Batch render Renderman issue with Python

[tommasoscaravetti]

Hi,

I'm trying to render a shot using RenderMan. Everything is fine in the preview, the textures are all linked, the lights work, etc...

But when I try to start a batch render of the animation this error in the Script Editor shows up and doesn't let me start my render.

# Error: line 88: TypeError: file C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Maya2023\Python\lib\json\encoder.py line 353: '<' not supported between instances of 'str' and 'NoneType'

Is there a way I can fix this?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[rogueninjacreative]

Did you find a fix for this? I'm having the exact same issue.

[damaggio]

Try the official Renderman Forum.

[tommasoscaravetti]

I couldn't solve the problem in Maya, my scene got corrupted in some way
(still no idea how that happened). The solution I found is to export
everything in Blender as an alembic file .abc (you can easily find
tutorials for this on Youtube) and redo all the texturing, lighting, and
rendering there. I strongly suggest you do the same, as Blender for
rendering is way easier and faster than Maya (and it gave me a better
result too).
If you do want to stay in Maya, try to optimize your scene by going into
File > Optimize.
Hope it helps!

[rogueninjacreative]

Thanks for your reply! I have been thinking about Blender for a while, but didn't want to have to relearn everything while I'm working, but I might have to make the jump. Thanks again!

[leonardoledesma9]

I ran into this problem when trying to use my second computer for rendering. 
Under the Prefrences>Renderman in the batch render section, by default is set to Maya Batch, switching to RIB seems to fix the problem.