User Manual

Third, the Sequence Cache
The Sequence Cache is a separate cache for effects that are specifically applied within the
Timeline in the Edit page. These include transitions, opacity adjustments, and composite mode
superimpositions. Sequence Cache effects can be auto-cached in both the Smart and
User caches.
Choosing a Cache Format and Location
The cache format is user selectable by opening the Master Settings panel of the Project
Settings, and using the “Render Cache Format” drop-down menu to choose one of the ProRes,
DNxHR, or uncompressed 10- or 16-bit float uncompressed .dvcc formats. Selecting a higher
quality cache format guarantees high quality image playback, but makes more demands on
the throughput and size of your available disk storage. On the other hand, choosing a more
highly compressed cache format makes real time playback possible on less capable computers
with slower and smaller storage, at the expense of slightly compromised image quality.
Ideally, you should choose the highest quality cache format that your workstation’s storage
can accommodate.
The format you choose via the “Render Cache Format” menu will determine whether out-of-
bounds image data (including “super white” or HDR strength highlights) is preserved when the
signal is cached. Formats in this menu that end in “– HDR” preserve out-of-bounds image data,
while formats that don’t, wont. If you find that image data (typically bright highlights) is clipped
after caching or optimizing, you should switch to 16-bit float, ProRes 4444, ProRes 4444 XQ, or
DNxHR 444; in particular, any of these codecs are appropriate for HDR grading.
The Cache files location defaults to the first volume you add to the Scratch Disks list of the
Media Storage panel of the System Preferences. If no scratch disk is specified, your System disk
will be used, which may pose problems with capacity and/or performance depending on the
size and type of System disk you’re using, and on the media format you choose to cache to.
Forthis reason, it’s nearly always advisable to set your first scratch disk to the largest, fastest
storage volume available to your workstation.
When Caching Happens
When caching is enabled, cache indicators along the bottom of the Timeline Ruler of the
Editpage timeline shows the status of the cache. Red means “to be cached,” while blue means
“has been cached.”
Source, Clip, and Sequence Cache bars seen in the Timeline of the Edit page; red bars show
areas of the Timeline that need caching, blue shows areas that have been cached
In the Color page, cache indicators are node specific, showing the node in your grading node
tree (including all upstream nodes) at which caching will take place.
Node Cache indicator seen as a red colored node number
on node two of the Node Editor of the Color page
Chapter – 6 Improving Performance, Proxies, andthe RenderCache 210