Database-managed rendering

1. A computer-implemented method for tracking image processing data in a collaborative environment comprising:

(a) receiving non-creative information relating to image processing, wherein said non-creative information:

(1) is generated by a computer pursuant to a rendering operation for rendering a clip of image data performed by said computer;

(2) is generated by tracking render-management aspects of the rendering operation; and

(3) comprises an amount of time taken by said computer to perform said rendering operation;

(b) storing said non-creative information in a database, wherein the database is accessible across a network to multiple users; and

(c) evaluating said non-creative information using the database, wherein said evaluating comprises:

(1) inputting an average hourly cost for operating said computer; and

(2) determining a total cost for performing said rendering operation based on the amount of time taken and the average hourly cost.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said non-creative information comprises a number of CPU cycles by said computer to perform said rendering operation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said non-creative information comprises an amount of storage consumed during said rendering operation.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said rendering operation is performed by multiple computers in a render farm, said method further comprising receiving additional non-creative information generated by the multiple computers pursuant to the rendering operation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said non-creative information is stored in the database with a context to information generated in a design phase of said image processing.

6. A computer implemented system for tracking image processing data in a collaborative environment comprising:

(a) a computer having a memory, wherein said computer is communicatively coupled across a network to one or more additional computers to form a network;

(b) a processing application executing on the computer, wherein the processing application is configured to:

(i) receive non-creative information relating to image processing, wherein said non-creative information:

(1) is generated by one or more of said additional computers pursuant to a rendering operation for rendering a clip of image data performed by said one or more additional computers;

(2) is generated by tracking render-management aspects of the rendering operation; and

(3) comprises an amount of time taken by said one or more additional computers to perform said rendering operation;

(ii) storing said non-creative information in a database, wherein the database is accessible across the network to the one or more additional computers; and

(iii) evaluating said non-creative information using the database wherein said processing application is configured to evaluate by:

(1) inputting an average hourly cost for operating said one or more additional computers; and

(2) determining a total cost for performing said rendering operation based on the amount of time taken and the average hourly cost.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein said non-creative information comprises a number of CPU cycles by said one or more additional computers to perform said rendering operation.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein said non-creative information comprises an amount of storage consumed during said rendering operation.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein said one or more additional computers are part of a render farm configured to perform said rendering operation, said application is further configured to receive additional non-creative information generated by the one or more additional computers pursuant to the rendering operation.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein said non-creative information is stored in the database with a context to information generated in a design phase of said image processing.

11. A non-transitory program storage device, readable by a first computer, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the first computer to perform method steps of tracking image processing data in a collaborative environment, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving non-creative information relating to image processing, wherein said non-creative information:

(1) is generated by a second computer pursuant to a rendering operation for rendering a clip of image data performed by said second computer;

(2) is generated by tracking render-management aspects of the rendering operation; and

(3) comprises an amount of time taken by said second computer to perform said rendering operation

(b) storing said non-creative information in a database, wherein the database is accessible across a network to multiple users; and

(c) evaluating said non-creative information using the database, wherein said evaluating comprises:

(1) inputting an average hourly cost for operating said second computer; and

(2) determining a total cost for performing said rendering operation based on the amount of time taken and the average hourly cost.

12. The program storage device of claim 11 , wherein said non-creative information comprises a number of CPU cycles by said second computer to perform said rendering operation.

13. The program storage device of claim 11 , wherein said non-creative information comprises an amount of storage consumed during said rendering operation.

14. The program storage device of claim 11 , wherein said rendering operation is performed by multiple computers in a render farm, said method further comprising receiving additional non-creative information generated by the multiple computers pursuant to the rendering operation.

15. The program storage device of claim 11 , wherein said non-creative information is stored in the database with a context to information generated in a design phase of said image processing.