How caching works
Mounted Storage uses a disk cache (a segment of your own local storage) to store the parts of files you access. This cache system allows you to stream the mounted files directly to your desktop with no downloading necessary.
Additionally, cache allows for both read and write functions for better interactivity on your desktop.
It can read data pulled on demand as applications request it.
The data is written to cache first, then uploaded to Frame.io. There are no separate “local copies” beyond the cache.
Cache Settings
You can manage your cache from Frame.io Drive settings > Cache.
Disk Location - Choose the location where you want to save your cached files.
Allocated Size - Allocate the amount of hard drive space to utilize for cache. The larger the cache, the more temporary files you can store. (Note: You cannot set your cache beyond the available space on your machine.)
Utilization - Visualize the cache storage and where it comes from.
There are two types of cached data shown on utilization bar:
On-Demand: This shows the storage that is used for applications to request the file data.
Cached: This shows the storage used by manually selected files to cache. Click Add to Cache and choose the files you wish to store here. The pre-cached assets will be listed below the utilization bar. Click on the “x” next to the location to remove it from being pre-cached.
FAQ
Q: What drives are supported with Frame.io Drive?
A: Only drives formatted as APFS for Mac or NTFS for Windows are supported.
Q: Does Frame.io Drive cache the entire file?
A: No, it will only partially cache the file for whatever part of your media is being used, similar to buffering on a streaming video. This is best for when you are working with larger files but don’t want to cache the entirety of it.
Q: Does the mounted drive stream on demand or fully download files before preview?
A: It streams on demand. Files are fetched in chunks and cached locally as you browse or open them; pre-downloading entire files is not required.
Q: What is the minimum amount of cache that it can be set for in the settings?
A: 20 GB
Q: Can I set how much cache to store on my computer for frequently used files?
A: Yes. Frame.io Drive provides cache settings where users can choose a cache location and an allocation size. A larger cache improves performance for frequently accessed files.
Q: What cache setup is recommended?
A: Use an SSD (internal or external) for the cache—HDDs are not recommended for this workload. Avoid using exFAT formatting; use APFS on macOS or NTFS on Windows when possible and allocate as much cache space as the user can spare.
Q: Can I pre-cache/pin folders for an upcoming session (for example, an event or live production)?
A: Yes. Pre-caching is supported. Users can right-click files or folders in Finder or Explorer to pre-cache the data, effectively downloading the files before an application requests file data. Pre-caching helps ensure smooth performance on Wi-Fi or when bandwidth is limited.
Q: Should I worry if the on-demand cache fills up my SSD drive?
A: No. The cache will never fill up your disk and will always leave 20% available, regardless of
cache setting.