FFMPEG path fixes for ffprobe

EngineManager renaming and refactoring
More window improvements
2026-02-05 13:46:10 +00:00 · 2026-01-06 23:49:22 -06:00 · 2026-01-06 23:48:49 -06:00 · 2026-01-06 21:50:41 -06:00 · 2026-01-06 19:33:46 -06:00 · 2026-01-06 03:45:19 -06:00
24 changed files with 679 additions and 1395 deletions
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,193 +4,43 @@
 # Zordon
-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.
+A lightweight, zero-install, distributed rendering and management tool designed to streamline and optimize rendering workflows across multiple machines
 ## What is Zordon?
-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.
+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.
 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!
-### Detailed Workflow
+## Supported Renderers
-#### Setting Up a Render Farm
+Zordon supports or plans to support the following renderers:
 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**
+- **FFMPEG**
- **Adobe After Effects** (planned)
+- **Adobe After Effects** ([coming soon](https://github.com/blw1138/Zordon/issues/84))
- **Cinema 4D** (planned)
+- **Cinema 4D** ([planned](https://github.com/blw1138/Zordon/issues/105))
- **Autodesk Maya** (planned)
+- **Autodesk Maya** ([planned](https://github.com/blw1138/Zordon/issues/106))
 ## System Requirements
 - Windows 10 or later
 - macOS Ventura (13.0) or later
- Linux (supported versions TBD)
+- 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
 ```
 ## 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.
--- a/client.spec
+++ b/client.spec
@@ -1,158 +1,121 @@
 # -*- mode: python ; coding: utf-8 -*-
 from PyInstaller.utils.hooks import collect_all
-from pathlib import Path
+
 # - get version from version file
 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", "src.version"]
+hiddenimports = ['zeroconf']
 tmp_ret = collect_all('zeroconf')
 datas += tmp_ret[0]; binaries += tmp_ret[1]; hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
 tmp_ret = collect_all("zeroconf")
 datas += tmp_ret[0]
 binaries += tmp_ret[1]
 hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 # Analysis
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 a = Analysis(
-	["client.py"],
+    ['client.py'],
-	pathex=[str(project_root)],
+    pathex=[],
-	binaries=binaries,
+    binaries=binaries,
-	datas=datas,
+    datas=datas,
-	hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
+    hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
-	hookspath=[],
+    hookspath=[],
-	hooksconfig={},
+    hooksconfig={},
-	runtime_hooks=[],
+    runtime_hooks=[],
-	excludes=[],
+    excludes=[],
-	noarchive=False,
+    noarchive=False,
-	optimize=1,  # optimize=2 breaks Windows builds
+    optimize=1,  # fyi: optim level 2 breaks on windows
 )
 pyz = PYZ(a.pure)
-# ------------------------------------------------------------
+if platform.system() == 'Darwin':  # macOS
 # Platform targets
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
-if platform.system() == "Darwin":  # macOS
+    exe = EXE(
        pyz,
        a.scripts,
        [],
        exclude_binaries=True,
        name=APP_NAME,
        debug=False,
        bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
        strip=True,
        upx=True,
        console=False,
        disable_windowed_traceback=False,
        argv_emulation=False,
        target_arch=None,
        codesign_identity=None,
        entitlements_file=None,
    )
    app = BUNDLE(
        exe,
        a.binaries,
        a.datas,
        strip=True,
        name=f'{APP_NAME}.app',
        icon='resources/Server.png',
        bundle_identifier=None,
        version=APP_VERSION
    )
-	exe = EXE(
+elif platform.system() == 'Windows':
 		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(
+    import pyinstaller_versionfile
-		exe,
+    import tempfile
 		a.binaries,
 		a.datas,
 		strip=True,
 		name=f"{APP_NAME}.app",
 		icon="resources/Server.png",
 		bundle_identifier=None,
 		version=APP_VERSION,
 	)
-elif platform.system() == "Windows":
+    version_file_path = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), 'versionfile.txt')
-	import pyinstaller_versionfile
+    pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
-	import tempfile
+        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
    )
-	version_file_path = os.path.join(
+    exe = EXE(
-		tempfile.gettempdir(), "versionfile.txt"
+        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
    )
-	pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
+else:  # linux
-		output_file=version_file_path,
+    exe = EXE(
-		version=APP_VERSION,
+        pyz,
-		company_name=APP_AUTHOR,
+        a.scripts,
-		file_description=APP_NAME,
+        a.binaries,
-		internal_name=APP_NAME,
+        a.datas,
-		legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
+        [],
-		original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
+        name=APP_NAME,
-		product_name=APP_NAME,
+        debug=False,
-	)
+        bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
-
+        strip=True,
-	exe = EXE(
+        upx=True,
-		pyz,
+        console=False,
-		a.scripts,
+        disable_windowed_traceback=False,
-		a.binaries,
+        argv_emulation=False,
-		a.datas,
+        target_arch=None,
-		[],
+        codesign_identity=None,
-		name=APP_NAME,
+        entitlements_file=None
-		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,
 	)
--- a/server.py
+++ b/server.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import multiprocessing
 import os
 import socket
 import threading
 from pathlib import Path
 import psutil
@@ -15,8 +14,8 @@ 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, current_system_cpu, current_system_os,
+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)
+                                       current_system_os_version, current_system_cpu_brand, check_for_updates)
 from src.utilities.zeroconf_server import ZeroconfServer
 from src.version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION
@@ -34,20 +33,23 @@ class ZordonServer:
        # Load Config YAML
        Config.setup_config_dir()
-        config_path = Path(Config.config_dir()) / "config.yaml"
+        Config.load_config(system_safe_path(os.path.join(Config.config_dir(), 'config.yaml')))
        Config.load_config(config_path)
        # configure default paths
-        EngineManager.engines_path = str(Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser()/ "engines")
+        EngineManager.engines_path = system_safe_path(
            os.path.join(os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder),
                                      'engines')))
        os.makedirs(EngineManager.engines_path, exist_ok=True)
-        PreviewManager.storage_path = Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser() / "previews"
+        PreviewManager.storage_path = system_safe_path(
            os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder), 'previews'))
        self.api_server = None
-        self.server_hostname: str = socket.gethostname()
+        self.server_hostname = None
    def start_server(self):
        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']):
@@ -70,15 +72,15 @@ class ZordonServer:
        # 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"Upload directory: {os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder)}")
        logger.debug(f"Thumbs directory: {PreviewManager.storage_path}")
        logger.debug(f"Engines directory: {EngineManager.engines_path}")
        # Set up the RenderQueue object
-        RenderQueue.load_state(database_directory=Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser())
+        RenderQueue.load_state(database_directory=system_safe_path(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder)))
        ServerProxyManager.subscribe_to_listener()
        DistributedJobManager.subscribe_to_listener()
-        # update hostname
+        # get hostname
        self.server_hostname = socket.gethostname()
        # configure and start API server
--- a/server.spec
+++ b/server.spec
@@ -1,158 +1,90 @@
 # -*- mode: python ; coding: utf-8 -*-
 from PyInstaller.utils.hooks import collect_all
-from pathlib import Path
+
 # - get version from version file
 import os
 import sys
 import platform
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
 from version import APP_NAME, APP_VERSION, APP_AUTHOR
-# ------------------------------------------------------------
+APP_NAME = APP_NAME + " Server"
-# Project paths
+datas = [('resources', 'resources'), ('src/engines/blender/scripts/', 'src/engines/blender/scripts')]
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 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", "src.version"]
+hiddenimports = ['zeroconf']
 tmp_ret = collect_all('zeroconf')
 datas += tmp_ret[0]; binaries += tmp_ret[1]; hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
 tmp_ret = collect_all("zeroconf")
 datas += tmp_ret[0]
 binaries += tmp_ret[1]
 hiddenimports += tmp_ret[2]
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 # Analysis
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
 a = Analysis(
-	["server.py"],
+    ['server.py'],
-	pathex=[str(project_root)],
+    pathex=[],
-	binaries=binaries,
+    binaries=binaries,
-	datas=datas,
+    datas=datas,
-	hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
+    hiddenimports=hiddenimports,
-	hookspath=[],
+    hookspath=[],
-	hooksconfig={},
+    hooksconfig={},
-	runtime_hooks=[],
+    runtime_hooks=[],
-	excludes=[],
+    excludes=[],
-	noarchive=False,
+    noarchive=False,
-	optimize=1,  # optimize=2 breaks Windows builds
+    optimize=1,  # fyi: optim level 2 breaks on windows
 )
 pyz = PYZ(a.pure)
-# ------------------------------------------------------------
+if platform.system() == 'Windows':
 # Platform targets
 # ------------------------------------------------------------
-if platform.system() == "Darwin":  # macOS
+    import pyinstaller_versionfile
    import tempfile
-	exe = EXE(
+    version_file_path = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), 'versionfile.txt')
 		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(
+    pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
-		exe,
+        output_file=version_file_path,
-		a.binaries,
+        version=APP_VERSION,
-		a.datas,
+        company_name=APP_AUTHOR,
-		strip=True,
+        file_description=APP_NAME,
-		name=f"{APP_NAME}.app",
+        internal_name=APP_NAME,
-		icon="resources/Server.png",
+        legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
-		bundle_identifier=None,
+        original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
-		version=APP_VERSION,
+        product_name=APP_NAME
-	)
+    )
-elif platform.system() == "Windows":
+    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
    )
-	import pyinstaller_versionfile
+else:  # linux / macOS
-	import tempfile
+    exe = EXE(
-
+        pyz,
-	version_file_path = os.path.join(
+        a.scripts,
-		tempfile.gettempdir(), "versionfile.txt"
+        a.binaries,
-	)
+        a.datas,
-
+        [],
-	pyinstaller_versionfile.create_versionfile(
+        name=APP_NAME,
-		output_file=version_file_path,
+        debug=False,
-		version=APP_VERSION,
+        bootloader_ignore_signals=False,
-		company_name=APP_AUTHOR,
+        strip=True,
-		file_description=APP_NAME,
+        upx=True,
-		internal_name=APP_NAME,
+        console=False,
-		legal_copyright=f"© {APP_AUTHOR}",
+        disable_windowed_traceback=False,
-		original_filename=f"{APP_NAME}.exe",
+        argv_emulation=False,
-		product_name=APP_NAME,
+        target_arch=None,
-	)
+        codesign_identity=None,
-
+        entitlements_file=None
-	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,
 	)
--- a/src/api/api_server.py
+++ b/src/api/api_server.py
@@ -2,15 +2,14 @@
 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
@@ -24,7 +23,7 @@ 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 current_system_os, current_system_cpu, \
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import system_safe_path, 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
@@ -35,7 +34,7 @@ ssl._create_default_https_context = ssl._create_unverified_context  # disable SS
 API_VERSION = "0.1"
-def start_api_server(hostname: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
+def start_api_server(hostname=None):
    # get hostname
    if not hostname:
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@ def start_api_server(hostname: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
    # load flask settings
    server.config['HOSTNAME'] = hostname
    server.config['PORT'] = int(Config.port_number)
-    server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'] = str(Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser())
+    server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'] = system_safe_path(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder))
    server.config['MAX_CONTENT_PATH'] = Config.max_content_path
    server.config['enable_split_jobs'] = Config.enable_split_jobs
@@ -66,7 +65,7 @@ def start_api_server(hostname: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
 # --------------------------------------------
@server.get('/api/jobs')
-def jobs_json() -> Dict[str, Any]:
+def jobs_json():
    """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,
@@ -135,9 +134,9 @@ 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 = Path(found_job.log_path())
+    log_path = system_safe_path(found_job.log_path())
    log_data = None
-    if log_path and log_path.exists():
+    if log_path and os.path.exists(log_path):
        with open(log_path) as file:
            log_data = file.read()
    return Response(log_data, mimetype='text/plain')
@@ -145,21 +144,20 @@ def get_job_logs(job_id):
@server.get('/api/job/<job_id>/file_list')
 def get_file_list(job_id):
-	return [Path(p).name for p in RenderQueue.job_with_id(job_id).file_list()]
+    return [os.path.basename(x) for x 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():
-    for job_file in found_job.file_list():
+        if os.path.basename(job_filename).lower() == requested_filename.lower():
-        p = Path(job_file)
+            return send_file(job_filename, as_attachment=True, )
        if p.name.lower() == requested_filename.lower():
            return send_file(str(p), as_attachment=True)
    return f"File '{requested_filename}' not found", 404
@@ -170,27 +168,26 @@ def download_all_files(job_id):
    @after_this_request
    def clear_zip(response):
-        if zip_filename and zip_filename.exists():
+        if zip_filename and os.path.exists(zip_filename):
            try:
-                zip_filename.unlink()
+                os.remove(zip_filename)
            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)
-    output_dir = Path(found_job.output_path).parent
+    if os.path.exists(output_dir):
-    if not output_dir.exists():
+        from zipfile import ZipFile
-        return f"Cannot find project files for job {job_id}", 500
+        zip_filename = system_safe_path(os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(),
-
+                                                     pathlib.Path(found_job.input_path).stem + '.zip'))
-    zip_filename = Path(tempfile.gettempdir()) / f"{Path(found_job.input_path).stem}.zip"
+        with ZipFile(zip_filename, 'w') as zipObj:
-    from zipfile import ZipFile
+            for f in os.listdir(output_dir):
-    with ZipFile(zip_filename, "w") as zipObj:
+                zipObj.write(filename=system_safe_path(os.path.join(output_dir, f)),
-        for f in output_dir.iterdir():
+                             arcname=os.path.basename(f))
-            if f.is_file():
+        return send_file(zip_filename, mimetype="zip", as_attachment=True, )
-                zipObj.write(f, arcname=f.name)
+    else:
-
+        return f'Cannot find project files for job {job_id}', 500
    return send_file(str(zip_filename), mimetype="zip", as_attachment=True)
 # --------------------------------------------
@@ -198,8 +195,8 @@ def download_all_files(job_id):
 # --------------------------------------------
@server.get('/api/presets')
-def presets() -> Dict[str, Any]:
+def presets():
-    presets_path = Path('config/presets.yaml')
+    presets_path = system_safe_path('config/presets.yaml')
    with open(presets_path) as f:
        loaded_presets = yaml.load(f, Loader=yaml.FullLoader)
    return loaded_presets
@@ -295,12 +292,30 @@ def add_job_handler():
        err_msg = f"Error processing job data: {e}"
        return err_msg, 400
    except Exception as 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)
+        loaded_project_local_path = processed_job_data['__loaded_project_local_path']
        created_jobs = []
        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)
                child_job = DistributedJobManager.create_render_job(processed_child_job_data, loaded_project_local_path)
                created_jobs.append(child_job)
        else:
            new_job = DistributedJobManager.create_render_job(processed_job_data, loaded_project_local_path)
            created_jobs.append(new_job)
        # Save notes to .txt
        if processed_job_data.get("notes"):
            parent_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(loaded_project_local_path))
            notes_name = processed_job_data['name'] + "-notes.txt"
            with open(os.path.join(parent_dir, notes_name), "w") as f:
                f.write(processed_job_data["notes"])
        return [x.json() for x in created_jobs]
    except Exception as e:
        logger.exception(f"Error creating render job: {e}")
    return 'unknown error', 500
@@ -323,18 +338,13 @@ 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):
+        if not request.args.get('confirm', False):
-            return "Confirmation required to delete job", 400
+            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))
-        input_path = Path(found_job.input_path)
+        output_dir = os.path.dirname(found_job.output_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:
@@ -342,24 +352,25 @@ 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 output directory if we own it
+        # delete the output_dir
-        if output_dir.exists() and output_dir.is_relative_to(upload_root):
+        if server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'] in output_dir and os.path.exists(output_dir):
            shutil.rmtree(output_dir)
-        # Delete project directory if we own it and it's unused
+        # See if we own the project_dir (i.e. was it uploaded) - if so delete the directory
        try:
-            if project_dir.exists() and project_dir.is_relative_to(upload_root):
+            if server.config['UPLOAD_FOLDER'] in project_dir and os.path.exists(project_dir):
-                project_dir_files = [p for p in project_dir.iterdir() if not p.name.startswith(".")]
+                # check to see if any other projects are sharing the same project file
-                if not project_dir_files or (len(project_dir_files) == 1 and "source" in project_dir_files[0].name):
+                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]):
                    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
@@ -369,26 +380,6 @@ 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')
@@ -428,7 +419,6 @@ def engine_info():
            return result
        except Exception as e:
            traceback.print_exc(e)
            logger.error(f"Error fetching details for engine '{engine.name()}': {e}")
            return {}
@@ -444,40 +434,6 @@ 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),
@@ -486,27 +442,6 @@ def is_engine_available(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'),
@@ -547,6 +482,24 @@ 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:
 # --------------------------------------------
@@ -621,18 +574,8 @@ 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
--- a/src/api/job_import_handler.py
+++ b/src/api/job_import_handler.py
@@ -5,77 +5,18 @@ 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]:
+    def validate_job_data(cls, new_job_data, upload_directory, uploaded_file=None):
        """ 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
@@ -83,7 +24,7 @@ class JobImportHandler:
        engine_name = new_job_data.get('engine_name')
        if not job_name:
            raise KeyError("Missing job name")
-        if not engine_name:
+        elif not engine_name:
            raise KeyError("Missing engine name")
        project_url = new_job_data.get('url', None)
@@ -103,33 +44,27 @@ class JobImportHandler:
        # 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 = os.path.join(upload_directory, '-'.join(
-        job_dir = Path(upload_directory) / folder_name
+            [cleaned_path_name, engine_name, datetime.now().strftime("%Y.%m.%d_%H.%M.%S")]))
        os.makedirs(job_dir, exist_ok=True)
-        project_source_dir = Path(job_dir) / 'source'
+        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_file and uploaded_file.filename:
-            # Handle file uploading
+            loaded_project_local_path = os.path.join(project_source_dir, secure_filename(uploaded_file.filename))
-            filename = secure_filename(uploaded_file.filename)
+            uploaded_file.save(loaded_project_local_path)
-            loaded_project_local_path = Path(project_source_dir) / filename
+            logger.info(f"Transfer complete for {loaded_project_local_path.split(upload_directory)[-1]}")
            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 = os.path.join(project_source_dir, referred_name)
-            loaded_project_local_path = Path(project_source_dir) / referred_name
+            shutil.move(downloaded_file_url, loaded_project_local_path)
-            shutil.move(str(downloaded_file_url), str(loaded_project_local_path))
+            logger.info(f"Download complete for {loaded_project_local_path.split(upload_directory)[-1]}")
            logger.info(f"Download complete for {loaded_project_local_path.relative_to(upload_directory)}")
        elif local_path:
-            # Handle local files
+            loaded_project_local_path = os.path.join(project_source_dir, referred_name)
-            loaded_project_local_path = Path(project_source_dir) / referred_name
+            shutil.copy(local_path, loaded_project_local_path)
-            shutil.copy(str(local_path), str(loaded_project_local_path))
+            logger.info(f"Import complete for {loaded_project_local_path.split(upload_directory)[-1]}")
            logger.info(f"Import complete for {loaded_project_local_path.relative_to(upload_directory)}")
-        if loaded_project_local_path.suffix == ".zip":
+        if loaded_project_local_path.lower().endswith('.zip'):
            loaded_project_local_path = cls.process_zipped_project(loaded_project_local_path)
        new_job_data["__loaded_project_local_path"] = loaded_project_local_path
@@ -137,25 +72,13 @@ class JobImportHandler:
        return new_job_data
    @staticmethod
-    def download_project_from_url(project_url: str):
+    def download_project_from_url(project_url):
        """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)
+            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))
@@ -178,29 +101,30 @@ class JobImportHandler:
        return None, None
    @staticmethod
-    def process_zipped_project(zip_path: Path) -> Path:
+    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
+        This method takes a path to a zip file, extracts its contents, and returns the path to the extracted project file.
-        file. If the zip file contains more than one project file or none, an error is raised.
+        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.
+            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:
-            Path: The path to the main project file.
+            str: The path to the main project file.
        """
-        work_path = zip_path.parent
+        work_path = os.path.dirname(zip_path)
        try:
            with zipfile.ZipFile(zip_path, 'r') as myzip:
-                myzip.extractall(str(work_path))
+                myzip.extractall(work_path)
-            project_files = [p for p in work_path.iterdir() if p.is_file() and p.suffix.lower() != ".zip"]
+            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}")
@@ -210,12 +134,12 @@ class JobImportHandler:
            # 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}')
+                raise ValueError(f'Cannot find a valid project file in {os.path.basename(zip_path)}')
-            extracted_project_path = work_path / project_files[0]
+            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}') from e
+            raise ValueError(f"Error processing zip file: {e}")
        return extracted_project_path
--- a/src/api/preview_manager.py
+++ b/src/api/preview_manager.py
@@ -12,20 +12,12 @@ 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()
@@ -75,36 +67,20 @@ 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}')
-            return
+        else:
-
+            job_thread = threading.Thread(target=cls.__generate_job_preview_worker, args=(job, replace_existing,))
-        job_thread = threading.Thread(target=cls.__generate_job_preview_worker, args=(job, replace_existing,))
+            job_thread.start()
-        job_thread.start()
+            cls._running_jobs[job.id] = job_thread
        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)
@@ -127,11 +103,6 @@ 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:
--- a/src/api/server_proxy.py
+++ b/src/api/server_proxy.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import logging
 import os
 import threading
 import time
 from pathlib import Path
 import requests
 from requests_toolbelt.multipart import MultipartEncoder, MultipartEncoderMonitor
@@ -185,12 +184,12 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
    # Job Lifecycle:
    # --------------------------------------------
-    def post_job_to_server(self, file_path: Path, job_data, callback=None):
+    def post_job_to_server(self, file_path, job_data, callback=None):
        """
        Posts a job to the server.
        Args:
-            file_path (Path): The path to the file to upload.
+            file_path (str): 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.
@@ -198,12 +197,12 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
            Response: The response from the server.
        """
        # Check if file exists
-        if not file_path.exists():
+        if not os.path.exists(file_path):
            raise FileNotFoundError(f"File not found: {file_path}")
        # Bypass uploading file if posting to localhost
        if self.is_localhost:
-            job_data['local_path'] = str(file_path)
+            job_data['local_path'] = 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)
@@ -211,7 +210,7 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
        # Prepare the form data for remote host
        with open(file_path, 'rb') as file:
            encoder = MultipartEncoder({
-                'file': (file_path.name, file, 'application/octet-stream'),
+                'file': (os.path.basename(file_path), file, 'application/octet-stream'),
                'json': (None, json.dumps(job_data), 'application/json'),
            })
@@ -248,19 +247,16 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
    # Engines:
    # --------------------------------------------
-    def get_engine_for_filename(self, filename:str, timeout=5):
+    def is_engine_available(self, engine_name):
-        response = self.request(f'engine_for_filename?filename={os.path.basename(filename)}', timeout)
+        return self.request_data(f'{engine_name}/is_available')
        return response.text
-    def get_installed_engines(self, timeout=5):
+    def get_all_engines(self):
-        return self.request_data(f'installed_engines', timeout)
+        # todo: this doesnt work
        return self.request_data('all_engines')
-    def is_engine_available(self, engine_name:str, timeout=5):
+    def get_engine_info(self, response_type='standard', timeout=5):
        return self.request_data(f'{engine_name}/is_available', timeout)
    def get_all_engine_info(self, response_type='standard', timeout=5):
        """
-        Fetches all engine information from the server.
+        Fetches engine information from the server.
        Args:
            response_type (str, optional): Returns standard or full version of engine info
@@ -272,33 +268,19 @@ class RenderServerProxy:
        all_data = self.request_data(f"engine_info?response_type={response_type}", timeout=timeout)
        return all_data
-    def get_engine_info(self, engine_name:str, response_type='standard', timeout=5):
+    def delete_engine(self, engine, version, system_cpu=None):
        """
        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_name (str): The name of the engine to delete.
+            engine (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_name, 'version': version, 'system_cpu': system_cpu}
+        form_data = {'engine': engine, 'version': version, 'system_cpu': system_cpu}
        return requests.post(f'http://{self.hostname}:{self.port}/api/delete_engine', json=form_data)
    # --------------------------------------------
--- a/src/distributed_job_manager.py
+++ b/src/distributed_job_manager.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import socket
 import threading
 import time
 from click import Path
 from plyer import notification
 from pubsub import pub
@@ -71,7 +70,7 @@ 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: str, old_status: str, new_status: str):
+    def __local_job_status_changed(cls, job_id, old_status, new_status):
        """
        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.
@@ -130,13 +129,13 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
    # --------------------------------------------
    @classmethod
-    def create_render_job(cls, new_job_attributes: dict, loaded_project_local_path: Path):
+    def create_render_job(cls, new_job_attributes, loaded_project_local_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 (Path): The local path to the loaded project.
+            loaded_project_local_path (str): The local path to the loaded project.
        Returns:
            worker: Created job worker
@@ -144,11 +143,15 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
        # get new output path in output_dir
        output_path = new_job_attributes.get('output_path')
-        output_filename = loaded_project_local_path.name if output_path else loaded_project_local_path.stem
+        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)
        # Prepare output path
-        output_dir = loaded_project_local_path.parent.parent / "output"
+        output_dir = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(loaded_project_local_path)), 'output')
-        output_path = output_dir / output_filename
+        output_path = os.path.join(output_dir, output_filename)
        os.makedirs(output_dir, exist_ok=True)
        logger.debug(f"New job output path: {output_path}")
@@ -183,7 +186,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
    # --------------------------------------------
    @classmethod
-    def handle_subjob_update_notification(cls, local_job, subjob_data: dict):
+    def handle_subjob_update_notification(cls, local_job, subjob_data):
        """Responds to a notification from a remote subjob and the host requests any subsequent updates from the subjob.
        Args:
@@ -344,7 +347,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
            RenderServerProxy(parent_worker.hostname).cancel_job(parent_worker.id, confirm=True)
    @staticmethod
-    def __create_subjob(new_job_attributes: dict, project_path, server_data, server_hostname: str, parent_worker):
+    def __create_subjob(new_job_attributes, project_path, server_data, server_hostname, 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]}]"
@@ -363,7 +366,7 @@ class DistributedJobManager:
    # --------------------------------------------
    @staticmethod
-    def find_available_servers(engine_name: str, system_os=None):
+    def find_available_servers(engine_name, system_os=None):
        """
        Scan the Zeroconf network for currently available render servers supporting a specific engine.
@@ -372,16 +375,16 @@ 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
-        found_available_servers = []
+        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):
-                        found_available_servers.append(response)
+                        available_servers.append(response)
-        return found_available_servers
+        return available_servers
 if __name__ == '__main__':
--- a/src/engines/blender/blender_engine.py
+++ b/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()
@@ -24,12 +24,10 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
        from src.engines.blender.blender_worker import BlenderRenderWorker
        return BlenderRenderWorker
-    def ui_options(self):
+    @staticmethod
-        options = [
+    def ui_options(system_info):
-            {'name': 'engine', 'options': self.supported_render_engines()},
+        from src.engines.blender.blender_ui import BlenderUI
-            {'name': 'render_device', 'options': ['Any', 'GPU', 'CPU']},
+        return BlenderUI.get_options(system_info)
        ]
        return options
    def supported_extensions(self):
        return ['blend']
@@ -89,7 +87,7 @@ 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=Path(script_path),
+            results = self.run_python_script(project_path=project_path, script_path=system_safe_path(script_path),
                                             timeout=timeout)
            result_text = results.stdout.decode()
            for line in result_text.splitlines():
@@ -110,7 +108,7 @@ 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=Path(script_path),
+            results = self.run_python_script(project_path=project_path, script_path=system_safe_path(script_path),
                                             timeout=timeout)
            result_text = results.stdout.decode()
@@ -182,7 +180,7 @@ class Blender(BaseRenderEngine):
            logger.error("GPU data not found in the output.")
    def supported_render_engines(self):
-        engine_output = subprocess.run([self.engine_path(), '-b', '-E', 'help'], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT,
+        engine_output = subprocess.run([self.engine_path(), '-E', 'help'], timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT,
                                       capture_output=True, creationflags=_creationflags).stdout.decode('utf-8').strip()
        render_engines = [x.strip() for x in engine_output.split('Blender Engine Listing:')[-1].strip().splitlines()]
        return render_engines
--- a/src/engines/blender/blender_ui.py
+++ b/src/engines/blender/blender_ui.py
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
 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
--- a/src/engines/blender/scripts/get_system_info.py
+++ b/src/engines/blender/scripts/get_system_info.py
@@ -1,10 +1,6 @@
 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()
--- a/src/engines/core/base_engine.py
+++ b/src/engines/core/base_engine.py
@@ -2,10 +2,9 @@ import logging
 import os
 import platform
 import subprocess
 from typing import Optional, List, Dict, Any, Type
 logger = logging.getLogger()
-SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT = 10
+SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT = 5
 class BaseRenderEngine(object):
@@ -18,23 +17,14 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
        executable on different operating systems or environments.
    """
-    install_paths: List[str] = []
+    install_paths = []
    binary_names: Dict[str, str] = {}
    # --------------------------------------------
    # Required Overrides for Subclasses:
    # --------------------------------------------
-    def __init__(self, custom_path: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, custom_path=None):
-        """Initialize the render engine.
+        self.custom_engine_path = custom_path
        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()}")
@@ -42,7 +32,7 @@ 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) -> str:
+    def version(self):
        """Return the version number as a string.
        Returns:
@@ -53,7 +43,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
        """
        raise NotImplementedError(f"version not implemented for {self.__class__.__name__}")
-    def get_project_info(self, project_path: str, timeout: int = 10) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    def get_project_info(self, project_path, timeout=10):
        """Extracts detailed project information from the given project path.
        Args:
@@ -69,7 +59,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
        raise NotImplementedError(f"get_project_info not implemented for {self.__class__.__name__}")
    @classmethod
-    def get_output_formats(cls) -> List[str]:
+    def get_output_formats(cls):
        """Returns a list of available output formats supported by the engine.
        Returns:
@@ -78,22 +68,21 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
        raise NotImplementedError(f"get_output_formats not implemented for {cls.__name__}")
    @staticmethod
-    def worker_class() -> Type[Any]:  # override when subclassing to link worker class
+    def worker_class():  # override when subclassing to link worker class
        raise NotImplementedError("Worker class not implemented")
    # --------------------------------------------
    # Optional Overrides for Subclasses:
    # --------------------------------------------
-    def supported_extensions(self) -> List[str]:
+    def supported_extensions(self):
-        """Return a list of file extensions supported by this engine.
+        """
        Returns:
-            List[str]: List of supported file extensions (e.g., ['.blend', '.mp4']).
+            list[str]: list of supported extensions
        """
        return []
-    def get_help(self) -> str:
+    def get_help(self):
        """Retrieves the help documentation for the engine.
        This method runs the engine's help command (default: '-h') and captures the output.
@@ -113,7 +102,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
                                           timeout=SUBPROCESS_TIMEOUT, creationflags=creationflags).decode('utf-8')
        return help_doc
-    def system_info(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    def system_info(self):
        """Return additional information about the system specfic to the engine (configured GPUs, render engines, etc)
        Returns:
@@ -121,7 +110,7 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
        """
        return {}
-    def perform_presubmission_tasks(self, project_path: str) -> str:
+    def perform_presubmission_tasks(self, project_path):
        """Perform any pre-submission tasks on a project file before uploading it to a server (pack textures, etc.)
        Override this method to:
@@ -137,60 +126,31 @@ class BaseRenderEngine(object):
        """
        return project_path
-    def get_arguments(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    def get_arguments(self):
-        """Return command-line arguments for this engine.
+        pass
        Returns:
            Dict[str, Any]: Dictionary of argument specifications.
        """
        return {}
    @staticmethod
-    def downloader() -> Optional[Any]:
+    def downloader():  # override when subclassing if using a downloader class
        """Return the downloader class for this engine.
        Returns:
            Optional[Any]: Downloader class instance, or None if no downloader is used.
        """
        return None
-    def ui_options(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    @staticmethod
-        """Return UI configuration options for this engine.
+    def ui_options(system_info):  # override to return options for ui
        Returns:
            Dict[str, Any]: Dictionary of UI options and their configurations.
        """
        return {}
    # --------------------------------------------
    # Do Not Override These Methods:
    # --------------------------------------------
-    def engine_path(self) -> Optional[str]:
+    def engine_path(self):
        """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) -> str:
+    def name(cls):
        """Return the name of this engine.
        Returns:
            str: Engine name in lowercase.
        """
        return str(cls.__name__).lower()
    @classmethod
-    def default_engine_path(cls) -> Optional[str]:
+    def default_engine_path(cls):
-        """Find the default path to the engine executable.
+        path = None
        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):
--- a/src/engines/core/base_worker.py
+++ b/src/engines/core/base_worker.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import subprocess
 import threading
 import time
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Optional, Dict, Any, List, Union
 import psutil
 from pubsub import pub
@@ -50,25 +49,9 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
    # Required Overrides for Subclasses:
    # --------------------------------------------
-    def __init__(self, input_path: str, output_path: str, engine_path: str, priority: int = 2,
+    def __init__(self, input_path, output_path, engine_path, priority=2, args=None, ignore_extensions=True, parent=None,
-                 args: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None, ignore_extensions: bool = True,
+                 name=None):
                 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()}'"
@@ -78,7 +61,6 @@ 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]
@@ -121,15 +103,15 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
        self.__last_output_time = None
        self.watchdog_timeout = 120
-    def generate_worker_subprocess(self) -> List[str]:
+    def generate_worker_subprocess(self):
        """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: str) -> None:
+    def _parse_stdout(self, line):
        """Parses a line of standard output from the engine.
        This method should be overridden in a subclass to implement the logic for processing
@@ -151,18 +133,13 @@ class BaseRenderWorker(Base):
    # Optional Overrides for Subclasses:
    # --------------------------------------------
-    def percent_complete(self) -> float:
+    def percent_complete(self):
        """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) -> None:
+    def post_processing(self):
        """Override to perform any engine-specific postprocessing"""
        pass
@@ -171,11 +148,6 @@ 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
@@ -204,14 +176,6 @@ 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('-')]
@@ -222,11 +186,6 @@ 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:
@@ -235,20 +194,12 @@ 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
@@ -478,33 +429,17 @@ 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
@@ -522,19 +457,9 @@ 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 = [
@@ -548,11 +473,6 @@ 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,
@@ -582,10 +502,8 @@ 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)
@@ -593,15 +511,6 @@ 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
--- a/src/engines/engine_manager.py
+++ b/src/engines/engine_manager.py
@@ -3,101 +3,58 @@ 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 current_system_os, current_system_cpu
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import system_safe_path, current_system_os, current_system_cpu
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 ENGINE_CLASSES = [Blender, FFMPEG]
 class EngineManager:
    """Class that manages different versions of installed render engines and handles fetching and downloading new versions,
    if possible.
    """
-    engines_path: Optional[str] = None
+    engines_path = None
-    download_tasks: List[Any] = []
+    download_tasks = []
    @staticmethod
-    def supported_engines() -> list[type[BaseRenderEngine]]:
+    def supported_engines():
        """Return list of supported engine classes.
        Returns:
            List[Type[BaseRenderEngine]]: List of available engine classes.
        """
        return ENGINE_CLASSES
    # --- Installed Engines ---
    @classmethod
-    def engine_class_for_project_path(cls, path: str) -> Type[BaseRenderEngine]:
+    def engine_for_project_path(cls, path):
        """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
+                return engine
        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 engine_class_with_name(cls, engine_name: str) -> Optional[Type[BaseRenderEngine]]:
+    def engine_with_name(cls, engine_name):
        """Find engine class by 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 get_latest_engine_instance(cls, engine_class: Type[BaseRenderEngine]) -> BaseRenderEngine:
+    def get_latest_engine_instance(cls, engine_class):
        """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_installed_engine_data(cls, filter_name: Optional[str] = None, include_corrupt: bool = False,
+    def get_installed_engine_data(cls, filter_name=None, include_corrupt=False, ignore_system=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")
@@ -118,13 +75,15 @@ 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_class_with_name(result_dict['engine'])
+                eng = cls.engine_with_name(result_dict['engine'])
                binary_name = eng.binary_names.get(result_dict['system_os'], binary_name)
                # Find the path to the binary file
-                search_root = Path(cls.engines_path) / directory
+                path = next(
-                match = next((p for p in search_root.rglob(binary_name) if p.is_file()), None)
+                    (os.path.join(root, binary_name) for root, _, files in
-                path = str(match) if match else None
+                     os.walk(system_safe_path(os.path.join(cls.engines_path, directory))) if binary_name in files),
                    None
                )
                result_dict['path'] = path
                # fetch version number from binary - helps detect corrupted downloads - disabled due to perf issues
@@ -174,8 +133,7 @@ class EngineManager:
    # --- Check for Updates ---
    @classmethod
-    def update_all_engines(cls) -> None:
+    def update_all_engines(cls):
        """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:
@@ -183,34 +141,13 @@ class EngineManager:
                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:
+    def all_version_data_for_engine(cls, engine_name, include_corrupt=False, ignore_system=False):
        """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_installed_engine_data(cls, engine_name:str, system_os=None, cpu=None, ignore_system=None) -> list:
+    def newest_installed_engine_data(cls, engine_name, system_os=None, cpu=None, ignore_system=None):
        """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()
@@ -220,49 +157,37 @@ class EngineManager:
            return filtered[0]
        except IndexError:
            logger.error(f"Cannot find newest engine version for {engine_name}-{system_os}-{cpu}")
-        return []
+        return None
    @classmethod
-    def is_version_installed(cls, engine_name:str, version:str, system_os=None, cpu=None, ignore_system=False):
+    def is_version_installed(cls, engine, version, 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_installed_engine_data(filter_name=engine_name, ignore_system=ignore_system) if
+        filtered = [x for x in cls.get_installed_engine_data(filter_name=engine, 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_name:str, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
+    def version_is_available_to_download(cls, engine, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
        try:
-            downloader = cls.engine_class_with_name(engine_name).downloader()
+            downloader = cls.engine_with_name(engine).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_name:str, system_os=None, cpu=None, lts_only=False) -> dict:
+    def find_most_recent_version(cls, engine=None, system_os=None, cpu=None, lts_only=False):
        try:
-            downloader = cls.engine_class_with_name(engine_name).downloader()
+            downloader = cls.engine_with_name(engine).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 {}
+            return None
    @classmethod
-    def is_engine_update_available(cls, engine_class: Type[BaseRenderEngine], ignore_system_installs=False):
+    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()
@@ -281,31 +206,26 @@ class EngineManager:
    @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):
+    def get_existing_download_task(cls, engine, 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_name == task_engine and version == task_version:
+            if engine == 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_name, version, system_os=None, cpu=None, background=False, ignore_system=False):
+    def download_engine(cls, engine, version, system_os=None, cpu=None, background=False, ignore_system=False):
-        engine_to_download = cls.engine_class_with_name(engine_name)
+        engine_to_download = cls.engine_with_name(engine)
-        existing_task = cls.get_existing_download_task(engine_name, version, system_os, cpu)
+        existing_task = cls.get_existing_download_task(engine, version, system_os, cpu)
        if existing_task:
-            logger.debug(f"Already downloading {engine_name} {version}")
+            logger.debug(f"Already downloading {engine} {version}")
            if not background:
                existing_task.join()  # If download task exists, wait until it's done downloading
            return None
@@ -315,7 +235,7 @@ class EngineManager:
        elif not cls.engines_path:
            raise FileNotFoundError("Engines path must be set before requesting downloads")
-        thread = EngineDownloadWorker(engine_name, version, system_os, cpu)
+        thread = EngineDownloadWorker(engine, version, system_os, cpu)
        cls.download_tasks.append(thread)
        thread.start()
@@ -323,72 +243,41 @@ class EngineManager:
            return thread
        thread.join()
-        found_engine = cls.is_version_installed(engine_name, version, system_os, cpu, ignore_system)  # Check that engine downloaded
+        found_engine = cls.is_version_installed(engine, version, system_os, cpu, ignore_system)  # Check that engine downloaded
        if not found_engine:
-            logger.error(f"Error downloading {engine_name}")
+            logger.error(f"Error downloading {engine}")
        return found_engine
    @classmethod
-    def delete_engine_download(cls, engine_name, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
+    def delete_engine_download(cls, engine, version, system_os=None, cpu=None):
-        logger.info(f"Requested deletion of engine: {engine_name}-{version}")
+        logger.info(f"Requested deletion of engine: {engine}-{version}")
-        found = cls.is_version_installed(engine_name, version, system_os, cpu)
+        found = cls.is_version_installed(engine, 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_name, version, found['system_os'], found['cpu']])
+            root_dir_name = '-'.join([engine, 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_name}-{version}-{found['system_os']}-{found['cpu']} successfully deleted")
+            logger.info(f"Engine {engine}-{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_name} {version}. Managed externally.')
+            logger.error(f'Cannot delete requested {engine} {version}. Managed externally.')
        else:
-            logger.error(f"Cannot find engine: {engine_name}-{version}")
+            logger.error(f"Cannot find engine: {engine}-{version}")
        return False
    # --- Background Tasks ---
    @classmethod
    def active_downloads(cls) -> list:
        """Get list of currently active download tasks.
        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):
+    def create_worker(cls, engine_name, input_path, output_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,
+        worker_class = cls.engine_with_name(engine_name).worker_class()
        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_version_data_for_engine(engine_name)
@@ -417,7 +306,7 @@ class EngineManager:
        if not engine_path:
            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Cannot find requested engine version {engine_version}")
-        return worker_class(input_path=str(input_path), output_path=str(output_path), engine_path=engine_path, args=args,
+        return worker_class(input_path=input_path, output_path=output_path, engine_path=engine_path, args=args,
                            parent=parent, name=name)
@@ -434,14 +323,6 @@ 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
@@ -450,35 +331,25 @@ 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):
+    def run(self):
-    """Execute the download process.
+        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
-    Checks if engine version already exists, then downloads if not found.
+            # Get the appropriate downloader class based on the engine type
-    Handles cleanup and error reporting.
+            downloader = EngineManager.engine_with_name(self.engine).downloader()
-    """
+            downloader.download_engine( self.version, download_location=EngineManager.engines_path,
-    try:
+                                        system_os=self.system_os, cpu=self.cpu, timeout=300, progress_callback=self._update_progress)
-        existing_download = EngineManager.is_version_installed(self.engine, self.version, self.system_os, self.cpu,
+        except Exception as e:
-                                                               ignore_system=True)
+            logger.error(f"Error in download worker: {e}")
-        if existing_download:
+        finally:
-            logger.info(f"Requested download of {self.engine} {self.version}, but local copy already exists")
+            # remove itself from the downloader list
-            return existing_download
+            EngineManager.download_tasks.remove(self)
        # 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__':
--- a/src/engines/ffmpeg/ffmpeg_engine.py
+++ b/src/engines/ffmpeg/ffmpeg_engine.py
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ class FFMPEG(BaseRenderEngine):
        from src.engines.ffmpeg.ffmpeg_worker import FFMPEGRenderWorker
        return FFMPEGRenderWorker
-    def ui_options(self):
+    @staticmethod
-        return []
+    def ui_options(system_info):
        from src.engines.ffmpeg.ffmpeg_ui import FFMPEGUI
        return FFMPEGUI.get_options(system_info)
    def supported_extensions(self):
        help_text = (subprocess.check_output([self.engine_path(), '-h', 'full'], stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
--- a/src/engines/ffmpeg/ffmpeg_ui.py
+++ b/src/engines/ffmpeg/ffmpeg_ui.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
 class FFMPEGUI:
    @staticmethod
    def get_options(system_info):
        options = []
        return options
--- a/src/render_queue.py
+++ b/src/render_queue.py
@@ -1,36 +1,34 @@
 import logging
-from collections import Counter
+import os
 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, BaseRenderWorker
+from src.engines.core.base_worker import Base
 from src.utilities.status_utils import RenderStatus
 logger = logging.getLogger()
 class JobNotFoundError(Exception):
-    def __init__(self, job_id: str, *args: Any) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, job_id, *args):
        super().__init__(args)
        self.job_id = job_id
-    def __str__(self) -> str:
+    def __str__(self):
        return f"Cannot find job with ID: {self.job_id}"
 class RenderQueue:
-    engine: Optional[create_engine] = None
+    engine = None
-    session: Optional[sessionmaker] = None
+    session = None
-    job_queue: List[BaseRenderWorker] = []
+    job_queue = []
-    maximum_renderer_instances: Dict[str, int] = {'blender': 1, 'aerender': 1, 'ffmpeg': 4}
+    maximum_renderer_instances = {'blender': 1, 'aerender': 1, 'ffmpeg': 4}
-    last_saved_counts: Dict[str, int] = {}
+    last_saved_counts = {}
-    is_running: bool = False
+    is_running = False
    # --------------------------------------------
    # Render Queue Evaluation:
@@ -118,11 +116,12 @@ class RenderQueue:
    # --------------------------------------------
    @classmethod
-    def load_state(cls, database_directory: Path):
+    def load_state(cls, database_directory):
        if not cls.engine:
-            cls.engine = create_engine(f"sqlite:///{database_directory / 'database.db'}")
+            cls.engine = create_engine(f"sqlite:///{os.path.join(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')
@@ -135,7 +134,7 @@ 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()
@@ -145,6 +144,7 @@ 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)
--- a/src/ui/add_job_window.py
+++ b/src/ui/add_job_window.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import os.path
 import socket
 from pathlib import Path
 import psutil
 from PyQt6.QtCore import QThread, pyqtSignal, Qt, pyqtSlot
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@ from PyQt6.QtWidgets import (
 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
 from src.utilities.misc_helper import COMMON_RESOLUTIONS
 from utilities.misc_helper import COMMON_FRAME_RATES
 class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
@@ -62,15 +63,19 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        # 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):
@@ -102,8 +107,6 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        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
@@ -190,7 +193,7 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        resolution_group.setLayout(resolution_group_layout)
        # Resolution
-        resolution_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        resolution_layout = QHBoxLayout(resolution_group)
        self.resolution_options_list = QComboBox()
        self.resolution_options_list.setFixedWidth(200)
        self.resolution_options_list.addItem("Original Size")
@@ -212,7 +215,7 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        resolution_layout.addWidget(self.resolution_y_input)
        resolution_layout.addStretch()
-        fps_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        fps_layout = QHBoxLayout(resolution_group)
        self.fps_options_list = QComboBox()
        self.fps_options_list.setFixedWidth(200)
        self.fps_options_list.addItem("Original FPS")
@@ -239,7 +242,12 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        engine_group_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.engine_group)
        engine_layout = QHBoxLayout()
-        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Engine Version:"))
+        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Engine:"))
        self.engine_type = QComboBox()
        self.engine_type.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.engine_changed)
        engine_layout.addWidget(self.engine_type)
        engine_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Version:"))
        self.engine_version_combo = QComboBox()
        self.engine_version_combo.addItem('latest')
        engine_layout.addWidget(self.engine_version_combo)
@@ -264,7 +272,6 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        self.cameras_group = QWidget()
        cameras_layout = QVBoxLayout(self.cameras_group)
        self.cameras_list = QListWidget()
        self.cameras_list.itemChanged.connect(self.update_job_count)
        cameras_layout.addWidget(self.cameras_list)
        # ==================== Tab 5: Misc / Notes ====================
@@ -304,21 +311,6 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        self.toggle_engine_enablement(False)
        self.tabs.setCurrentIndex(0)
    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:
@@ -335,6 +327,16 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        elif index == 0:
            self.fps_input.setValue(self.project_info.get('fps'))
    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 engine_changed(self):
        # load the version numbers
        current_engine = self.engine_type.currentText().lower() or self.engine_type.itemText(0)
@@ -342,13 +344,9 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        self.engine_version_combo.addItem('latest')
        self.file_format_combo.clear()
        if current_engine:
-            engine_info = self.server_proxy.get_engine_info(current_engine, 'full', timeout=10)
+            engine_vers = [version_info['version'] for version_info in self.engine_info[current_engine]['versions']]
            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(engine_info.get('supported_export_formats'))
+            self.file_format_combo.addItems(self.engine_info[current_engine]['supported_export_formats'])
    def update_server_list(self):
        clients = ZeroconfServer.found_hostnames()
@@ -367,14 +365,14 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
        self.process_label.setHidden(False)
        self.toggle_engine_enablement(False)
-        output_name = Path(self.scene_file_input.text()).stem.replace(' ', '_')
+        output_name, _ = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(self.scene_file_input.text()))
        output_name = output_name.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):
@@ -388,26 +386,14 @@ 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_class_for_project_path(input_path)
+            engine = EngineManager.engine_for_project_path(input_path)
            engine_index = self.engine_type.findText(engine.name().lower())
            if engine_index >= 0:
@@ -445,11 +431,11 @@ class NewRenderJobForm(QWidget):
                    self.cameras_list.item(0).setCheckState(Qt.CheckState.Checked)
            else:
                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
            self.current_engine_options = engine().ui_options()
            for option in self.current_engine_options:
                h_layout = QHBoxLayout()
                label = QLabel(option['name'].replace('_', ' ').capitalize() + ':')
@@ -599,16 +585,15 @@ class SubmitWorker(QThread):
                    children_jobs.append(child_job_data)
                job_json['child_jobs'] = children_jobs
-            # presubmission tasks - use local installs
+            # presubmission tasks
-            engine_class = EngineManager.engine_class_with_name(self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower())
+            engine = EngineManager.engine_with_name(self.window.engine_type.currentText().lower())
-            latest_engine = EngineManager.get_latest_engine_instance(engine_class)
+            input_path = engine().perform_presubmission_tasks(input_path)
            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_data=job_json,
                                                          callback=create_callback)
            if not (result and result.ok):
-                err_msg = f"Error posting job to server: {result.text}"
+                err_msg = f"Error posting job to server: {result.message}"
            self.message_signal.emit(err_msg)
@@ -620,7 +605,6 @@ 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__()
@@ -628,19 +612,9 @@ class GetProjectInfoWorker(QThread):
        self.project_path = project_path
    def run(self):
-        try:
+        engine = EngineManager.engine_for_project_path(self.project_path)
-            # get the engine info and add them all to the ui
+        self.window.project_info = engine().get_project_info(self.project_path)
-            self.window.installed_engines = self.window.server_proxy.get_installed_engines()
+        self.message_signal.emit()
            # 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):
--- a/src/ui/engine_browser.py
+++ b/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_all_engine_info()
+            raw_server_data = RenderServerProxy(self.hostname).get_engine_info()
            if not raw_server_data:
                return
--- a/src/ui/main_window.py
+++ b/src/ui/main_window.py
@@ -7,12 +7,11 @@ 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, pyqtSignal
+from PyQt6.QtCore import Qt, QByteArray, QBuffer, QIODevice, QThread
 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, \
@@ -53,12 +52,12 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
        super().__init__()
        # Load the queue
-        self.job_list_view: Optional[QTableWidget] = None
+        self.job_list_view = None
-        self.server_info_ram: Optional[str] = None
+        self.server_info_ram = None
-        self.server_info_cpu: Optional[str] = None
+        self.server_info_cpu = None
-        self.server_info_os: Optional[str] = None
+        self.server_info_os = None
-        self.server_info_gpu: Optional[List[Dict[str, Any]]] = None
+        self.server_info_gpu = None
-        self.server_info_hostname: Optional[str] = None
+        self.server_info_hostname = None
        self.engine_browser_window = None
        self.server_info_group = None
        self.current_hostname = None
@@ -100,10 +99,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
        self.create_toolbars()
        # start background update
-        self.found_servers = []
+        self.bg_update_thread = QThread()
-        self.job_data = {}
+        self.bg_update_thread.run = self.__background_update
        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
@@ -114,12 +111,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
        # Pick default job
        self.job_picked()
-    def setup_ui(self, main_layout: QVBoxLayout) -> None:
+    def setup_ui(self, main_layout):
        """Setup the main user interface layout.
        Args:
            main_layout: The main layout container for the UI widgets.
        """
        # Servers
        server_list_group = QGroupBox("Available Servers")
@@ -169,41 +161,45 @@ 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()
-        # Setup Job Headers
+        # Image Layout
-        self.job_list_view.setHorizontalHeaderLabels(["ID", "Name", "Engine", "Priority", "Status",
+        image_group = QGroupBox("Job Preview")
-                                                      "Time Elapsed", "Frames", "Date Created"])
+        image_layout = QVBoxLayout(image_group)
-        self.job_list_view.setColumnHidden(0, True)
+        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)
-        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(1, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.Stretch)
+        # Job Layout
-        self.job_list_view.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(2, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
+        job_list_group = QGroupBox("Render Jobs")
        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)
-        job_list_layout.addWidget(self.image_label)
+        image_layout.addWidget(self.job_list_view, stretch=True)
-        job_list_layout.addWidget(self.job_list_view, stretch=True)
+        image_layout.addLayout(job_list_layout)
        # Add them all to the window
        main_layout.addLayout(info_layout)
        right_layout = QVBoxLayout()
        right_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
-        right_layout.addWidget(job_list_group)
+        right_layout.addWidget(image_group)
        # right_layout.addWidget(job_list_group)
        main_layout.addLayout(right_layout)
-    def closeEvent(self, event):
+    def __background_update(self):
-        """Handle window close event with job running confirmation.
+        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)
-        Args:
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
            event: The close event triggered by user.
        """
        running_jobs = len(RenderQueue.running_jobs())
        if running_jobs:
            reply = QMessageBox.question(self, "Running Jobs",
@@ -216,12 +212,7 @@ 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):
@@ -238,7 +229,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
                # Update the current hostname and clear the job list
                self.current_hostname = new_hostname
                self.job_list_view.setRowCount(0)
-                self.refresh_job_list()
+                self.fetch_jobs(clear_table=True)
                # Select the first row if there are jobs listed
                if self.job_list_view.rowCount():
@@ -290,19 +281,21 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
        self.server_info_ram.setText(memory_info)
        self.server_info_gpu.setText(gpu_info)
-    def update_ui_data(self):
+    def fetch_jobs(self, clear_table=False):
        """Update UI data with current server and job information."""
        self.update_servers()
        if not self.current_server_proxy:
            return
-        server_job_data = self.job_data.get(self.current_server_proxy.hostname)
+        if clear_table:
-        if server_job_data:
+            self.job_list_view.clear()
-            num_jobs = len(server_job_data)
+            self.refresh_job_headers()
        job_fetch = self.current_server_proxy.get_all_jobs(ignore_token=False)
        if job_fetch:
            num_jobs = len(job_fetch)
            self.job_list_view.setRowCount(num_jobs)
-            for row, job in enumerate(server_job_data):
+            for row, job in enumerate(job_fetch):
                display_status = job['status'] if job['status'] != RenderStatus.RUNNING.value else \
                    ('%.0f%%' % (job['percent_complete'] * 100))  # if running, show percent, otherwise just show status
@@ -327,7 +320,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
                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):
@@ -393,11 +386,6 @@ 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 = []
@@ -408,16 +396,23 @@ 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)
-    # -- Image Code -- #
+        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 -- #
    def load_image_path(self, image_path):
-        """Load and display an image from file path.
+        # Load and set the image using QPixmap
        Args:
            image_path: Path to the image file to load.
        """
        # Load and set image using QPixmap
        try:
            pixmap = QPixmap(image_path)
            if not pixmap:
@@ -450,25 +445,28 @@ 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 self.found_servers and not is_localhost(self.found_servers[0]):
+        if found_servers and not is_localhost(found_servers[0]):
-            for hostname in self.found_servers:
+            for hostname in found_servers:
                if is_localhost(hostname):
-                    self.found_servers.remove(hostname)
+                    found_servers.remove(hostname)
-                    self.found_servers.insert(0, hostname)
+                    found_servers.insert(0, hostname)
                    break
        old_count = self.server_list_view.count()
        # Update proxys
-        for hostname in self.found_servers:
+        for hostname in 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 self.found_servers:
+        for hostname in 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")
@@ -479,7 +477,7 @@ 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 self.found_servers:
+            if name not in found_servers:
                servers_to_remove.append(name)
        # remove any servers that shouldn't be shown any longer
@@ -526,7 +524,7 @@ 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:
        """
@@ -541,9 +539,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
        self.engine_browser_window.show()
    def job_logs(self) -> None:
-        """Open log viewer for selected job.
+        """
-
+        Event handler for the "Logs" button.
        Opens a log viewer window showing the logs for the currently selected job.
        """
        selected_job_ids = self.selected_job_ids()
        if selected_job_ids:
@@ -552,10 +549,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
            self.log_viewer_window.show()
    def stop_job(self, event):
-        """Stop selected render jobs with user confirmation.
+        """
-
+        Event handler for the Stop Job button
        Args:
            event: The button click event.
        """
        job_ids = self.selected_job_ids()
        if not job_ids:
@@ -565,7 +560,7 @@ 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 job: {display_name}?"
+                message = f"Are you sure you want to stop the job:\n{display_name}?"
            else:
                return  # Job not found, handle this case as needed
        else:
@@ -578,13 +573,11 @@ 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.refresh_job_list()
+            self.fetch_jobs(clear_table=True)
    def delete_job(self, event):
-        """Delete selected render jobs with user confirmation.
+        """
-
+        Event handler for the Delete Job button
        Args:
            event: The button click event.
        """
        job_ids = self.selected_job_ids()
        if not job_ids:
@@ -607,7 +600,7 @@ 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.refresh_job_list()
+            self.fetch_jobs(clear_table=True)
    def download_files(self, event):
@@ -638,41 +631,6 @@ 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
--- a/src/ui/settings_window.py
+++ b/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
+from src.utilities.misc_helper import launch_url, system_safe_path
 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_all_engine_info()
+        data = RenderServerProxy(socket.gethostname()).get_engine_info()
        self.done.emit(data)
 class SettingsWindow(QMainWindow):
@@ -59,7 +59,9 @@ 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 = Path(Config.upload_folder).expanduser() / "engines"
+            EngineManager.engines_path = system_safe_path(
            os.path.join(os.path.join(os.path.expanduser(Config.upload_folder),
                                      'engines')))
        self.installed_engines_table = None
@@ -411,7 +413,7 @@ class SettingsWindow(QMainWindow):
                    msg_result = msg_box.exec()
                    messagebox_shown = True
                    if msg_result == QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
-                        EngineManager.download_engine(engine_name=engine.name(), version=result['version'], background=True,
+                        EngineManager.download_engine(engine=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)
--- a/src/utilities/config.py
+++ b/src/utilities/config.py
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
 import yaml
 from src.utilities.misc_helper import current_system_os, copy_directory_contents
@@ -25,7 +23,7 @@ class Config:
        with open(config_path, 'r') as ymlfile:
            cfg = yaml.safe_load(ymlfile)
-        cls.upload_folder = str(Path(cfg.get('upload_folder', cls.upload_folder)).expanduser())
+        cls.upload_folder = os.path.expanduser(cfg.get('upload_folder', cls.upload_folder))
        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)
@@ -39,14 +37,14 @@ class Config:
        cls.download_timeout_seconds = cfg.get('download_timeout_seconds', cls.download_timeout_seconds)
    @classmethod
-    def config_dir(cls) -> Path:
+    def config_dir(cls):
        # Set up the config path
        if current_system_os() == 'macos':
-            local_config_path = Path('~/Library/Application Support/Zordon').expanduser()
+            local_config_path = os.path.expanduser('~/Library/Application Support/Zordon')
        elif current_system_os() == 'windows':
-            local_config_path = Path(os.environ['APPDATA']) / 'Zordon'
+            local_config_path = os.path.join(os.environ['APPDATA'], 'Zordon')
        else:
-            local_config_path = Path('~/.config/Zordon').expanduser()
+            local_config_path = os.path.expanduser('~/.config/Zordon')
        return local_config_path
    @classmethod
@@ -63,9 +61,10 @@ class Config:
            # Determine the template path
            resource_environment_path = os.environ.get('RESOURCEPATH')
            if resource_environment_path:
-                template_path = Path(resource_environment_path) / 'config'
+                template_path = os.path.join(resource_environment_path, 'config')
            else:
-                template_path = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[2] / 'config'
+                template_path = os.path.join(
                    os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))), 'config')
            # Copy contents from the template to the local configuration directory
            copy_directory_contents(template_path, local_config_dir)
--- a/src/utilities/misc_helper.py
+++ b/src/utilities/misc_helper.py
@@ -9,12 +9,11 @@ import string
 import subprocess
 import sys
 from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Optional, List, Dict, Any
 logger = logging.getLogger()
-def launch_url(url: str) -> None:
+def launch_url(url):
    logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
    if shutil.which('xdg-open'):
@@ -38,7 +37,7 @@ def launch_url(url: str) -> None:
        logger.error(f"Failed to launch URL: {url}. Error: {e}")
-def file_exists_in_mounts(filepath: str) -> Optional[str]:
+def file_exists_in_mounts(filepath):
    """
    Check if a file exists in any mounted directory.
    It searches for the file in common mount points like '/Volumes', '/mnt', and '/media'.
@@ -79,7 +78,7 @@ def file_exists_in_mounts(filepath: str) -> Optional[str]:
                        return possible_mount_path
-def get_time_elapsed(start_time: Optional[datetime] = None, end_time: Optional[datetime] = None) -> str:
+def get_time_elapsed(start_time=None, end_time=None):
    def strfdelta(tdelta, fmt='%H:%M:%S'):
        days = tdelta.days
@@ -106,7 +105,7 @@ def get_time_elapsed(start_time: Optional[datetime] = None, end_time: Optional[d
    return elapsed_time_string
-def get_file_size_human(file_path: str) -> str:
+def get_file_size_human(file_path):
    size_in_bytes = os.path.getsize(file_path)
    # Convert size to a human-readable format
@@ -122,19 +121,26 @@ def get_file_size_human(file_path: str) -> str:
        return f"{size_in_bytes / 1024 ** 4:.2f} TB"
-def current_system_os() -> str:
+# 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():
    return platform.system().lower().replace('darwin', 'macos')
-def current_system_os_version() -> str:
+def current_system_os_version():
-    return platform.release()
+    return platform.mac_ver()[0] if current_system_os() == 'macos' else platform.release().lower()
-def current_system_cpu() -> str:
+def current_system_cpu():
-    return platform.machine().lower().replace('amd64', 'x64')
+    # convert all x86 64 to "x64"
    return platform.machine().lower().replace('amd64', 'x64').replace('x86_64', '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:
@@ -169,21 +175,28 @@ def current_system_cpu_brand() -> str:
    # Ultimate fallback
    return platform.processor() or 'Unknown CPU'
-def resources_dir() -> str:
+def resources_dir():
-    return os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), '..', '..', 'resources')
+    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 copy_directory_contents(src_dir: str, dst_dir: str) -> None:
+def copy_directory_contents(src_dir, dst_dir):
    """
    Copy the contents of the source directory (src_dir) to the destination directory (dst_dir).
    """
    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)
+            shutil.copytree(src_path, dst_path, dirs_exist_ok=True)
        else:
            shutil.copy2(src_path, dst_path)
-def check_for_updates(repo_name: str, repo_owner: str, app_name: str, current_version: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
+def check_for_updates(repo_name, repo_owner, app_name, current_version):
    def get_github_releases(owner, repo):
        import requests
        url = f"https://api.github.com/repos/{owner}/{repo}/releases"
@@ -210,15 +223,33 @@ def check_for_updates(repo_name: str, repo_owner: str, app_name: str, current_ve
        return latest_version
    return None
-def is_localhost(comparison_hostname: str) -> bool:
+def is_localhost(comparison_hostname):
-    return comparison_hostname in ['localhost', '127.0.0.1', socket.gethostname()]
+    # 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:
+def num_to_alphanumeric(num):
-    return string.ascii_letters[num % 26] + str(num // 26)
+    # 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 get_gpu_info() -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
+def get_gpu_info():
    """Cross-platform GPU information retrieval"""
    def get_windows_gpu_info():
Author	SHA1	Message	Date
Brett	f6ee57fb55	FFMPEG path fixes for ffprobe	2026-01-06 23:49:22 -06:00
Brett	2ba99cee31	EngineManager renaming and refactoring	2026-01-06 23:48:49 -06:00
Brett Williams	13a82a540a	More window improvements	2026-01-06 21:50:41 -06:00
Brett Williams	e7cecf6009	Send resolution / fps data in job submission	2026-01-06 19:33:46 -06:00
Brett Williams	2fdabd3a9d	Cleanup Blender job creation	2026-01-06 03:45:19 -06:00
Brett Williams	2691c759ad	Improve time representation in main window	2026-01-04 20:21:37 -06:00
Brett Williams	a036b8244f	Improved project naming and fixed Blender engine issue	2026-01-04 20:05:49 -06:00
Brett Williams	7b0d9a0b9f	Initial refactor of add_job_window	2026-01-04 19:42:47 -06:00