Purging the 3D cache

When you send your design to Visual Impression the graphics used in your scene are converted and stored in a cache file. This improves performance when using Visual Impression as the next time you load a scene with those items they can be quickly retrieved from the cache. Occasionally an issue may arise that requires you to purge the cache. 

The two most common reasons you may need to purge the cache is as follows: 

1. The manufacturer made a recent change to the graphical appearance of an item. When you send your drawing to Visual Impression you are not seeing the updated symbol. This is because the program would be using the cached version of the graphic from before the graphic was updated. Purging the cache will ensure the symbol is regenerated directly from the Catalog and result in the new version being stored in the cache. 

2. Occasionally a corrupted item may get stored in the cache. This could suddenly prevent your scene from loading into Visual Impression. If your scene appeared fine just the other day, but today when you send it to Visual Impression no items appear at all, then purging the 3D cache may resolve the issue. 
 

Purging the Cache via the Service Tray Application

When you use Visual Impression another program called the Visual Impression Service is opened. This application stays running even after you close Visual Impression. 

1. Fully Exit Visual Impression and any other application you currently have open.
   (Worksheet, Cap, Giza, or Cap Complete)
   
   
2. Look to the system tray in the lower right corner of your Windows taskbar. Click the upwards pointing arrow to reveal the hidden icons.
   See: below image
   
   
3. Look for the Visual Impression Service Tray and double click it. 
   
   
4. This will then open the Visual Impression Service Application.
   
   
5. Click the button Purge 3D Cache.
   
   
6. A message will appear stating The cache was successfully purged. Click OK. 
   
   
7. Click the Exit button to close the Visual Impression Service. 
   
   
8. You can now reopen your applications and use Visual Impression. 

Purging the Cache via Diagnostics

The 3D Cache can also be purged using the Diagnostic tool. This should only be done if the Visual Impression Service application referenced in the above image is not running. 

1. Close all Applications you may have open.
   (Worksheet, Giza, Cap, Cap Complete, and/or Visual Impression)
   
   
2. Verify the Visual Impression Service Application is not running by checking your service tray icons.
     
3. Click the Start Menu of the computer and type Diagnostics into the Search field. 
   
   
4. Open the Diagnostics program. 
   
   
5. Click the Tools button along the left edge. 
   
   
6. Click the button Visual Cache Files
   See: image below.
   
   
7. Close the Diagnostics program. 
   
   
8. You may now reopen your Applications.