Studio 21.1.1
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SETUP & MEDIA

How to use render cache for heavy effects

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

Render cache stores processed frames so Resolve can replay expensive effects. Unlike proxies, it addresses processing after source decoding rather than simply substituting easier source files.

Before you begin

Have a project open and a short source clip on a mounted drive.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Resolve interface reference from manual page 203
Resolve interface reference from manual page 203 Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 203. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Choose Playback > Render Cache > Smart for automatic caching of demanding processing.
  2. Check Project Settings for the cache location and format. Use a fast writable drive with available space.
  3. Leave the difficult section idle long enough to cache. Watch the timeline cache indicator finish before judging playback.
  4. If automatic caching misses a specific clip, switch to User and enable the relevant clip or node cache option. Compare playback before and after it finishes.

Check your result

The cached section plays smoothly and updates after a visible change to its processing.

If it doesn’t work as expected

Editing an effect can invalidate cached frames. Repeatedly deleting the cache prevents it from providing the performance benefit you are testing.

BUILD THE UNDERLYING SKILL

Media, organized from the start

Go deeper with the course’s explanations, exercises, and knowledge checks.

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Technical reference: DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Reference Manual, Blackmagic Design, September 2026. Screenshot page numbers refer to that manual. Independently written guidance; specific controls may vary by platform and build. Authorship & image credits.