To delete temporary files in After Effects, primarily known as clearing the disk cache, navigate to the Edit menu and select the Purge option. This process is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and freeing up disk space.
Clearing Disk Cache in After Effects
After Effects utilizes a disk cache to store frequently accessed frames and pre-rendered previews, which helps speed up playback and rendering. While beneficial for workflow, this cache can grow significantly over time, consuming valuable disk space and potentially leading to performance slowdowns. Clearing these temporary files is a common maintenance practice.
Step-by-Step Guide to Purge Disk Cache
The primary method for deleting these temporary files, or the disk cache, is straightforward:
- Open any After Effects project. You don't need a specific project loaded; the option is available regardless.
- Navigate to the toolbar at the top of your screen.
- Select
Edit > Purge > All Memory & Disk Cache. - A dialogue box will appear, giving you a choice regarding the scope of the cache clearance. You can choose to:
- Clear the disk cache for all versions of After Effects installed on your system.
- Clear the disk cache only for the current version of After Effects you are using.
Understanding Your Cache Clearing Options
The dialogue box provides flexibility when clearing your disk cache:
| Option | Description | Ideal Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Disk Cache for All Versions | Deletes all cached files generated by any After Effects installation on your computer. | When you need to free up maximum disk space or start fresh across all versions. |
| Clear Disk Cache for Current Version | Deletes cached files specifically from the After Effects version you are currently running. | When you want to clean up current project files without affecting other versions' caches. |
Why Clear the Disk Cache?
Regularly clearing your After Effects disk cache offers several benefits:
- Improved Performance: A bloated cache can sometimes lead to slower performance. Clearing it can help After Effects run more smoothly.
- Free Up Disk Space: Cache files can accumulate to several gigabytes, especially after working on large or numerous projects. Deleting them frees up significant storage.
- Resolve Playback Issues: Sometimes, corrupted cache files can cause playback glitches or errors. Clearing the cache can resolve these issues.
- Clean Slate for New Projects: Starting a new project with a clear cache ensures that old, irrelevant data doesn't interfere with your current work.
While this method effectively clears the primary temporary files, After Effects also stores other preferences and project-specific temporary data. However, the Edit > Purge > All Memory & Disk Cache command is the most impactful way to manage the largest accumulation of temporary files.
