cacheFile node

This node stores all the settings for a single nDynamic cache (nCache) and fluid effects nCache. Changes to this node’s attributes do not affect its associated cache file on disk. See cacheFile.

In the dependency graph and Attribute Editor, nCaches are represented as nNodeName#Cache# nodes. For example, DressShape1Cache1, DressShape1Cache2, and DressShape1Cache3 are the names of the three nCache nodes that contain the cache settings for an nCloth named Dress. In the Trax Editor, nCaches are represented as nCache clips. Changing an nCache node’s settings also changes the settings of their corresponding nCache clips.

Cache File

Base Directory

Specifies the directory in which the current nCache node’s original cache file resides on disk. By default, the base directory is: \maya\projects\default\data.

Cache Name

Specifies the name of the current nCache node’s original cache file on disk.

Enable

When on, the current nCache node’s simulation is used by its Nucleus object on playback. When off, the current nCache node’s simulation is not used by its Nucleus object on playback.

Start Frame

Specifies the starting time of the current nCache node’s playback. You can change this attribute to modify when your nCache node’s playback begins.

Scale

Expands or contracts the time range of the current node’s nCache. If you increase the scale, the node’s nCache simulation plays back slower. Decreasing the scale has the opposite effect.

Hold

Specifies the number of frames to hold the last frame of the current node’s nCache.

Pre Cycle/Post Cycle

Specifies the number of cycles that come before (Pre Cycle) and after (Post Cycle) the current node’s nCache.

You can use cycles to repeat the simulation contained in your nCaches.

Source Start/Source End

Specifies the start frame number and the end frame number for the range of frames from the original cache on disk that are contained in the current node’s nCache. The Source Start and Source End values will not match the Original Start or Original End values if the current node’s nCache has been trimmed.

You can edit these values to use only part of the current node’s nCache.

Original Start/Original End

Specifies the start frame number and end frame number of the current node’s original nCache file on disk.

Reverse

When on, the current node’s nCache plays in reverse, starting with the cache’s last frame. Reverse is off by default.

Oscillate

When on, the current node's nCache oscillates between reverse and forward playback every other cycle, creating a continuous playback loop. Oscillate is off by default.

Multi Thread

When on, the current node’s nCache is setup for multithreading during playback. Multi Thread is off by default.

Queue Size (frames)

Indicates the number of frames of the nCache Maya will try to preload and keep in memory if multithreading is enabled, but is not setup to preload the entire cache. Queue Size (frames) is 20 by default.

Display Load Progress

When on, the percentage of the multi thread cache memory queue that is full is displayed. Display Load Progress is on by default.

Format

Displays the cache file format used (.mcx or .mcc). This is a read-only attribute.

Cache Description

Displays a selection of the information contained in the XML description file for the current nCache node. For more information on the values contained in the Cache Description, see nCache XML description file.

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