The Cache Mode lets you store the plants animation to a disk file that records all changes (growth, wind, etc.), and then play back the animation using the information in the disk file instead of the computation. This is useful when the computation required for mesh animation becomes so excessive that it causes animation playback to run slowly or drop frames.

It is also possible to speed up the computation process using multi-threading when recording in a separate file for each frame. This is useful for working with animated trees with using Meta meshes.

Cache Mode rollout

On

Enables the Cache Mode.

Cache File group

Contains settings for recording the mesh animation.

[file name]

After you specify or load a cache file, its name appears in this field.

New button

Creates a new, empty cache file. After setting a new file, use Record to create the cache data.

Load button

Loads a cache data from a cache file on disk into the GrowFX.

Record group

Contains settings for recording cached animation.

One File / One File per Frame

Choose whether to save the cache in a single file, or in a separate file for each frame of recorded animation.

Number of Threads

Specifies the number of threads that will be used in the calculation of the plants during the recording process. Available only when using One File per Frame. Default = Number of system cores.

Record current Frame

Records only one frame.

Record Animation

Records animation.

Start Frame

Sets the first frame for recording the mesh animation. Default=first frame of the active time segment.

End Frame

Sets the last frame for recording the mesh animation. Default=last frame of the active time segment.

Record button

Evaluates model and stores the mesh animation to a disk file.

Cancel button

Cancels the recording process.

Cache Info group

Displays cache statistics in read-only format, including the Start Frame, End Frame of the recorded data.

Playback Options group

Start Frame

Sets the first frame for playing the mesh animation.

Speed factor

Allows to change the playback speed.

Loop animation

Allows playback of a looped animation.

Reset button

Resets all settings to default.

Delete Cache Files button

Deletes the cache files from the disk.