Create or import GPU caches

You can create Alembic-based GPU cache files from the polygon or NURBS objects in your scene. You can save all the scene objects to a single cache or create a cache file for each selected object.

Note: Lambert and Phong materials from the original geometry can also be saved to the GPU cache file. See Shade and render GPU caches.

To create a GPU cache

  1. Do one of the following:
    • To save all objects in the scene to one GPU cache file, select Cache > GPU Cache > Export All > .
    • To save each object hierarchy in the scene to separate GPU cache files, select the objects you want cached, then select Cache > GPU Cache > Export Selection > .
  2. In the GPU Cache Export Optionswindow, select a Cache time range option to specify which frames to cache.
  3. If you choose to save selected objects to separate caches, specify a File name prefix.

    By default, Maya adds the scene file name to the start of cache file names.

  4. (Optional) Change the default Optimize Hierarchy Optimization Threshold settings.

    These options optimize GPU caches for playback performance. The GPU Cache Preferences provide additional optimization options.

  5. (Optional) To have animated objects display with motion blur when played in Viewport 2.0, turn on Optimize Animations for Motion Blur.
  6. (Optional) To save the Lambert or Phong materials from the original geometry to the cache file, ensure Write Materials is on.

    7. The materials render when the cache file is played back in Viewport 2.0. Write Materials is on by default.

  7. Click Export.

To import a GPU cache

  1. Select Cache > GPU Cache > Import > .

    You can also import GPU cache files by selecting Cache > Alembic Cache > Import Alembic > .

  2. In the Alembic Import Options window, select from the following:
    • Fit Time Range
    • Set Current Time to Start Frame
  3. Click Import.
Important: To import GPU cache files when using a Windows Remote Desktop Connection, you must:
  1. Start Maya from the host computer.
  2. Set Viewport 2.0 as the default renderer for the workspace.

    Do not set the default renderer from the remote computer.

  3. Access Maya from the remote computer to import GPU cache files.

Failure to follow these steps may cause Maya to stop working when importing GPU cache files.

Related topics

Parent topic: About GPU Caches