Getting Started with RenderDay: Cloud Rendering Tutorial
A step-by-step guide to rendering your first Blender project on RenderDay
RenderDay Cloud Rendering
RenderDay is a cloud rendering service that lets you harness powerful GPU clusters for your Blender projects. This guide will walk you through the complete workflow from upload to final render, with all the steps clearly explained.
Prerequisites
- A Blender project (.blend file or .zip with assets)
- An email address
Step 1 - Upload Your Blender Project
Navigate to the RenderDay website - no account required to get started:
- Navigate to the Projects page
- Click "Upload New Project" or drag your file into the upload area
- You can upload a single .blend file or a .zip containing your .blend file and all assets
- Your file will enter the preprocessing stage automatically
If uploading a .zip file, ensure your main .blend file is at the root.
Step 2 - Preprocessing & Analysis
After upload, RenderDay automatically:
Analyzes your Blender file to extract render settings
Evaluates geometry, materials, lighting, and simulations
Calculates scene complexity and memory requirements
Detects available cameras in your scene
This process typically takes 1-2 minutes. You'll be notified when preprocessing is complete and ready for the next step.
Step 3 - Configure Render Settings
Once preprocessing completes, you'll see the settings panel where you can:
Choose your Blender version (e.g., 4.3)
Select render engine (Cycles or EEVEE)
Choose between single frame or animation rendering
Set frame range (start, end, step) for animations
Adjust resolution (width/height)
Set sample count for quality control
Select output format (PNG, JPEG, EXR, TIFF)
Choose camera view if multiple cameras exist
RenderDay automatically detects your file's settings, but you can adjust them to your needs.
Step 4 - Cost Calculation
After confirming your settings:
- RenderDay performs a complexity analysis to estimate render time
- The system may render test frames to improve time estimation accuracy
- You'll need to provide an email address for notifications when the calculation is complete
- You'll receive a price quote based on your project's complexity and settings
- Review the quote and proceed to payment when ready
The cost calculation process usually takes between 2 and 20 minutes depending on scene complexity.
Step 5 - Start Rendering
Once payment is confirmed, your project will enter the rendering queue:
Progress Tracking
Monitor render progress in real-time on your project dashboard
Previews
View a subset of frame previews as they complete
Time Estimation
Track completion percentage and estimated time remaining
Notifications
Receive email notifications when rendering completes
Render times vary based on scene complexity, frame count, and current system load. Single frames often complete in minutes, while animations may take longer depending on the number of frames.
Step 6 - Download Your Results
Once rendering is complete, you can access your files:
- Navigate to your completed project
- Download individual frames or the complete package
- For animations, you'll receive a ZIP with all rendered frames
- For single images, download directly in your chosen format
Your rendered files remain available in your account for 30 days. We recommend downloading and backing up your files promptly.
Best Practices for Successful Cloud Renders
Pack all textures into your .blend file (File → External Data → Pack All Into .blend)
Include simulation cache files in your ZIP for smoke/fluid simulations
Set meaningful output file names in Blender before uploading for easier organization
Test with a single frame before rendering full animations to verify settings
Optimize materials and geometry to reduce complexity and rendering time
Ensure your scene fits within available GPU memory to avoid rendering failures
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
What happens if preprocessing fails?
Preprocessing failures usually indicate missing files or corrupted .blend files. Check that all required assets are included and try uploading again.
Why does my render look different than on my PC?
Ensure you're using the same Blender version, render engine, and that all textures are properly packed. Check that any custom add-ons critical to your scene are supported.
Can I render multiple projects simultaneously?
Yes! RenderDay allows you to have multiple projects rendering concurrently, each with its own status tracking and notifications.
What if my render fails?
If a render fails due to a system error, you'll receive a refund. For scene-specific failures, detailed logs help identify the issue, which is typically related to memory constraints or missing assets.
How accurate are the cost estimates?
Our system performs complexity analysis and test renders to provide accurate estimates. The final cost is fixed once you approve the quote, regardless of actual render time.
Ready to Start Rendering?
Upload your Blender project to RenderDay and experience the power of cloud rendering with high-performance GPUs.