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This page provides information on the Live Link feature from Rhino in Chaos Vantage.


Overview

The Live Link feature makes it possible to instantly see changes made in Rhino without the need to export and import .vrscenes in Chaos Vantage.
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Live Link Setup

For Live Link to function properly, please follow the steps below:


Installation

Live Link works only with V-Ray 5 for Rhino, update 2 or later versions.

1. Download and install the latest official V-Ray for Rhino build from the download button. Make sure you have appropriate licenses. If you experience problems, please contact Chaos Support using the online form.




2. Download the latest Chaos Vantage build from the download button. Make sure you have appropriate licenses. If you experience problems, please contact Chaos Support using the online form.






After installation, Live Link can be initiated in one of the following ways:

Chaos Vantage button

Use the Chaos Vantage button in Rhino. It can be accessed either from the Chaos Vantage button in the VRay Live Linking toolbar which is hidden by default but can be enabled from:

  • Tools > Toolbar Layout > VRayForRhino > VRay Live Linking
  • right click on Shelf > Show Toolbar > VRay Live Linking


Using either of the two initializes a live link session between Rhino and Chaos Vantage. It automatically:

  • Starts Chaos Vantage if it is not already running;
  • Sends the scene to Chaos Vantage on 20701 port(default);







vrayVantage command

In Chaos Vantage:


1. Open Chaos Vantage.




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2. Open the Live Link menu and make sure Start Server is enabled (greyed out). If Start Server on Application Start is enabled, every time Chaos Vantage is launched in stand-by mode and waits for incoming data. 




Vantage_LiveLinkStartServer.png

3. Setup port range in Change Port.. menu and make sure the range entered here matches the one previously set SketchUp. Default is 20701.




Vantage_Livelink_port.PNG 

In Rhino:


1. Execute vrayVantage in the command line.

2. Specify the same IP and Port values that were set in Chaos Vantage. Defaults are IP: 127.0.0.1 and Port: 20701.

3. Hit Enter to execute the command and start the Live Link connection.







V-Ray Live Link component in Grasshopper

In Chaos Vantage:


1. Open Chaos Vantage.





2. Open the Live Link menu and make sure Start Server is enabled (greyed out). If Start Server on Application Start is enabled, every time Chaos Vantage is launched in stand-by mode and waits for incoming data. 




Vantage_LiveLinkStartServer.png

3. Setup port range in Change Port.. menu. Default is 20701.




Vantage_Livelink_port.PNG 

In Grasshopper:


1. Create a V-Ray Live Link component and plug the Scene output from a V-Ray Render component to the Scene input of the V-Ray Live Link component .

2. Specify the same Port value that was set in Chaos Vantage. Default is Port: 20701.

3. Right-click on On input > Set boolean > True to initiate a Live Link connection.




Vantage_LiveLink_Grasshopper.png



Once a Live Link session is started, the scene is transferred to Chaos Vantage and a thick blue contour line appears around the viewport and the status message in the lower right changes to [LIVE LINK].

The Pause when app loses focus option in the Preferences menu is ignored when in Live Link session.


To stop a Live Link session either:

  • Click again the Chaos Vantage button in the VRay Live Linking toolbar.
  • Execute vrayVantage command again. 
  • Right-click on On input > Set boolean > False in the V-Ray Live Link component in Grasshopper (if using V-Ray for Grasshopper)
  • Open the VFB and stop the Interactive rendering.


Vantage_Hero



Supported Features

The following changes made in Rhino are propagated through Live Link:

  • Editing, creating and deleting of:
    • Camera
    • Geometries
    • Lights
    • Materials
    • Textures
    • Environment