 +171,16 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
     # --------------------------------------------
 
     def __repr__(self):
+        """Return string representation of the worker.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: String representation showing job details.
+        """
         return f"<Job id:{self.id} p{self.priority} {self.engine_name}-{self.engine_version} '{self.name}' status:{self.status.value}>"
 
     @property
     def total_frames(self):
-        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):
@@ -178,6 +204,14 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
         pub.sendMessage('frame_complete', job_id=self.id, frame_number=self.current_frame)
 
     def generate_subprocess(self):
+        """Generate subprocess command arguments.
+
+        Returns:
+            List[str]: List of command line arguments for the subprocess.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If argument conflicts are detected.
+        """
         # Convert raw args from string if available and catch conflicts
         generated_args = [str(x) for x in self.generate_worker_subprocess()]
         generated_args_flags = [x for x in generated_args if x.startswith('-')]
@@ -188,6 +222,11 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
         return generated_args
 
     def get_raw_args(self):
+        """Parse raw command line arguments from args dictionary.
+
+        Returns:
+            Optional[List[str]]: Parsed raw arguments, or None if no raw args.
+        """
         raw_args_string = self.args.get('raw', '')
         raw_args = None
         if raw_args_string:
@@ -196,12 +235,20 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
         return raw_args
 
     def log_path(self):
+        """Generate the log file path for this job.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: Path to the log file.
+        """
         filename = (self.name or os.path.basename(self.input_path)) + '_' + \
                    self.date_created.strftime("%Y.%m.%d_%H.%M.%S") + '.log'
         return os.path.join(os.path.dirname(self.input_path), filename)
 
     def start(self):
+        """Start the render job.
 
+        Validates input paths and engine availability, then starts the render thread.
+        """
         if self.status not in [RenderStatus.SCHEDULED, RenderStatus.NOT_STARTED, RenderStatus.CONFIGURING]:
             logger.error(f"Trying to start job with status: {self.status}")
             return
@@ -431,17 +478,33 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
             logger.error(f"Error stopping the process: {e}")
 
     def is_running(self):
+        """Check if the render job is currently running.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if the job is running, False otherwise.
+        """
         if hasattr(self, '__thread'):
             return self.__thread.is_alive()
         return False
 
     def log_error(self, error_line, halt_render=False):
+        """Log an error and optionally halt the render.
+
+        Args:
+            error_line: Error message to log.
+            halt_render: Whether to stop the render due to this error.
+        """
         logger.error(error_line)
         self.errors.append(error_line)
         if halt_render:
             self.stop(is_error=True)
 
     def stop(self, is_error=False):
+        """Stop the render job.
+
+        Args:
+            is_error: Whether this stop is due to an error.
+        """
         logger.debug(f"Stopping {self}")
 
         # cleanup status
@@ -459,9 +522,19 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
             self.__thread.join(timeout=5)
 
     def time_elapsed(self):
+        """Get elapsed time for this job.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: Formatted time elapsed string.
+        """
         return get_time_elapsed(self.start_time, self.end_time)
 
     def file_list(self):
+        """Get list of output files for this job.
+
+        Returns:
+            List[str]: List of output file paths.
+        """
         try:
             job_dir = os.path.dirname(self.output_path)
             file_list = [
@@ -475,6 +548,11 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
             return []
 
     def json(self):
+        """Convert worker to JSON-serializable dictionary.
+
+        Returns:
+            Dict[str, Any]: Dictionary representation of worker data.
+        """
         job_dict = {
             'id': self.id,
             'name': self.name,
@@ -504,8 +582,10 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
 
         # convert to json and back to auto-convert dates to iso format
         def date_serializer(o):
+            """Serialize datetime objects to ISO format."""
             if isinstance(o, datetime):
                 return o.isoformat()
+            return None
 
         json_convert = json.dumps(job_dict, default=date_serializer)
         worker_json = json.loads(json_convert)
@@ -513,6 +593,15 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
 
 
 def timecode_to_frames(timecode, frame_rate):
+    """Convert timecode string to frame number.
+
+    Args:
+        timecode: Timecode in format HH:MM:SS:FF.
+        frame_rate: Frames per second.
+
+    Returns:
+        int: Frame number corresponding to timecode.
+    """
     e = [int(x) for x in timecode.split(':')]
     seconds = (((e[0] * 60) + e[1] * 60) + e[2])
     frames = (seconds * frame_rate) + e[-1] + 1

src/engines/engine_manager.py

@@ -3,51 +3,101 @@ import os
 import shutil
 import threading
 import concurrent.futures
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Type, List, Dict, Any, Optional
 
+from src.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
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import 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,
     if possible.
     """
 
-    engines_path = None
-    download_tasks = []
+    engines_path: Optional[str] = None
+    download_tasks: List[Any] = []
 
     @staticmethod
-    def supported_engines():
-        return [Blender, FFMPEG]
+    def supported_engines() -> list[type[BaseRenderEngine]]:
+        """Return list of supported engine classes.
+
+        Returns:
+            List[Type[BaseRenderEngine]]: List of available engine classes.
+        """
+        return ENGINE_CLASSES
+
+    # --- Installed Engines ---
 
     @classmethod
-    def downloadable_engines(cls):
-        return [engine for engine in cls.supported_engines() if hasattr(engine, "downloader") and engine.downloader()]
+    def engine_class_for_project_path(cls, path: str) -> Type[BaseRenderEngine]:
+        """Find engine class that can handle the given project file.
+
+        Args:
+            path: Path to project file.
+
+        Returns:
+            Type[BaseRenderEngine]: Engine class that can handle the file.
+        """
+        _, 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:
-        return [x for x in cls.download_tasks if x.is_alive()]
+    def engine_class_with_name(cls, engine_name: str) -> Optional[Type[BaseRenderEngine]]:
+        """Find engine class by name.
 
-    @classmethod
-    def engine_with_name(cls, engine_name):
+        Args:
+            engine_name: Name of engine to find.
+
+        Returns:
+            Optional[Type[BaseRenderEngine]]: Engine class if found, None otherwise.
+        """
         for obj in cls.supported_engines():
             if obj.name().lower() == engine_name.lower():
                 return obj
+        return None
 
     @classmethod
-    def update_all_engines(cls):
-        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)
+    def get_latest_engine_instance(cls, engine_class: Type[BaseRenderEngine]) -> BaseRenderEngine:
+        """Create instance of latest installed engine version.
+
+        Args:
+            engine_class: Engine class to instantiate.
+
+        Returns:
+            BaseRenderEngine: Instance of engine with latest version.
+        """
+        newest = cls.newest_installed_engine_data(engine_class.name())
+        engine = engine_class(newest["path"])
+        return engine
 
     @classmethod
-    def get_engines(cls, filter_name=None, include_corrupt=False, ignore_system=False):
+    def get_installed_engine_data(cls, filter_name: Optional[str] = None, include_corrupt: bool = False,
+                                  ignore_system: bool = False) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        """Get data about installed render engines.
 
+        Args:
+            filter_name: Optional engine name to filter by.
+            include_corrupt: Whether to include potentially corrupted installations.
+            ignore_system: Whether to ignore system-installed engines.
+
+        Returns:
+            List[Dict[str, Any]]: List of installed engine data.
+
+        Raises:
+            FileNotFoundError: If engines path is not set.
+        """
         if not cls.engines_path:
             raise FileNotFoundError("Engine path is not set")
 
@@ -68,15 +118,13 @@ 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
-                path = next(
-                    (os.path.join(root, binary_name) for root, _, files in
-                     os.walk(system_safe_path(os.path.join(cls.engines_path, directory))) if binary_name in files),
-                    None
-                )
+                search_root = Path(cls.engines_path) / directory
+                match = next((p for p in search_root.rglob(binary_name) if p.is_file()), None)
+                path = str(match) if match else None
                 result_dict['path'] = path
 
                 # fetch version number from binary - helps detect corrupted downloads - disabled due to perf issues
@@ -123,70 +171,141 @@ class EngineManager:
 
         return results
 
+    # --- Check for Updates ---
+
     @classmethod
-    def all_versions_for_engine(cls, engine_name, include_corrupt=False, ignore_system=False):
-        versions = cls.get_engines(filter_name=engine_name, include_corrupt=include_corrupt, ignore_system=ignore_system)
+    def update_all_engines(cls) -> None:
+        """Check for and download updates for all downloadable engines."""
+        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:
+        """Get all version data for a specific engine.
+
+        Args:
+            engine_name: Name of engine to query.
+            include_corrupt: Whether to include corrupt installations.
+            ignore_system: Whether to ignore system installations.
+
+        Returns:
+            list: Sorted list of engine version data (newest first).
+        """
+        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:
+        """Get newest installed engine data for specific platform.
+
+        Args:
+            engine_name: Name of engine to query.
+            system_os: Operating system to filter by (defaults to current).
+            cpu: CPU architecture to filter by (defaults to current).
+            ignore_system: Whether to ignore system installations.
+
+        Returns:
+            list: Newest engine data or empty list if not found.
+        """
         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}")
-        return None
+            logger.error(f"Cannot find newest engine version for {engine_name}-{system_os}-{cpu}")
+        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:str, system_os=None, cpu=None, ignore_system=False):
+        """Check if specific engine version is installed.
+
+        Args:
+            engine_name: Name of engine to check.
+            version: Version string to check.
+            system_os: Operating system to check (defaults to current).
+            cpu: CPU architecture to check (defaults to current).
+            ignore_system: Whether to ignore system installations.
+
+        Returns:
+            Engine data if found, False otherwise.
+        """
         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):
+        """Get list of engines that support downloading.
+
+        Returns:
+            List[Type[BaseRenderEngine]]: Engines with downloader capability.
+        """
+        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)
-        existing_task = cls.get_existing_download_task(engine, version, system_os, cpu)
+        engine_to_download = cls.engine_class_with_name(engine_name)
+        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 +315,7 @@ 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 +323,75 @@ 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):
-        logger.info(f"Requested deletion of engine: {engine}-{version}")
+    def delete_engine_download(cls, engine_name, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
+        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
 
-    @classmethod
-    def is_engine_update_available(cls, engine_class, 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_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
-
+    # --- Background Tasks ---
 
     @classmethod
-    def create_worker(cls, engine_name, input_path, output_path, engine_version=None, args=None, parent=None, name=None):
+    def active_downloads(cls) -> list:
+        """Get list of currently active download tasks.
 
-        worker_class = cls.engine_with_name(engine_name).worker_class()
+        Returns:
+            list: List of active EngineDownloadWorker threads.
+        """
+        return [x for x in cls.download_tasks if x.is_alive()]
+
+    @classmethod
+    def create_worker(cls, engine_name: str, input_path: Path, output_path: Path, engine_version=None, args=None, parent=None, name=None):
+        """
+        Create and return a worker instance for a specific engine.
+
+        This resolves the appropriate engine binary/path for the requested engine and version,
+        downloading the engine if necessary (when a specific version is requested and not found
+        locally). The returned worker is constructed with string paths for compatibility with
+        worker implementations that expect `str` rather than `Path`.
+
+        Args:
+        	engine_name: The engine name used to resolve an engine class and its worker.
+        	input_path: Path to the input file/folder for the worker to process.
+        	output_path: Path where the worker should write output.
+        	engine_version: Optional engine version to use. If `None` or `'latest'`, the newest
+        		installed version is used. If a specific version is provided and not installed,
+        		the engine will be downloaded.
+        	args: Optional arguments passed through to the worker (engine-specific).
+        	parent: Optional Qt/GUI parent object passed through to the worker constructor.
+        	name: Optional name/label passed through to the worker constructor.
+
+        Returns:
+        	An instance of the engine-specific worker class.
+
+        Raises:
+        	FileNotFoundError: If no versions of the engine are installed, if the requested
+        		version cannot be found or downloaded, or if the engine path cannot be resolved.
+        """
+
+        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")
 
@@ -278,19 +417,9 @@ class EngineManager:
         if not engine_path:
             raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot find requested engine version {engine_version}")
 
-        return worker_class(input_path=input_path, output_path=output_path, engine_path=engine_path, args=args,
+        return worker_class(input_path=str(input_path), output_path=str(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.
@@ -305,6 +434,14 @@ class EngineDownloadWorker(threading.Thread):
         cpu (str, optional): Requested CPU architecture. Defaults to system CPU type.
     """
     def __init__(self, engine, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
+        """Initialize download worker for specific engine version.
+
+        Args:
+            engine: Name of engine to download.
+            version: Version of engine to download.
+            system_os: Target operating system (defaults to current).
+            cpu: Target CPU architecture (defaults to current).
+        """
         super().__init__()
         self.engine = engine
         self.version = version
@@ -313,25 +450,35 @@ class EngineDownloadWorker(threading.Thread):
         self.percent_complete = 0
 
     def _update_progress(self, current_progress):
+        """Update download progress.
+
+        Args:
+            current_progress: Current download progress percentage (0-100).
+        """
         self.percent_complete = current_progress
 
-    def run(self):
-        try:
-            existing_download = EngineManager.is_version_downloaded(self.engine, self.version, self.system_os, self.cpu,
-                                                                    ignore_system=True)
-            if existing_download:
-                logger.info(f"Requested download of {self.engine} {self.version}, but local copy already exists")
-                return existing_download
+def run(self):
+    """Execute the download process.
 
-            # Get the appropriate downloader class based on the engine type
-            downloader = EngineManager.engine_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:
-            logger.error(f"Error in download worker: {e}")
-        finally:
-            # remove itself from the downloader list
-            EngineManager.download_tasks.remove(self)
+    Checks if engine version already exists, then downloads if not found.
+    Handles cleanup and error reporting.
+    """
+    try:
+        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_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:
+        logger.error(f"Error in download worker: {e}")
+    finally:
+        # remove itself from the downloader list
+        EngineManager.download_tasks.remove(self)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
@@ -341,4 +488,4 @@ 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 FFMPEGUI.get_options(self)
+        return []
 
     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):
-            cmd.extend(['-vf', f"scale={self.args['x_resolution']}:{self.args['y_resolution']}"])
+        if self.args.get('resolution', None):
+            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/render_queue.py

@@ -1,34 +1,36 @@
 import logging
-import os
+from collections import Counter
 from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import List, Dict, Any, Optional
 
 from pubsub import pub
 from sqlalchemy import create_engine
 from sqlalchemy.orm import sessionmaker
 from sqlalchemy.orm.exc import DetachedInstanceError
 
-from src.engines.core.base_worker import Base
+from src.engines.core.base_worker import Base, BaseRenderWorker
 from src.utilities.status_utils import RenderStatus
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 
 
 class JobNotFoundError(Exception):
-    def __init__(self, job_id, *args):
+    def __init__(self, job_id: str, *args: Any) -> None:
         super().__init__(args)
         self.job_id = job_id
 
-    def __str__(self):
+    def __str__(self) -> str:
         return f"Cannot find job with ID: {self.job_id}"
 
 
 class RenderQueue:
-    engine = None
-    session = None
-    job_queue = []
-    maximum_renderer_instances = {'blender': 1, 'aerender': 1, 'ffmpeg': 4}
-    last_saved_counts = {}
-    is_running = False
+    engine: Optional[create_engine] = None
+    session: Optional[sessionmaker] = None
+    job_queue: List[BaseRenderWorker] = []
+    maximum_renderer_instances: Dict[str, int] = {'blender': 1, 'aerender': 1, 'ffmpeg': 4}
+    last_saved_counts: Dict[str, int] = {}
+    is_running: bool = False
 
     # --------------------------------------------
     # Render Queue Evaluation:
@@ -116,12 +118,11 @@ class RenderQueue:
     # --------------------------------------------
 
     @classmethod
-    def load_state(cls, database_directory):
+    def load_state(cls, database_directory: Path):
         if not cls.engine:
-            cls.engine = create_engine(f"sqlite:///{os.path.join(database_directory, 'database.db')}")
+            cls.engine = create_engine(f"sqlite:///{database_directory / 'database.db'}")
             Base.metadata.create_all(cls.engine)
             cls.session = sessionmaker(bind=cls.engine)()
-        from src.engines.core.base_worker import BaseRenderWorker
         cls.job_queue = cls.session.query(BaseRenderWorker).all()
         pub.subscribe(cls.__local_job_status_changed, 'status_change')
 
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ class RenderQueue:
         logger.debug("Closing session")
         cls.stop()
         running_jobs = cls.jobs_with_status(RenderStatus.RUNNING)  # cancel all running jobs
-        [cls.cancel_job(job) for job in running_jobs]
+        _ = [cls.cancel_job(job) for job in running_jobs]
         cls.save_state()
         cls.session.close()
 
@@ -144,7 +145,6 @@ class RenderQueue:
 
     @classmethod
     def renderer_instances(cls):
-        from collections import Counter
         all_instances = [x.engine_name for x in cls.running_jobs()]
         return Counter(all_instances)
 

src/ui/add_job_window.py

@@ -1,32 +1,32 @@
-import copy
-import os.path
-import pathlib
 import socket
-import threading
+from pathlib import Path
 
 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.misc_helper import COMMON_RESOLUTIONS, COMMON_FRAME_RATES
 from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
 
 
 class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
     def __init__(self, project_path=None):
         super().__init__()
-        self.notes_group = None
-        self.frame_rate_input = None
+        self.resolution_options_list = 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 +55,202 @@ 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_label = QLabel("Processing")
+        self.process_progress_bar.setMaximum(0)  # Indeterminate
         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
-        self.project_group = QGroupBox("Project")
-        server_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.project_group)
-        # File Path
+        # Scene File
+        job_overview_group = QGroupBox("Project File")
+        file_group_layout = QVBoxLayout(job_overview_group)
+
+        # 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)
-        # Server List
+        file_group_layout.addLayout(scene_file_picker_layout)
+
+        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, 3)
-        server_layout.addLayout(server_list_layout)
-        main_layout.addWidget(self.project_group)
-        self.update_server_list()
+        server_list_layout.addWidget(self.server_input)
+        project_layout.addLayout(server_list_layout)
+
         # 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)
-        server_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)
+        priority_layout.addWidget(self.priority_input)
+        project_layout.addLayout(priority_layout)
 
-        # Output Settings Group
-        self.output_settings_group = QGroupBox("Output Settings")
+        # Split Jobs Options
+        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()
-        render_name_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Render name:"))
-        self.render_name_input = QLineEdit()
-        render_name_layout.addWidget(self.render_name_input)
-        output_settings_layout.addLayout(render_name_layout)
-        # file format
+
+        # File Format
+        format_group = QGroupBox("Format / Range")
+        output_settings_layout.addWidget(format_group)
+        format_group_layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        format_group.setLayout(format_group_layout)
         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)
-        # frame range
-        frame_range_layout = QHBoxLayout(self.output_settings_group)
+        file_format_layout.addStretch()
+        format_group_layout.addLayout(file_format_layout)
+
+        # 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)
-        # resolution
-        resolution_layout = QHBoxLayout(self.output_settings_group)
+        frame_range_layout.addStretch()
+        format_group_layout.addLayout(frame_range_layout)
+
+        # --- 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_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:"))
+        self.resolution_x_input.setFixedWidth(80)
         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.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)
+        resolution_layout.addStretch()
 
-        # Engine Group
-        self.engine_group = QGroupBox("Engine Settings")
+        fps_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        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:"))
-        self.engine_type = QComboBox()
-        self.engine_type.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.engine_changed)
-        engine_layout.addWidget(self.engine_type)
-        # Version
-        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Version:"))
+        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Engine 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 +258,34 @@ 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
-        self.cameras_group = QGroupBox("Cameras")
+        # ==================== Tab 4: 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
-        self.notes_group = QGroupBox("Additional Notes")
+        # ==================== Tab 5: Misc / 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 +300,40 @@ 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):
-        # get the engine info and add them all to the ui
-        self.engine_info = self.server_proxy.get_engine_info(response_type='full')
-        self.engine_type.addItems(self.engine_info.keys())
-        # select the best engine for the file type
-        engine = EngineManager.engine_for_project_path(self.project_path)
-        self.engine_type.setCurrentText(engine.name().lower())
-        # refresh ui
-        self.engine_changed()
+    def update_job_count(self, changed_item=None):
+        checked = 1
+        if self.cameras_group.enabled:
+            checked = 0
+            total = self.cameras_list.count()
+
+            for i in range(total):
+                item = self.cameras_list.item(i)
+                if item.checkState() == Qt.CheckState.Checked:
+                    checked += 1
+
+        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 +342,13 @@ 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()
@@ -280,20 +367,20 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
         self.process_label.setHidden(False)
         self.toggle_engine_enablement(False)
 
-        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)
+        output_name = Path(self.scene_file_input.text()).stem.replace(' ', '_')
+        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)
-        self.output_settings_group.setHidden(not enabled)
-        self.engine_group.setHidden(not enabled)
-        self.notes_group.setHidden(not enabled)
-        if not enabled:
-            self.cameras_group.setHidden(True)
+        indexes = [self.tabs.indexOf(self.project_group),
+                   self.tabs.indexOf(self.output_settings_group),
+                   self.tabs.indexOf(self.engine_group),
+                   self.tabs.indexOf(self.cameras_group),
+                   self.tabs.indexOf(self.notes_group)]
+        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': self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower(),
+                        '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()},
-                        'output_path': self.window.render_name_input.text(),
+                                 'export_format': self.window.file_format_combo.currentText(),
+                                 '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()):
@@ -485,26 +588,27 @@ class SubmitWorker(QThread):
 
             # process cameras into nested format
             input_path = self.window.scene_file_input.text()
-            if selected_cameras:
-                job_list = []
+            if selected_cameras and self.window.cameras_list.count() > 1:
+                children_jobs = []
                 for cam in selected_cameras:
-                    job_copy = copy.deepcopy(job_json)
-                    job_copy['args']['camera'] = cam
-                    job_copy['name'] = job_copy['name'].replace(' ', '-') + "_" + cam.replace(' ', '')
-                    job_copy['output_path'] = job_copy['name']
-                    job_list.append(job_copy)
-            else:
-                job_list = [job_json]
+                    child_job_data = dict()
+                    child_job_data['args'] = {}
+                    child_job_data['args']['camera'] = cam
+                    child_job_data['name'] = job_json['name'].replace(' ', '-') + "_" + cam.replace(' ', '')
+                    child_job_data['output_path'] = child_job_data['name']
+                    children_jobs.append(child_job_data)
+                job_json['child_jobs'] = children_jobs
 
-            # presubmission tasks
-            engine = EngineManager.engine_with_name(self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower())
-            input_path = engine().perform_presubmission_tasks(input_path)
+            # presubmission tasks - use local installs
+            engine_class = EngineManager.engine_class_with_name(self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower())
+            latest_engine = EngineManager.get_latest_engine_instance(engine_class)
+            input_path = 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_list=job_list,
+            result = self.window.server_proxy.post_job_to_server(file_path=input_path, job_data=job_json,
                                                           callback=create_callback)
             if not (result and result.ok):
-                err_msg = "Error posting job to server."
+                err_msg = f"Error posting job to server: {result.text}"
 
             self.message_signal.emit(err_msg)
 
@@ -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)
-        self.window.project_info = engine().get_project_info(self.project_path)
-        self.message_signal.emit()
+        try:
+            # 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

@@ -2,26 +2,25 @@
 import ast
 import datetime
 import io
-import json
 import logging
 import os
 import sys
 import threading
 import time
+from typing import List, Dict, Any, Optional
 
 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 +29,10 @@ 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 launch_url, iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import get_time_elapsed, resources_dir, is_localhost
+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()
@@ -52,12 +53,12 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         super().__init__()
 
         # Load the queue
-        self.job_list_view = None
-        self.server_info_ram = None
-        self.server_info_cpu = None
-        self.server_info_os = None
-        self.server_info_gpu = None
-        self.server_info_hostname = None
+        self.job_list_view: Optional[QTableWidget] = None
+        self.server_info_ram: Optional[str] = None
+        self.server_info_cpu: Optional[str] = None
+        self.server_info_os: Optional[str] = None
+        self.server_info_gpu: Optional[List[Dict[str, Any]]] = None
+        self.server_info_hostname: Optional[str] = None
         self.engine_browser_window = None
         self.server_info_group = None
         self.current_hostname = None
@@ -99,8 +100,10 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.create_toolbars()
 
         # start background update
-        self.bg_update_thread = QThread()
-        self.bg_update_thread.run = self.__background_update
+        self.found_servers = []
+        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
@@ -111,7 +114,12 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         # Pick default job
         self.job_picked()
 
-    def setup_ui(self, main_layout):
+    def setup_ui(self, main_layout: QVBoxLayout) -> None:
+        """Setup the main user interface layout.
+
+        Args:
+            main_layout: The main layout container for the UI widgets.
+        """
 
         # Servers
         server_list_group = QGroupBox("Available Servers")
@@ -161,45 +169,41 @@ 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
-        image_group = QGroupBox("Job Preview")
-        image_layout = QVBoxLayout(image_group)
-        image_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
-        image_center_layout = QHBoxLayout()
-        image_center_layout.addWidget(self.image_label)
-        image_layout.addWidget(self.image_label)
-        # image_layout.addLayout(image_center_layout)
+        # Setup Job Headers
+        self.job_list_view.setHorizontalHeaderLabels(["ID", "Name", "Engine", "Priority", "Status",
+                                                      "Time Elapsed", "Frames", "Date Created"])
+        self.job_list_view.setColumnHidden(0, True)
 
-        # Job Layout
-        job_list_group = QGroupBox("Render Jobs")
+        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)
+
+        # 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)
-        image_layout.addLayout(job_list_layout)
+        job_list_layout.addWidget(self.image_label)
+        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):
+        """Handle window close event with job running confirmation.
+
+        Args:
+            event: The close event triggered by user.
+        """
         running_jobs = len(RenderQueue.running_jobs())
         if running_jobs:
             reply = QMessageBox.question(self, "Running Jobs",
@@ -212,7 +216,12 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             else:
                 event.ignore()
 
-# -- Server Code -- #
+    # -- Server Code -- #
+
+    def refresh_job_list(self):
+        """Refresh the job list display."""
+        self.job_list_view.clearContents()
+        self.bg_update_thread.needs_update = True
 
     @property
     def current_server_proxy(self):
@@ -229,7 +238,7 @@ 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 +290,19 @@ 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):
+        """Update UI data with current server and job information."""
+        self.update_servers()
 
         if not self.current_server_proxy:
             return
 
-        if clear_table:
-            self.job_list_view.clear()
-            self.refresh_job_headers()
-
-        job_fetch = self.current_server_proxy.get_all_jobs(ignore_token=False)
-        if job_fetch:
-            num_jobs = len(job_fetch)
+        server_job_data = self.job_data.get(self.current_server_proxy.hostname)
+        if server_job_data:
+            num_jobs = len(server_job_data)
             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
@@ -307,19 +314,20 @@ 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)
 
-# -- Job Code -- #
+    # -- Job Code -- #
     def job_picked(self):
 
         def fetch_preview(job_id):
@@ -385,6 +393,11 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             self.topbar.actions_call['Open Files'].setVisible(False)
 
     def selected_job_ids(self):
+        """Get list of selected job IDs from the job list.
+
+        Returns:
+            List[str]: List of selected job ID strings.
+        """
         try:
             selected_rows = self.job_list_view.selectionModel().selectedRows()
             job_ids = []
@@ -395,23 +408,16 @@ 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 -- #
+    # -- Image Code -- #
 
     def load_image_path(self, image_path):
-        # Load and set the image using QPixmap
+        """Load and display an image from file path.
+
+        Args:
+            image_path: Path to the image file to load.
+        """
+        # Load and set image using QPixmap
         try:
             pixmap = QPixmap(image_path)
             if not pixmap:
@@ -444,28 +450,25 @@ 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]):
-            for hostname in found_servers:
+        if self.found_servers and not is_localhost(self.found_servers[0]):
+            for hostname in self.found_servers:
                 if is_localhost(hostname):
-                    found_servers.remove(hostname)
-                    found_servers.insert(0, hostname)
+                    self.found_servers.remove(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 +479,7 @@ 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
@@ -523,7 +526,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             "New Job", f"{resources_directory}/AddProduct.png", self.new_job)
         self.addToolBar(Qt.ToolBarArea.TopToolBarArea, self.topbar)
 
-# -- Toolbar Buttons -- #
+        # -- Toolbar Buttons -- #
 
     def open_console_window(self) -> None:
         """
@@ -538,8 +541,9 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.engine_browser_window.show()
 
     def job_logs(self) -> None:
-        """
-        Event handler for the "Logs" button.
+        """Open log viewer for selected job.
+
+        Opens a log viewer window showing the logs for the currently selected job.
         """
         selected_job_ids = self.selected_job_ids()
         if selected_job_ids:
@@ -548,8 +552,10 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             self.log_viewer_window.show()
 
     def stop_job(self, event):
-        """
-        Event handler for the Stop Job button
+        """Stop selected render jobs with user confirmation.
+
+        Args:
+            event: The button click event.
         """
         job_ids = self.selected_job_ids()
         if not job_ids:
@@ -559,7 +565,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             job = next((job for job in self.current_server_proxy.get_all_jobs() if job.get('id') == job_ids[0]), None)
             if job:
                 display_name = job.get('name', os.path.basename(job.get('input_path', '')))
-                message = f"Are you sure you want to stop the job:\n{display_name}?"
+                message = f"Are you sure you want to stop job: {display_name}?"
             else:
                 return  # Job not found, handle this case as needed
         else:
@@ -572,11 +578,13 @@ 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):
-        """
-        Event handler for the Delete Job button
+        """Delete selected render jobs with user confirmation.
+
+        Args:
+            event: The button click event.
         """
         job_ids = self.selected_job_ids()
         if not job_ids:
@@ -599,7 +607,7 @@ 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 +638,41 @@ 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):
+        """Main background thread execution loop.
+
+        Continuously fetches server and job data, updating the main UI
+        every second or when updates are needed.
+        """
+        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

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow, QListWidget, QListWidgetI
 from src.api.server_proxy import RenderServerProxy
 from src.engines.engine_manager import EngineManager
 from src.utilities.config import Config
-from src.utilities.misc_helper import launch_url, system_safe_path
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import launch_url
 from src.version import APP_AUTHOR, APP_NAME
 
 settings = QSettings(APP_AUTHOR, APP_NAME)
@@ -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):
@@ -59,9 +59,7 @@ class SettingsWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.check_for_new_engines_button = None
 
         if not EngineManager.engines_path:  # fix issue where sometimes path was not set
-            EngineManager.engines_path = system_safe_path(
-            os.path.join(os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder),
-                                      'engines')))
+            EngineManager.engines_path = Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser() / "engines"
 
         self.installed_engines_table = None
 
@@ -413,7 +411,7 @@ 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/config.py

@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 import os
+from pathlib import Path
+
 import yaml
 from src.utilities.misc_helper import current_system_os, copy_directory_contents
 
@@ -23,7 +25,7 @@ class Config:
         with open(config_path, 'r') as ymlfile:
             cfg = yaml.safe_load(ymlfile)
 
-        cls.upload_folder = os.path.expanduser(cfg.get('upload_folder', cls.upload_folder))
+        cls.upload_folder = str(Path(cfg.get('upload_folder', cls.upload_folder)).expanduser())
         cls.update_engines_on_launch = cfg.get('update_engines_on_launch', cls.update_engines_on_launch)
         cls.max_content_path = cfg.get('max_content_path', cls.max_content_path)
         cls.server_log_level = cfg.get('server_log_level', cls.server_log_level)
@@ -37,14 +39,14 @@ class Config:
         cls.download_timeout_seconds = cfg.get('download_timeout_seconds', cls.download_timeout_seconds)
 
     @classmethod
-    def config_dir(cls):
+    def config_dir(cls) -> Path:
         # Set up the config path
         if current_system_os() == 'macos':
-            local_config_path = os.path.expanduser('~/Library/Application Support/Zordon')
+            local_config_path = Path('~/Library/Application Support/Zordon').expanduser()
         elif current_system_os() == 'windows':
-            local_config_path = os.path.join(os.environ['APPDATA'], 'Zordon')
+            local_config_path = Path(os.environ['APPDATA']) / 'Zordon'
         else:
-            local_config_path = os.path.expanduser('~/.config/Zordon')
+            local_config_path = Path('~/.config/Zordon').expanduser()
         return local_config_path
 
     @classmethod
@@ -61,10 +63,9 @@ class Config:
             # Determine the template path
             resource_environment_path = os.environ.get('RESOURCEPATH')
             if resource_environment_path:
-                template_path = os.path.join(resource_environment_path, 'config')
+                template_path = Path(resource_environment_path) / 'config'
             else:
-                template_path = os.path.join(
-                    os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))), 'config')
+                template_path = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[2] / 'config'
 
             # Copy contents from the template to the local configuration directory
             copy_directory_contents(template_path, local_config_dir)

src/utilities/misc_helper.py

@@ -9,11 +9,12 @@ import string
 import subprocess
 import sys
 from datetime import datetime
+from typing import Optional, List, Dict, Any
 
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 
 
-def launch_url(url):
+def launch_url(url: str) -> None:
     logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
     if shutil.which('xdg-open'):
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ def launch_url(url):
         logger.error(f"Failed to launch URL: {url}. Error: {e}")
 
 
-def file_exists_in_mounts(filepath):
+def file_exists_in_mounts(filepath: str) -> Optional[str]:
     """
     Check if a file exists in any mounted directory.
     It searches for the file in common mount points like '/Volumes', '/mnt', and '/media'.
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ def file_exists_in_mounts(filepath):
                         return possible_mount_path
 
 
-def get_time_elapsed(start_time=None, end_time=None):
+def get_time_elapsed(start_time: Optional[datetime] = None, end_time: Optional[datetime] = None) -> str:
 
     def strfdelta(tdelta, fmt='%H:%M:%S'):
         days = tdelta.days
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@ def get_time_elapsed(start_time=None, end_time=None):
     return elapsed_time_string
 
 
-def get_file_size_human(file_path):
+def get_file_size_human(file_path: str) -> str:
     size_in_bytes = os.path.getsize(file_path)
 
     # Convert size to a human-readable format
@@ -121,26 +122,19 @@ def get_file_size_human(file_path):
         return f"{size_in_bytes / 1024 ** 4:.2f} TB"
 
 
-# Convert path to the appropriate format for the current platform
-def system_safe_path(path):
-    if platform.system().lower() == "windows":
-        return os.path.normpath(path)
-    return path.replace("\\", "/")
-
-
-def current_system_os():
+def current_system_os() -> str:
     return platform.system().lower().replace('darwin', 'macos')
 
 
-def current_system_os_version():
-    return platform.mac_ver()[0] if current_system_os() == 'macos' else platform.release().lower()
+def current_system_os_version() -> str:
+    return platform.release()
 
 
-def current_system_cpu():
-    # convert all x86 64 to "x64"
-    return platform.machine().lower().replace('amd64', 'x64').replace('x86_64', 'x64')
+def current_system_cpu() -> str:
+    return platform.machine().lower().replace('amd64', 'x64')
 
-def current_system_cpu_brand():
+
+def current_system_cpu_brand() -> str:
     """Fast cross-platform CPU brand string"""
     if sys.platform.startswith('darwin'):  # macOS
         try:
@@ -175,28 +169,21 @@ def current_system_cpu_brand():
     # Ultimate fallback
     return platform.processor() or 'Unknown CPU'
 
-def resources_dir():
-    resource_environment_path = os.environ.get('RESOURCEPATH', None)
-    if resource_environment_path:  # running inside resource bundle
-        return os.path.join(resource_environment_path, 'resources')
-    else:
-        return os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))), 'resources')
+def resources_dir() -> str:
+    return os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), '..', '..', 'resources')
 
 
-def copy_directory_contents(src_dir, dst_dir):
-    """
-    Copy the contents of the source directory (src_dir) to the destination directory (dst_dir).
-    """
+def copy_directory_contents(src_dir: str, dst_dir: str) -> None:
     for item in os.listdir(src_dir):
         src_path = os.path.join(src_dir, item)
         dst_path = os.path.join(dst_dir, item)
         if os.path.isdir(src_path):
-            shutil.copytree(src_path, dst_path, dirs_exist_ok=True)
+            shutil.copytree(src_path, dst_path)
         else:
             shutil.copy2(src_path, dst_path)
 
 
-def check_for_updates(repo_name, repo_owner, app_name, current_version):
+def check_for_updates(repo_name: str, repo_owner: str, app_name: str, current_version: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
     def get_github_releases(owner, repo):
         import requests
         url = f"https://api.github.com/repos/{owner}/{repo}/releases"
@@ -211,7 +198,7 @@ def check_for_updates(repo_name, repo_owner, app_name, current_version):
 
     releases = get_github_releases(repo_owner, repo_name)
     if not releases:
-        return
+        return None
 
     latest_version = releases[0]
     latest_version_tag = latest_version['tag_name']
@@ -221,49 +208,17 @@ def check_for_updates(repo_name, repo_owner, app_name, current_version):
         logger.info(f"Newer version of {app_name} available. "
                     f"Latest: {latest_version_tag}, Current: {current_version}")
         return latest_version
+    return None
+
+def is_localhost(comparison_hostname: str) -> bool:
+    return comparison_hostname in ['localhost', '127.0.0.1', socket.gethostname()]
 
 
-def is_localhost(comparison_hostname):
-    # this is necessary because socket.gethostname() does not always include '.local' - This is a sanitized comparison
-    try:
-        comparison_hostname = comparison_hostname.lower().replace('.local', '')
-        local_hostname = socket.gethostname().lower().replace('.local', '')
-        return comparison_hostname == local_hostname
-    except AttributeError:
-        return False
+def num_to_alphanumeric(num: int) -> str:
+    return string.ascii_letters[num % 26] + str(num // 26)
 
 
-def num_to_alphanumeric(num):
-    # List of possible alphanumeric characters
-    characters = string.ascii_letters + string.digits
-
-    # Make sure number is positive
-    num = abs(num)
-
-    # Convert number to alphanumeric
-    result = ""
-    while num > 0:
-        num, remainder = divmod(num, len(characters))
-        result += characters[remainder]
-
-    return result[::-1]  # Reverse the result to get the correct alphanumeric string
-
-
-def iso_datestring_to_formatted_datestring(iso_date_string):
-    from dateutil import parser
-    import pytz
-
-    # Parse the ISO date string into a datetime object and convert timezones
-    date = parser.isoparse(iso_date_string).astimezone(pytz.UTC)
-    local_timezone = datetime.now().astimezone().tzinfo
-    date_local = date.astimezone(local_timezone)
-
-    # Format the date to the desired readable yet sortable format with 12-hour time
-    formatted_date = date_local.strftime('%Y-%m-%d %I:%M %p')
-
-    return formatted_date
-
-def get_gpu_info():
+def get_gpu_info() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
     """Cross-platform GPU information retrieval"""
 
     def get_windows_gpu_info():
@@ -384,3 +339,56 @@ 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,
+}