In previous versions, it became a ritual to regularly delete the contents of C:\Users\(name)\AppData\Local\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\Shaders. Do we still need to do that in V4?

 

12 minutes ago, Chapstick said:

In previous versions, it became a ritual to regularly delete the contents of C:\Users\(name)\AppData\Local\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\Shaders. Do we still need to do that in V4?

 

Why was that a ritual in the first place? I have never done that.

I've only ever deleted my shaders folder when installing a new graphics card... so that would be two times.

14 minutes ago, Chapstick said:

In previous versions, it became a ritual to regularly delete the contents of C:\Users\(name)\AppData\Local\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\Shaders. Do we still need to do that in V4?

 

It would probably be a good idea to clear the shader cache anytime you update your GPU drivers, as well as after initially installing software that introduces a large number of new textures to the sim environment, such as FTX Global Base, or new cloud sets by Rex, ASCA etc.

And, it certainly would be something to do if you see evidence of corrupted textures while using the sim.

Other than that, there is probably no reason to "routinely" clear the shader cache.

1 hour ago, Farlis said:

Why was that a ritual in the first place? I have never done that.

Based on recommendations from Elaine found here: 

 

1 hour ago, Chapstick said:

Based on recommendations from Elaine found here: 

 

What...?

 

Where on earth did you get that i's "recommended" to "routinely" delete them...? While it says *it won't hurt anything* if you do, it actually stresses this:

 

""But,  its only recommended really when............

 

It is recommended to delete the contents of your Shaders folder any time you change your Graphics card, update your Graphics driver, Make Graphic changes to your Sim or you install a new program or Ad On into Prepar3D.  The next time you start Prepar3D, your Shaders will Rebuild.  Personally, either way, i delete my Shader's ever week. ""

 

If she decides to do it every week due to some OCD or whatever like we all have one form or other of :) that's one thing, but she even starts saying it's only recommended in specific cases.

 

Thanks for asking this question, I didn't know we were supposed to do this after changing video cards.

Don't let the venom get to you, I appreciated the thread.

59 minutes ago, JRBarrett said:

It would probably be a good idea to clear the shader cache anytime you update your GPU drivers, as well as after initially installing software that introduces a large number of new textures to the sim environment, such as FTX Global Base, or new cloud sets by Rex, ASCA etc.

And, it certainly would be something to do if you see evidence of corrupted textures while using the sim.

Other than that, there is probably no reason to "routinely" clear the shader cache.

+1

I too would recommend clearing your shader cache each time you update your GPU drivers.  I had a problem where I would need to occasionally delete my shaders folder while I still had my GTX 670s in SLI.  If I didn't do this, I quite simply couldn't sim.  I now delete them whenever I update my drivers for my GTX 1080 Ti.  I've gotten into a habit of avoiding driver updates unless the update provides something beneficial for one of my games.