The Cache tab manages how Gaea stores temporary data and autosaves, allowing you to balance memory usage, disk performance, and long-term cleanup.

Logs and Autosaves

• Delete after 45 days (Toggle)
  • When enabled, automatically deletes log files and autosaves older than 45 days.
  • Helps prevent disk clutter over time.

Smart Cache

• Always Cache to Disk on Close
  • Forces all cached data to be written to disk when Gaea closes, ensuring a fresh start next time but potentially increasing shutdown time.
• Use Smart Cache
  • Offloads 2K or 4K cached terrain data from RAM to disk if unused for the configured Idle Threshold.
  • Data is instantly reloaded to RAM when needed again.
  • Recommended when the cache folder is on a fast SSD.
• Idle Threshold (seconds)
  • Defines how long unused cached data stays in memory before being offloaded to disk.
  • Default: 600 seconds (10 minutes).

Cache Locations

• Cache Output (Path)
  • Sets the location for storing cached data.
  • SSD storage is recommended for faster read/write speeds.
  • Use the folder icon to select a new directory.
• Save in Central Cache Folder (Toggle)
  • Enabled: All caches are stored in the central cache directory.
  • Disabled: Cache files are saved next to the working project file, in a \Cache subfolder.
• Smart Cache and Cache to Disk (Toggle)
  • Forces use of Smart Cache with disk writing, overriding per-project settings.
• Baked Cache (Toggle)
  • Keeps baked (pre-computed) node results cached permanently, even across sessions, for faster graph reloads.
  • Useful for heavy projects where nodes rarely change.

Notes

• Enabling Smart Cache on SSD can greatly reduce RAM usage without impacting performance.
• If using a slower HDD, keeping Smart Cache disabled may be preferable to avoid latency when reloading cached data.
• Large projects can quickly grow the cache folder; periodically clean it if disk space is limited.