Pipeline caching overview

What is pipeline caching?

You can save and load Maya scene files as Alembic-based cache files with Pipeline Cache tools. The Alembic file format is an open-source format developed for exchanging complex 3D geometry data. Alembic files are highly portable and application independent so they can be shared, processed, and played back by a number of content creation applications. Maya supports version 1.04 of the Alembic format.

In Maya, Alembic-based caches provide a number of performance improvements, including accelerated loading of large scenes, faster play back of complex character animations, and real-time play back of geometry data with topology changes. Complex scenes and animations can be exported as an Alembic file, and then re-imported into Maya to improve playback performance and reduce memory use. This workflow lets you easily pass complex scene data to various areas of your production pipeline, such as between animation and simulation or animation and lighting, without the large overhead of fully editable scenes.

There are two types of Alembic-based caches: standard Alembic caches and GPU-optimized caches. Both cache files are compatible with third-party applications and are saved with the .abc file extension.

To save and load Maya objects and scenes as Alembic caches, load the AbcImport.mll and AbcExport.mll plug-ins for standard-type Alembic files and the gpuCache.mll plug-in for GPU-optimized Alembic files. To load the plug-ins, open the Plug-in Manager ( Windows > Settings/Preferences > Plug-in Manager). See Load or unload Maya plug-ins.

You can load and save Alembic and GPU caches from the Pipeline Caches menu in the Maya main menu bar. See Pipeline Cache.

Alembic and GPU cache comparison

The following table compares important Alembic and GPU cache file characteristics.

Related topics

• Pipeline caching workflows
• Shade and render pipeline caches
• Use MEL commands to save and load pipeline caches
• Pipeline Cache