# Using ORBX From Solaris (Houdini)

When using Render Network in conjunction with Solaris in Houdini, the accepted output format is ORBX. A Solaris scene layout can be exported in ORBX format from the Octane-specific **Render Settings** node connected to a USD Render ROP node (**Figure 1**). Additional tips for preparing Houdini files for export as ORBX can be found in the **Considerations for Exporting to ORBX** section at the end of this document.

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcKBN1WF2DqrdsIMAkHCDesHS9brHzm5FsykAPaHw8qwGT_c9jSRPt_Hl89WLoyKY4rcOgSNvVw80viZAmRQ5A8OwK2kCYp2ue7mbc8ONU3mjxWh5-r6YYbP15WjeawTLxSx6N2OVXMjQueUkLpgd3q1no?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 1</strong>: Adding an Octane Render Settings and USD Render ROP to Solaris</p></figcaption></figure>

In the Octane **Render Settings** node, the **Export ORBX and Alembic Files** checkbox needs to be activated. The **Export Mode** option provides an option between exporting the entire scene to ORBX or to Alembic only. When preparing files for the Render Network, **Full ORBX Scene** should be selected (**Figure 2**).&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdf0ytxtYB-49m02oHJGH_uw2i4EtKEBx9-VZ5kyJeF_HjFl2KQ_b7DNTnCzqDBOhfi0x5sfvMNpvOYwOhaTYNcDhywbQ5bqxvxdTYALy5cHdBJsGn_lJ5ck54cGnS9gQmh8LvUVjWgnwTjTM9bLHIYAHE?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 2</strong>: Choosing Full ORBX Scene as the Export mode</p></figcaption></figure>

The file name and location for saving the ORBX export can be determined with the **Base File Name** parameter (**Figure 3**). The .orbx file extension does not need to be added to the file name manually as is the case with typical of Houdini file saving conventions. The .orbx extension will be added automatically.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXelmiw36hepytyQZte16M1S-z-r-cbX5rETKrG53wmjJHAMaugpxYqIqPu8EbvyuGa1SRDKxEtH_i2l_XKVXRMBdy84HtlHFFNh8iIw4AtY9bXeG9uOxgcvoXVKycHS1xbpcEKMSmqZuYG7V5Y8eYHBU0_d?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 3</strong>: Naming and determining the save location for the ORBX export</p></figcaption></figure>

The **Render Settings** parameter in the **USD Render ROP** node should be set to the Octane-specific **Render Settings** node discussed previously (**Figure 4**).&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcVfmRxt5T6swiCqg9RR-e8xOcEpR1nQU560VaIqjkdCtBBLWkvquRoaSIY1Qf2KTwx70FbbnM1poiImBCvsGhzvi9eZUCAa8ieB2vMKD5MiFOm7NDmDzrNJkttBRQ5ZEcN8MEqZ6dFOJ8ndLZefcqBUFY6?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 4</strong>: Adding the Render Settings node to the USD Render ROP node</p></figcaption></figure>

The **Render All Frames With a Single Process** should be activated in the USD Render ROP node (**Figure 5**). Otherwise, Octane will not render all frames of an animated sequence.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfJw74UAMVSFwT7HV972fPjGKmIjdGV3H5_FmgHjV7k8ep31NNOt9bYxcvwGFfJE8ErJSbWnWs14JbGo2rA3PnZ2aZjIF47711ZjONYnEtjFKow4w2PZ-vjebiZmSwCcXs6fl3Qm6THArPAKiuxt6_uJc6h?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 5</strong>: Activating Render All Frames With a Single Process</p></figcaption></figure>

The exporting of the ORBX file can be started by clicking on the **Render to Disk** button in the USD **Render ROP** node (**Figure 6**).

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfKbPDqZ1zEXjiVdTNAijfkcsexmAx8gLGi83YYdCpFTaUFDoCvialK0a68_vtJ9ZM_StSPywQ0g1J2Qop5JXxHF4rtXouCEO2LlwIwNIDLmZ-DrbW6HhYfsHYn48XOJToBRc0Liw-KQEdHasZrr8HMM-A?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 6</strong>: Rendering to disk from the USD Render ROP node<br></p></figcaption></figure>

It is good practice to open the ORBX file in Octane **Standalone** to make sure everything from the Solaris scene is exported properly. To check for rendering issues inside of Octane Standalone, click on the **Render Target** node in the **Node Graph Editor** window (figure 7).

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXelvO0guGivHqpI2pI6T69Kl1R9BK-Souf_pKwpTpBKXC1bELzFINgLwp-zLPc6zyLAJly5ubi9X72aeZR9uPp7Q_XJVc6Djrn9rVov0u1zA2wht7_TGi3jji1o-P5y2KNGMvJHzgou0fN6_VQhg3q4tl-p?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 7</strong>: Activating a render in Octane Standalone by clicking on the Render Target node</p></figcaption></figure>

If the exported ORBX file contains animation, the timeline will be visible in the Standalone **Render Viewport** window (**Figure 8**).\
\
A Solaris scene can also be exported in USD format using the **USD ROP** node instead of the **USD Render ROP** node (**Figure 9**).

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc-5Mj1rtWNwzZ-YXvKJ9GgOSYegpLZWea11ZEB1Gwr2SnS_pW2tB2M1ZFDYs_Lwubp61dPOalYrkbffVCtZK1YfCUY0ODjC9GjbdBu4TQlLiXBRKczuVB3R921sqyLlcrYG87hnDT6OzGglzGgHV2mhaw?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 8</strong>: The Render Viewport timeline</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc7iG3LThZVy6lX0QiYTTvt7h06vUi4-GxxmH4ln9_etovkkgXVyQVu-1QLTAZdLsZ6hmUDMZeiu73PRyZRfQCSuhHR5fO1yuiavuul2-OAHaxxcMlpmiUkQqhhSx4XK8C__stMxlAfombxtPXZM_sy6GM?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 9</strong>: Exporting to USD </p></figcaption></figure>

The **Output File** path in the **USD ROP** node needs to be set accordingly along with the .usd file extension (**Figure 10**).

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXehvlVmcEiqX4xm4nJrRN1qFDzyasRP0AjzlvsAhdrKOnYkw3XLsPQUQPnzk7HTmJHRTCybjMDsGW_ft_wL9InUgrzmKOMV4kcMWWGCd65IBcJJH4jpGIFy6A8fWq_WlI_TmDQGwXUyrGBOiUE8Z5czW2pC?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 10</strong>: Setting the output path and .usd file extension</p></figcaption></figure>

The exporting of the USD file can be started by clicking on the Save to Disk button in the USD ROP node (**Figure 11**).

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc9ljTyGhEIS8XTWApb0auGI0Ok3rp-EMf4364g3in4wxe6quclYRkpwL4xo5I0RkzxEYjkFeEKZ1SLbRjklN2kA_QijNFkg1LHLRvyhz8oxpfgg80s-y35919YNeilg0jIPrCKcrVkiK6YfdANTmwCHn3t?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 11</strong>: Saving to disk from the USD ROP node</p></figcaption></figure>

The exported USD scene from Solaris can be imported into Octane Standalone by dragging and dropping the USD file into the Standalone **Node Graph Editor** window (**Figure 12**).

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeP6hHXUUzi-CZUFPvZNNdX40l8dvStHAiFLlVAWc0t8hB_L0fnlYffD9tWbiWae-rKbkJr0L2NVTuWBGFK7nMirN99fsbVyzfJV27CRP4TDVnYT0APoHH_JR3H_QC-CBFoXJp6pF5ukWxGrApvoREOkbC2?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 12</strong>: Adding the USD file to the Node Graph Editor window in Standalone</p></figcaption></figure>

A **Render Target** node needs to be added by **right-clicking** in the **Node Graph Editor** window and choosing **Render Target** from the node list. The camera and geometry output pins on the .usd node need to be connected to the Render Target’s **Camera** and **Geometry** input pins (figure 13).

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeilCqosF6uDrstKYCC-rydWu0CLkn4WOXqiyIdrNIPv0ivz_JVWz77WYDVJ3fJayvCZv8Pl89tQHH0lRx9QsTIIdVf8pVny-u4jeP8k4PECVR4KW7lOxdV0S9MgX7duDj-nPApDtenf2zAndBsnx70XY73?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 13</strong>: Connecting the usd node’s output pins to the Render Target node</p></figcaption></figure>

The scene can be saved in ORBX format by choosing Save As or Save as Package from the File menu (**Figure 14**).&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXd6X-fEmqJk2C_ZQS3FcpojBo9BMJrmmIG0kgtigkFYJ7eL_355o1wQtaV-i3513o3I9er5mjM3FbM91herUNH8PGsY_CLrArAWEEDGRekvi-pPHqZop7gwFluq3CCSCkFWM1936ZmxKfqBTsb5FUBtJ2di?key=650Say7VubRpnvVyDtKdYg" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p><strong>Figure 14</strong>: Saving ORBX scene from Standalone</p></figcaption></figure>

For more information on saving, packaging, and unpacking files, refer to the [**Octane Standalone documentation**](https://docs.otoy.com/standaloneSE/CoverPage.html).&#x20;

## Considerations for Exporting to ORBX

* **File Size** - The ORBX files should not exceed 20 GB in size. If an exported ORBX file is larger than 20 GB (which can be the case with animated projects), the export can be broken down into frame ranges..&#x20;
* **AOVs** - Render passes or AOVs need to be set up prior to exporting the ORBX file from Solaris. AOVs can also be set up using Octane Standalone prior to uploading the ORBX to the Render Network.&#x20;
  * **The Product Type** parameter in the **AOV Settings** tab of the Octane-specific **Render Settings** node can be set to **Raster** so the AOVs can be viewed from the OctaneRender Viewport or it can be set to **Octane\_raster** to save the AOVs for final output.&#x20;
* **Simulations** - All simulation assets such as particles, fluids, hair, etc. should be baked prior to ORBX export.&#x20;
* **Double check Pyro or VDB simulations** in Standalone prior to uploading the ORBX to the Render Network. This is to ensure that the proper VDB grids are loaded in the ORBX file.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://know.rendernetwork.com/getting-started/how-to-get-started/upload-orbx-scene-for-rendering/using-orbx-from-houdini/using-orbx-from-solaris-houdini.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
