VDB preview file cache - update

Forums: VDB preview file cache - update
3D Studio Max Plugin (Export Script Plugins developed by [gk] and KilaD; Integrated Plugin developed by Karba)
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VDB preview file cache - update

Postby neonZorglub » Wed Oct 05, 2022 2:02 am

neonZorglub Wed Oct 05, 2022 2:02 am
VDB preview file cache - update
(From version 2021.1.6 - 12.26 and 2022.1 XB3 - 13.07)

The VDB files used in Octane Volume objects can be displayed in 3dsmax viewport with settings in the Display settings rollout.

Each VDB file is read and a partial point cloud is extracted for the preview.
Those are cached in memory, so it needs to be done only once.

Optionally, this can be also saved to disc (as .OVPC), to avoid any further processing.
This file caching is enabled by default, in Render settings / Support tab :
'VDB Preview file caching'

The default file location is in a sub folder of the VDB files folder.
You can choose a different location with 'VDB Preview cache location'
Select one of the pre-set location, or a user defined folder.

User defined folder and macros.

If your scene is C:\projects\prj01\boom.max
and it uses VDB files in D:\myData\explos\explosion.001.VDB, explosion.002.VDB,.. etc

With the default location, the cached files are stored as
D:\myData\explos\OVdbPreview\explosion.001.OVPC,.. etc

You can set the User defined folder to another path, for example
E:\myCache\vdbPreviews
and the cache files will be stored as
E:\myCache\vdbPreviews\explosion.001.OVPC,.. etc

But if you use several Volume objects with different VDB files, all the cached files will all be saved in the same folder.

To keep the cache files separated, you can use one of the available macros:
$(VdbPath) will be replaced by D:\myData\explos
$(VdbFolder) will be replaced by explos
$(ScenePath) will be replaced by C:\projects\prj01
$(SceneFolder) will be replaced by prj01
$(SceneName) will be replaced by boom
$(3dsMaxTempPath) will be replaced by C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2023 - 64bit\ENU\temp
$(3dsMaxExportPath) will be replaced by C:\Users\xxxx\Documents\3ds Max 2023\export

Use the '...' button to append a macro to the current user path

For example:
H:\$(VdbPath) will store H:\myData\explos\explosion.001.OVPC,.. etc
H:\$(VdbPath)\OVdbPreview will store H:\myData\explos\OVdbPreview\explosion.001.OVPC,.. etc
H:\myCache\$(ScenePath)\$(VdbFolder) will store H:\myCache\projects\prj01\explos\explosion.001.OVPC,.. etc


Notes:
The drive letter part ('D:\') is automatically removed if the macro is not in first position
[eg $(VdbPath) is replaced by 'myData\explos' when used in 'H:\$(VdbPath)']

The 'Per Obj' checkbox can be used store different cache files for different Volume objects, using the same VDB files, but different display settings.
This will add another sub folder to the cache location.

You can explore the cached files location with the context menu (right click) of the 'Update cache' button.

When the display settings are changed, all the cached files are invalidated, and will need to be re-created.
When 'VDB Preview file caching' is set to 'From start to current', all the VDB files from frame 0 to current frame are automatically processed.
You can cancel this processing with the ESC key.
While setting up the display parameters to match your needs, you can set 'VDB Preview file caching' to 'current time only' to avoid multiple re-processing / cancelling.
When you are happy with the display settings, you can press the 'Update cache' button to process the full timeline.
neonZorglub
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