Visible cache files?

[Ben Jenssen]

Files like "Cache'''''1.dat" have been appearing on the root level of one of my disks lately. They are all around 4.5mb in size. And it's obvious that they're created by LR, because of the creation times and they always take up the 1 gb that I have set LRs cache to in prefs. I can delete them after quitting LR, no problem, or I can leave them. It's a bit annoying to have around 2'' files visible on the top level of the disk.

Anyone have a clue as to why they suddenly are visible?

And should I leave them alone, does LR take advantage of them when starting a new session? I cant see much difference if I do delete them.

 

[Rob Sylvan]

Go to Lightroom > Preferences > File Handling and check where your Camera Raw cache is located. Make sure it is pointing to a folder and not just the root of your drive.

 

[Ben Jenssen]

Thanks.
So I'll create a folder for the cache files. No problem.

I was just bewildered, because I haven't seen those files before.
And I thought my cache prefs in 1.4 was just "choose a disc for temporary cache files", something like that. Not a specific folder.

And doesn't apps usually release the cach disk space when quitting?

 

[Brad Snyder]

This is the cache that's shared with ACR, and has to do with expediting Develop module redraws. IIRC, the size is fixed, and the content is basically Most Recently Used, on the assumption, that that will be a reasonable guess at next needed. It's not released on closing, assuming again, that at least some of the time you'll be picking up where you left off. Wise, smart, effective, productive? I guess you can argue many sides, but that's how it works now, and why.

 

[Ben Jenssen]

Thanks, Brad.