I don't know if the manual cache caches photogrammetry data or just the satellite data for the mesh.

I DO know that offline, it uses manual cache data.  I have all of puget sound cached at low res and can clearly see the satellite data being used.  Since it's low res, it really looks like word not allowed until about 3000AGL, but so be it.

I did a test with data off in an area that I had never flown before and got no satellite data in that area at all.  So I do know manual caching makes a difference in the satellite data.  Now how good that area looks will depend on how much you've defined as Low, med and High.  Low can cover very large areas of low res satellite data, but it's going to look bad anything below 3000 ft.  Medium will be better, but it uses much more data.  High res looks the best, but It takes a TON of space.  

First and foremost, manual cache only caches photogrammetry data and not satellite data. If you try to cache only satellite data areas it will not save to the cache and you will get a low file size cache. See here for more details: https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/581360-manual-cache-current-issues-psa

Therefore, if you disable photogrammetry, in effect it will also disable all manual caches.

On the other hand, rolling cache does save satellite data. In fact it's the only way to save satellite data areas to storage at the moment.

 

I did some extensive testing on offline mode as well and found the following (using Steam version):

1. If you turn off online data, shut the game down and restart it, the game will only display generic offline data until you turn on online data.

2. If you started the game with online data turned off, and then turn on online data at any time in the game, any manual or rolling cache you have will begin loading into scenery. The saved cache will continue to load even after you turn off online data, until you restart the game with online data turned off.

3. If you started the game with online data turned on, saved cache will always load even after you turn off online data. If you restart the game with offline data still turned off, see 1 and 2.

This means rolling and manual cache is useless for the purposes of offline mode, as you need to be online for any of the cache to load in-scenery. I have yet to test if the cache will load with online data turned on while disconnected from the internet, however it's not even possible with the Steam version. The game won't even start in Steam offline mode.

3 hours ago, spacesimmer said:

First and foremost, manual cache only caches photogrammetry data and not satellite data. If you try to cache only satellite data areas it will not save to the cache and you will get a low file size cache. See here for more details: https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/581360-manual-cache-current-issues-psa

Therefore, if you disable photogrammetry, in effect it will also disable all manual caches.

Thanks for posting this. Your info is extremely valuable. Thank you again.

10 hours ago, spacesimmer said:

First and foremost, manual cache only caches photogrammetry data and not satellite data.

This is very useful info, thanks! It certainly explains the low manual cache sizes I got in many cities.

Ive got manual cache setup for some cities I visit often and I would argue it can be very useful for this. Without some destinations would be a no-go for me as either one of two happens:

1. Incomplete photogrammetry download turning cities into post-apocalyptic wastelands.

2. Loading data as I fly brings my system to a complete halt i.e. unflyable.

As for rolling cache however I haven’t found any clear benefit. 

At this point, manual cache is broken and completely useless for offline.