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random memory problem wCS3
hi, i’m running CS3 on a macpro w10gb of memory. 2x 2.8 GHz intel processors. it started running slugglishly, and when i tried to render my composition, the render was interrupted by an error message saying: out of memory.
when i tried to increase memory usage in the preferences, and then tried to render, i got an error message that said i was experiencing fragmentation, unable to allocate space for a 720×486 buffer.
it told me to try decreasing the maximum ram cache size value (which works against what i did to try and enlist more memory previously).
i was wondering if trashing the preferences would work? but was unsure if this worked the same way as it would as it does in fc. do the files in preferences recreate themselves when i would restart ae? or do i not want to do this?
i’m at a loss as the computer should be able to handle the work i’m doing and am frustrated cause i got 10gb of memory to put this machine to use.
any suggestions please?
hope all is well,
ignacio
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5 Replies
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In my experience its best to leave the Memory and Cache settings at their defaults. For particularly difficult renders try setting the Secret Prefs to purge memory frequently. To access these hold down the Shift Key when selecting Preferences, a new item will appear at the bottom of the Prefs menu called “Secret”, set it to purge every 60 frames or so. YMMV but this has saved my bacon many times.
I work on system configured similarly to yours, a MacPro 2xQuad Core with 10GB of RAM.
While I’m on the subject, I think its idiotic for Adobe to hide something this important in a menu that requires what amounts to a secret-handshake for admission. C’mon Adobe, make this option evident to everyone.
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i was unable to access this special window no how many configurations of holding down shift and selecting i did.
and now i tried to render again, after freeing up memory and my ae just crashed.
blegh
ignaciodip
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since your on a mac, there is one other little trick to get the secret pref… hold the shift key and the mouse button the entire time when selecting after effects>preferences>general.
once the preference window opens, select the preference dropdown menu, at the bottom will be the secret pref.
try setting the purge value to a number of frames prior to where the crash happened (example: if it crashed at frame 60, try setting the purge value to 50).
also, i would set your memory and cache values back to the default values: 120% max ram usage and 60% max ram cache.
one other thing you might try, just prior to rendering, choose edit>purge>all to make sure all caches are cleared before rendering.
Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW -
It is important if you have the same problem with any other of your projects or just with this particular one? If it’s just this particular one then just make your peace with it. It’s better not to touch anything in secret preferences. They are secret for the reason. Otherwise you are going to have problems with AE in general even after you return everything to its defaults, believe me.
When I say make your peace with situation I mean – render out your project in image sequence for as many frames as AE allows you before its crashes then render next frames etc. Also after crash you may want to restart your computer before next render.
It’s what I did when I’ve got in similar situation. Playing with secret preferences may help you in a sense of increasing number of frames you can render at one session before AE crashes (I mean stops rendering) but it won’t solve your problem completely. Though after sometime you are gonna be sorry that you ever heard about those secrets 🙂
If it is general problem with all of your projects then nothing comes on my mind except – uninstall your CS3, restore your system to the date before initial installation and reinstall. -
as Viacheslav mentions, the secret prefs are secret for a reason…
i should have also stated that, if the purge frames setting helps you in this situation, once you rendered this project out, you should go back a delete the purge value that you entered to set it back to normal. you do not want to leave your ae configured this way. it will usually decrease system performance, so it should only be tried in a situation where the cache is filling up and not properly purging on its own.
Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW
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