Retopologize a GPU cache node

You can use Maya's Pipeline Cache options to retopologize dense assets with high polygon counts. GPU cache files consolidate your model's original node hierarchy into a single node, not only improving Maya's performance and memory usage, but making your asset compatible with Make Live and Quad Draw. You can create a GPU cache by exporting your model as an alembic file and importing it back into Maya as a GPU cache node.

To retopologize a GPU cache node

1. In the Maya main menu bar, select Pipeline Cache > GPU Cache > Export All > .
2. In the GPU Cache Export Options window that appears, set the following options:
   • Cache Time Range: Current Frame
   • Optimize Hierarchy: On
   Tip: If your asset contains more than one object, specify an Optimization Threshold value that is greater than the total number of vertices in the highest resolution object. For example, if the highest resolution object consists of 22000000 vertices, set the Optimization Threshold to 22000001.

   The GPU cache file is exported as an alembic file and is saved in the cache\alembic folder of the current Maya project.

3. Import the Alembic file as a GPU cache node. See Import a GPU cache node.

   Your file loads in Maya as a single node.

4. Make your GPU cache node your reference mesh. See Set a reference mesh for Quad Draw.
5. Start to retopologize your mesh. See Retopologize a mesh with Quad Draw.

Related topics

• Create or import GPU caches
• About GPU caches
• Retopologize a mesh with Quad Draw