AutoDesk Animator & QCACHE
==========================
The following notes apply to use of AutoDesk Animator with the
shareware disk caching program "QUICKCACHE II", version 4.11,
stored as "QCACHEA.ZIP" and QCACHEB.ZIP", and published by:
     P. R. GLASSEL and ASSOCIATES, Inc.
     30255 Fir Trail, Stacy,  MN 55079, 
     (612) 462-1337

QCACHE can greatly speed up disk-intensive work in Animator,
such as moving between frames and running.  It can be used with
Extended, Expanded or main system memory.  These notes apply for
use only with main system memory, as tested in a 640K Compaq 286.
Installation is simple, both reads and writes can be accelerated,
and the cache can be turned on or off or reconfigured at any time.

After unpacking the storage files, type "INSTALL" at the DOS prompt
and follow instructions.  Once installed, type "CONFIG" at the
DOS prompt to modify its defaults, and switch "read buffering" on.
You can also type "CM" (for Cache Menu) at any DOS prompt to
change session settings only.

Using with Animator
-------------------
The default installation setting for QCACHE is 89 sectors/47K.
This setting should work fine with the Animator main program
at all times, and some speed will be gained.  For a more
significant difference, cache settings of up to 300 sectors may
be used, though Animator needs more of this memory for some
of its operations.

If the current FLIC is very large or complex, and/or various
buffers (CEL CLIP, SWAP CLIP, MASKS) are being used, the cache
may conflict.  Animator will do unusual things if it runs short
of memory - like create strange displays, deny menu choices, or
exit suddenly with "COOKIE" errors!  None of these seem to affect
any saved files, including the temporary work files.

To prevent problems, check memory status under the Animator
EXTRA - INFO.  Beware if it drops below 50-100K.  Adjusting the
cache is simple:  exit Animator, type "CM" (for Cache Menu) at the
DOS prompt, and select a different number of sectors.  Switch
"ENABLE" back on, and [ESC] to exit.  Re-enter Animator, load all
buffers, and re-check memory.

Cache settings of 250-300 sectors work well with short or simple
FLIC's, allowing instant paging back and forth and RAM-speed run
sequences.


Using with AAPLAY
-----------------
QCACHE provides a convenient way to have FLIC's run at RAM
speed, and/or it smooths out the flow of data from the disk,
preventing jerky pauses in animation sequences caused by slow
disk access.

AAPLAY will allow up to 670 sectors/335K to be cached, but if a
FLIC is looping repeatedly, it may suddenly speed up (the cache
"learns" the data), so a cache as small as 100 sectors or less
may be preferable to maintain a consistent  speed.

Cache performance and FLIC playback speeds may also vary from
time to time if FLIC's have been loaded and run in different
orders.  To standardize, first DISENGAGE and then ENGAGE the cache
for fresh starts.

FLIC's set to a speed of "0" are most susceptible to speedup.
If you want to HELP the cache "learn" a file, set its speed to
"0" and loop until disk access is minimized, then reset to the
final running speed.  Moving through a FLIC one frame at a time
also helps (this is also true in the Animator main program).
Turning on the CACHE SOUND beforehand can help track progress.

For instant and consistent high-speed playback, any FLIC files
can be placed in the "Cache Lock Pool":  use the DOS command
"CACHE LOCK filename".  This gives them immediate RAMDISK speed,
even when called from anywhere in a SCRIPT.  If the Pool is set
to its largest possible size (500 sectors/300K) and completely
filled with only data desired for high speed, the remaining cache
area is small enough that any other files in a SCRIPT will not
speed up unpredictably.  Remove locked files at the DOS prompt
with the command "CACHE UNLOCK filename".

If system memory mysteriously disappears after switching the cache
off and on, a cold reboot should clear things out.


-------------------
    Karl Miller
    73720,2100
---- 90/09/09 ----

Uploaded to CIS ASOFT Forum 94/01/17
Keywords:  ANIMATOR CACHE QCACHE QUICKCACHE 640K MEMORY SPEEDUP FAST
