In 3D rendering, especially within a decentralized network like Pictor Network, ensuring the quality and correctness of rendered outputs is paramount. When jobs are distributed across multiple nodes, it’s not just about getting the job rendered but ensuring it is rendered correctly. Incorrect rendering can manifest as broken, black, or partially rendered frames, often due to hardware discrepancies, plugin issues, or missing materials and textures.
To guarantee the quality of the rendering service, Pictor Network employs a Proof of Work (PoW) mechanism for its Workers. This mechanism is designed to ensure that the Workers, who are responsible for rendering the jobs, are held accountable for the quality of their work. By employing the PoW mechanism, Pictor Network can guarantee that the rendered output is accurate, complete, and of high quality, thereby maintaining the network Creators trust.
What is Proof of Work (PoW)?
Proof of Work (PoW) is a mechanism that requires a Worker to provide evidence that they have completed a specific 3D rendering job. This mechanism is designed to verify that the Worker has efficiently utilized the necessary hardware and software resources to complete the job to the expected standards. PoW is used to ensure that the Workers are producing high-quality rendered outputs, while also preventing malicious or faulty behaviors.
Proof of Work Process Flow
Pictor Network’s Proof of Work Mechanism involves several key processes:
- Job Submission: A Creator submits a rendering job to the Pictor Network.
- Metadata Distribution: The Checker Nodes receive metadata about the job, including Modeling software and its version, Rendering engines and their version, and Plugins used, total frames, frame range (i.e. 0-150), resolution, etc.
- Data (Render File) Distribution: The render files are encrypted, segmented into smaller pieces, and sent directly to the Workers.
- Job Receipt Time Tracking: The Checker Nodes record the time when the Worker receives the files (T1).
- Rendering Process: The Worker renders the distributed files, during which the GPU and other hardware resources are monitored.
- Computing Measurement: The Checker Nodes record the utilization of the Worker’s hardware resources during the rendering process.
- Job Completion Time Tracking: The Checker Nodes record the time when the Worker completes the job (T2).
- Render Result Evaluation: The Checker Nodes evaluate the render results using the Pictor Network’s AI Core System.
- Proof of Work Verification: The PoW mechanism verifies the quality and accuracy of the rendered results, ensuring that they meet the expected requirements of the Creators.
Proof of Work Key Components
Pictor Network’s Proof of Work consists of three key components:
1. Proof of Time (PoT)
- Proof of Time is a record of the time it takes for a Worker to complete a rendering job. It ensures that the Worker has completed the job within a reasonable timeframe, indicating the efficiency and performance of the Worker’s hardware.
- Measurement: Proof of Time is measured by recording the time when the Worker receives the job (T1) and completes the job (T2).
2. Proof of Computing (PoC)
- Proof of Computing is a record of the hardware resources used by the Worker during the rendering period (ΔT = T2 – T1). It ensures that the Worker has utilized the necessary hardware resources to complete the job, indicating the quality and accuracy of the rendered outputs.
- Measurement: Proof of Computing is measured by monitoring the usage of the Worker’s GPU and other hardware resources (such as GPU utilization, CPU utilization, memory (VRAM and RAM) usage, disk I/O, power consumption, etc.) during the rendering process.
3. Render Result
- Render result is the actual output of the rendering job, consisting of the rendered frames/images. It provides the final proof of the Worker’s performance, ensuring that the output is accurate, complete, and of high quality.
- Evaluation: The render result is evaluated by the Checker Nodes using the Pictor AI Core system to ensure that it meets the Creator’s requirements.
Note: Additional Verification Step
Based on our extensive experience in 3D rendering, we have observed that while 95% of tasks are rendered correctly, there is a 5% chance of inaccuracies. To address this, Pictor Network employs Proof of User Confirmation.
Users, or Creators, can review the rendered outputs and confirm which frames are rendered correctly to approve and which frames are rendered incorrectly and need re-rendering. This additional verification step allows users to directly assess the quality of the rendering results. If errors are found, the network will issue warnings or impose penalties on the responsible Workers and Checkers.
This mechanism is activated in the case of Creator complaints and serves as an additional layer of quality assurance.
The Importance of Proof of Work
The Proof of Work mechanism plays a vital role in the Pictor Network.
- Quality Assurance: Monitoring and verifying the rendering process and output through PoW ensures that the final rendered outputs are accurate and meet the Creator’s expectations.
- Security and Integrity: The encryption and segmentation of render files protect the Creator’s work, ensuring that only the Creator has the full integrity of their work. The Checker Nodes, while aware of the job metadata, do not possess the actual render files, safeguarding the Creator’s work. Worker nodes receive encrypted file segments, preventing any single node from accessing the complete job details.
- Transparency: The use of Checker Nodes to record time and resource usage on the blockchain provides a transparent and verifiable record of the rendering process, fostering trust among network participants.
- Efficiency: Monitoring hardware usage and performance helps optimize the rendering process, identifying and mitigating potential issues that could affect the quality or timeliness of the output.
Pictor Network’s Proof-of-Work mechanism is designed to guarantee high-quality and accurate rendered outputs in a decentralized environment. By combining Checker Nodes, secure file distribution, and AI-powered quality checks, Pictor Network sets a high bar for rendering services. This mechanism not only strengthens quality control but also ensures the entire rendering process is secure, transparent, and efficient, making Pictor Network a reliable solution for 3D rendering projects.