CATIA cache system: How to speed up large assemblies and setup procedures

When dealing with large assemblies in CATIA, problems such as “models are heavy” and “startup takes a long time” can occur. The “cache system” helps to solve these problems. It handles only geometric information, making the data lighter and improving performance.

1. Causes of large assemblies becoming heavy
As the number of parts in CATIA increases, the amount of data to be loaded increases, and assembly operations become heavy. If history information is also included, the data volume increases further and work efficiency decreases.

 

2. Overview of the cache system
The cache system converts assembly parts into “CGR files (lightweight data containing only geometric information)” and displays them. This allows you to check the model without loading history information, improving startup speed and operability. It is particularly suitable for tasks where display confirmation is the main focus, such as design reviews.

 

3. How to set up the cache system
The steps to enable the cache system are as follows.

Check “Work using the cache system” in the “Tools” → “Options” → “Product Structure” → “Cache Management” tab.

Specify the destination to save the CGR file. It is easier to manage if you use separate folders for each project.

 

4. How to use the cache system
When the cache system is turned on, it loads CGR files and speeds up assembly launch. In normal mode, the history tree is visible, but in cache mode, only the assembly structure is displayed and cannot be modified.

 

5. What to do when modification is required
If you want to modify only specific parts, you can do so by following the steps below.

Right-click the part you want to modify → Select “Model” → “Design mode”.

This will load history information for only the necessary parts, allowing you to modify efficiently.

 

6. Summary
The cache system improves the loading speed and operability of large assemblies. It is especially effective for work that focuses on display confirmation. Even if modification is required, you can work efficiently by switching only the necessary parts to normal mode. Please try using it for your design work in CATIA.