Environment Variables in VFX Projects
Environment variables are widely used in VFX to manage project-specific settings dynamically. By using these variables, artists and developers can configure paths, software versions, and color settings without hard-coding them into scripts.
Common uses include setting paths for textures and renders, color management (e.g. OCIO configurations), and defining variables that control file versioning and shot-specific behavior.
Using direnv for PROJEKT Environment Variables
direnv automatically loads environment variables from a .envrc file when entering a project directory. This is especially useful in VFX pipelines where each project has unique configuration needs.
With direnv, variables such as asset paths or OCIO configs are only active within the project scope, keeping environments clean and predictable.
Installation of direnv
Rocky Linux 9
Install via DNF:
sudo dnf install direnv
Hook into the shell:
Add the following to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc:
eval "$(direnv hook bash)" # or "zsh"
macOS
Option 1: Install without Homebrew
- Download the latest release from the direnv GitHub releases page.
- Choose the macOS binary (e.g.
direnv.darwin-amd64).
mv direnv.darwin-amd64 /usr/local/bin/direnv chmod +x /usr/local/bin/direnv
Option 2: Install with Homebrew
brew install direnv
Hook into the shell:
eval "$(direnv hook bash)" # or "zsh"